It seems like the more I see the inside of other people's houses, the more I know what a house should look like.  Sounds bad, but it's true.  I can't think of a time when I had true structure, and it's difficult (but not impossible) to change things once you've lived a certain way for so many years.  When I was really young, I think things were pretty decently organized in the house, but it got worse as I grew older.  It all fell apart.

It's been so long since I've posted that I really can't remember what I've said, so forgive me if this is a repost of sorts.

If you were to see the inside of my mom's kitchen right now, you would probably find, on the counters, food, junk mail, cooking utensils spread out, cut up fruit or some ready to eat thing, a rarely lit candle, at least one vegetable she's trying to grow in a tupperware of water, dried seeds from tomatoes, peppers or whatever floats her boat, a book, mascara, lotion, maybe a toothbrush, nail file, a towel that you wonder if it's clean, Kleenex, matches...  Yes, it's true.  There is so much stuff scattered on the counters, that it's hard to do anything, because when you try to do something, you have to move the stuff around and there isn't a clear space to put it!  Every space is covered.  Few things have "homes."  She claims she needs a larger house...I think, no, I know, she needs less stuff.

I am afraid of ending up this way...I WON'T  END UP THIS WAY.  It's honestly a miserable way to live.

I actually can't tell you how many things the house has "eaten."  It could almost be in your face, and you wouldn't even know it because there is so much stuff that it all gets camouflaged.  So sad.

Anyhow, I've seen the way people keep their houses, and I have watched YouTube videos so have a pretty good idea of how things "should" be...well, if you want to be sane.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm a born organized person (because I love order!), but just one that has WAY too many belongings to keep straight.  Is this possible?

Tired of STUFF running my life.

*What can I get rid of?  I will donate one pair of shoes I've kept for the winter...but haven't actually used them for about two years.  They will go in the bag that has been ready to go to the donation center for about a month or so; it's currently cluttering my floor.