Staff Writer - Katrin Callender
Some years ago, a friend decided it would be funny to call me Mrs. Monk. True, I was, and remain a fan of the series and of the cast but this was not the reason. This nickname was given because I cleaned regularly. And not just at home. Daily, after lunch at school, I would go about the tables where friends were seated and offer to help them clean.
Sometimes, I had a bag into which they could discard the things they would no longer use. When out shopping or relaxing, I would keep hand sanitizer, soap and tissue handy and regularly wash up. And at home, I would wipe down surfaces and items that were used regularly. I would do laundry and wash the dishes frequently. I would also take note of any tips provided on talk shows, the news or other media. There are individuals who see me straightening up a room that I have been using, at school or the library perhaps. Their first thought is that it is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
The thing is, I am not qualified to say whether I have this disorder or not. My purpose in doing this is twofold and simple. First, I like my surroundings clean and tidy. I think of the good reputation that has followed me and I see this as another way in which to maintain it. To date I have a cousin who swears that I destroyed a book and I cannot remember a thing. Yet it will be one of the things she associates with me. That one bit of criticism I received about my care of the object, ensured that I would always be careful to return things as borrowed or leave spaces as they have been found.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Second, I view spaces as an extension of the mind. I struggle to work well where there is chaos. For me, a disorganized room feels just as frustrating as confusion does. When we go back and forth, trying to do what is best for everyone, or to do that ever-so-elusive ‘right thing’, we feel stagnant and so, trapped. The air is thick and we cannot breathe. Conversely, a cleansing shower or a clutter-free desk is an invitation to be productive or creative or to begin anew. It is metaphor and motivation combined. It is empowering, because few situations provide us with the chance to restructure our surroundings to suit our taste.
Numerous resources on meditation, as well as motivational speakers, share similar ideas. They suggest that we must clean up our lives or change our perception or optimize our resources. The sense of clarity and pride that follows these simple chores, in addition to the knowledge that I am engaging in any activity rather than being stagnant, never fails to help me get up, get started and accomplish my goals!
