I have nothing but paper!!
Webmaster December 5th, 2007
Cindy L.
I have always enjoyed packing my room. It is rather therapeutic, as if sorting out and reorganizing my life, so that I may ‘forget’ the previous mess and start life on a new note the next day.
Today, I pack my room again. With the hope of clearing away some of the things I do not need, to make my room less cluttered. And maybe leave my life less cluttered. Over time, I have learnt to accumulate less. Nonetheless, my room always ends up being cluttered. Particularly, with paper - notes from work, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, reference documents, mail.
Today, as I looked at the pile of unread newspapers lying in my room, I had an insight. The papers were set them aside (from the pile that is due for recycling) so that I could read them when I have time. Some articles in those papers caught my attention previously, but somehow, I didn’t have the time or energy or mood to read them. But I recall how they have been lying in my room for several weeks. When will I be free to read them?
On weekdays, I would be so tired from work to plough through some of the more thought-provoking articles. On weekends, I just wanted a mind free of worldly concerns and enjoy a simple and leisurely day. It is only when I am on vacation (mind you, a one-week vacation at least), that I would have more time for these articles. But how often do such occasions come by? At the most, three times a year. No wonder my room is so cluttered!
Not only does physical clutter complicates life. Mental clutter has the same effect. In this case, I am always burdened by thoughts that I have stuff I need to read, so that I can increase my general knowledge or perspective.
Maybe a better alternative is not to keep such materials beyond a week. Either I find some time to read the materials within a week, or off they go to the recycling bin. I just have to remind myself that the materials may become obsolete anyway, after such long periods from their publishing dates. At the same time, if the materials are really important, I should then make it a point to read it there and then. It will make a good habit, both in keeping my room less cluttered, and in helping me improve my knowledge. Now the challenge is to live by my decision.