No...it's not a typo. I'm not referring to your husband, boyfriend or troublesome brother. I'm talking about the post, and the clutter it inevitably brings, muddling your mind and overwhelming your ability to cope.
I actually have a phobia of the mail box. Even when I'm expecting something great to come, and especially during the holidays.
As I hit the "create" button for the new blog, I hear a pounding and a kick on the back door.
"Oh, that's Caleb, I just sent him to get the mail." I say to his sisters, hurrying to open the door.
The door opens and envelopes fall all over the floor. Plus, both of this poor boy's arms of are overflowing with weekly adds and other proliferous papers. First world problems. I know. Google it.
"Did you drop any on the road?" I ask. The mail box is far down our dirt road.
"Yeah, like 3 times," is his surly response.
I laugh at the sight of mail falling from his arms to the table to the floor. I'm not helping.
Still stifling a snicker, I say, "I'm sorry. I should have sent you with a bag."
"How about..." I detect restraint in his halting, measured tone. "When we haven't checked the mail for like 3 months, we don't send one kid...by himself... to get it."
What I don't say is this. "You know I am actually afraid of the mail box. Do you know why? Because it contains all the trappings of adult responsibility, paired with other peoples' junk I don't know what to do with (we recently moved), bills and notices and reminders of all the stuff I need to do and all the details I hate to deal with. So, if I only get it every few weeks, it's like it's not there. I owe you an appology because this is my failing as a mom. Failing to get paper under control. Also, failing to teach you and your sibling, by example, how to get paper under control. Nevermind actually attending to the business of each item. It's bad, but I hate sorting through mail. I much prefer denial."
Instead I say, "You're right, Caleb. I'm sorry."
He walks away.
Minutes later he returns, smiling and talking about getting ready to go to his play. If only all frustrations and failings were so easily forgiven and forgotten.
And, in case you are wondering, this story does have a point. If you, are like me with an aversion to mail and papery clutter, you need to make a new ritual. Once a week (if you can get away with it because most of your bills are automated and nobody really sends you anything so pressing), clear your schedule for a good 30 minutes and take the following steps. There are only five of the because after that, I lose interesting any process more complicated:
1. Make a strong cup a joe (that's hot cocoa, or diet coke on ice, in Utah)
2. Say some positive affirmations, give yourself a stirring pep talk, and go check the mail. "I fee peace with every piece of mail I encounter...om..."
3. Bring the mail in, sort what you can immediately into the shredder/recycle bin. Or, in our case, we are pyros and like to burn paper clutter.
4. Make every phone call about things you have to follow up on, right now!
5. File (that is a vile four letter word in my book) what you may need to attend to later, and then don't think about it again for another week. Keep only items that you would be required to show as proof of payment, receipt, or in case of audit.
NOTE: If you call someone with questions, note the person's name and details of the conversation on the piece of mail, then put it away for future reference.
Lifehacker has a great list of what to keep and what to get rid of, here:
http://lifehacker.com/5977082/what-documents-should-i-shred-and-what-should-i-keep
The photo above comes from a great article abt downsizing your mail on your computer's inbox:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-11/e-mail-in-box-clutter-an-appreciation
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