I’m ashamed. Ashamed of the dust. Ashamed of the clutter. Ashamed that I do not, that somehow I cannot, bring myself to keep my house clean.
This afternoon, as I sat working at our dining room table, my husband just touched the dusty lamp above me, and I started coughing, choking, asthmatic that I am.
My son suffers with eczema, with asthma, as do I. Still I leave the dust undisturbed, afraid of another asthma attack.
Too ashamed to ask for help. Too ashamed to hire help. Too ashamed to let anyone in. Too overwhelmed to attack the job myself.
Now my husband Nick chokes and coughs himself, as he cleans the lamp of its dust. Thank you, Nick, for all that you do.
I am Ashamed
About the Author: Kitt O'Malley
Bipolar Writer & Mental Health Advocate
Related Posts
42 Comments
Join the conversation. Leave a comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hahaha A good husband right there! 😉
Yes, I’m blessed. He’s loving and hard-working.
Good to know! Enjoy 🙂
Hi Kitt,
I, too, have a HUGE problem with dusting. it is the one chore I hate doing. Where does it come from! I’ve been thinking about getting an air purifier. I found one on Amazon that is highly rated by the consumer. One consumer reported (in the questions section) that it gets rid of 2/3 of the dust in the air. Gotta love that. Check it out!
http://smile.amazon.com/GermGuardian-AC4825-Cleaning-Reduction-22-Inch/dp/B004VGIGVY/
Thanks.
We live in Southern California. It’s dry here.
Kitt – I’m so happy you said thank you to your husband for all that he does. Those words are magic to a lovers/partners ears. My theory is that you do the best you can and leave the rest. A professor once asked me, “Do you want it to say on your tombstone; below the dirt is the best housekeeper in the world.” Of course I don’t want that for my legacy and with the work I read you are doing, you have far more to offer the world than a clean house.
I like a clean house the same as the nest person and decided a cleaning service simply had a skill set that enabled them to do a better job than I can. It also forces me to keep my clutter in pile management instead of spread everywhere.
Clutter is my bain.
I understand. My brain deals with what’s called fibro fog (fibbromyalgia) plus a large number of traumatic brain injuries. None add up to make for an organized life.
You could’ve fooled me, Sheri. Your writing is quite organized.
That’s only because everything goes on a yellow legal pad first. I don’t think I’ll ever write anything longer than 2 paragraphs without an outline.
I write by editing. Over and over again.
Yes, yes and yes. I may be writing a blog that represents me. We each do when we push that publish button. I know I miss things but it bothers me when I catch them later. I guess it’s better to catch them months later than to have a mistake hang forever.
You are not alone Kitt. I have become so slovenly throughout the years. Dust is but one of the many things that go untouched in my home when needing cleaning….you should see my toilets. Feel better now?
My toilets could use a cleaning, too. Clutter is a huge problem.
Believe it or not Swiffers are great for dusting. I get all runny nose and eyes but when I use a Swiffer it really doesn’t bother me nearly as much. Also clean with a damp paper towel. It grabs the dust before it can fly off. I would hate to have anyone look at my ceiling fans. They are terrible. I have to get up there. And my vacuum needs to come out of the closet! So, I think we all have been there at least once with the dirt. It happens.
Yes, microfiber dusting cloths work, too. Still, I don’t use them. Part of the problem is that I get overwhelmed. I cannot break down the problem into small bite-sized tasks. I see one thing connecting to another and find myself paralyzed.
It is okay. Same thing happens to me.