Tuesday, October 9, 2012

First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem

Hello my name is Veronica and I'm a hoarder. It might be time to call the television crew in.

This weekend I painted and re-arranged my living room. I spent 2 days on it and was sore by the time I was done (well mostly done). Luckily mom and sister took turns watching my Princess and little Nugget as the wonderful blogger at The Butter Ninja (I can't believe I don't know her name) referred to the baby. She wrote a post recently about being a craft hoarder and the funny thing is that I read it right after I had finished with my living room and had a discussion with Mom.

I was happy and feeling accomplished at the living room until Mom came up to me and said "Nice job. Is the garage (a.k.a the eBay room) next?" My response was "I'm getting to that." To which to proceeded to drag me into the garage and tell me "Watch out don't trip over that hundred dollar bill there. Or that one over there." No I do not have money all over my garage. At least not literally. But figuratively yes I do. Her point was each stack of treasures I have waiting to list on eBay is at least a hundred worth of merchandise if it was sold. And it won't get sold unless it gets listed. I tried to ignore her and sat down on my couch to catch up on blogs and I read The Butter Ninja's post. It was almost like she was yelling at me too (ok maybe that was just my guilt creeping up).

Of course I have a million excuses. I have a 3 year old and a baby. I work full time. I am busy. Last night I didn't get home until almost 8 pm. After work I took my girls to an appointment. Got home long enough to get my Princess dressed for gymnastics (a make up class). Then off to Target we went for more formula. Today is Parents as Teachers for my Princess. Tomorrow is PTA and ballet. Thursday it's more gymnastics. Friday I have a meeting with one of the social workers. I barely have time to breathe.

So my goal this week is to tackle my eBay room. To get it organized. Purge stuff that isn't selling, List as much as I can. Make it look presentable. Even if I only do 15 minutes here and there when I get a chance it's something and will add up. And if I don't start then I will never finish.

I'm curious how other people get motivated and keep up with it all. Everyone is so busy. Am I the only lazy one?

(I was going to include a picture of the garage but I was afraid it would give people nightmares).

8 comments:

  1. Goodness you are far from lazy! I work full time too, but no small children at home and have to push myself. I try to save listing for the weekend, then feel resentful thar I have to sit at a computer for long time like at work durinthe week. Mynewest appproach is to list 2-3 items in the mornin while drinking my coffee, and try to list a couple in the evening at some point. Surely this will make a dent in the piles!! LOL

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    1. You must be a morning person. As much as I would like to list in the morning my routine goes a little something like this: Hit the snooze one too many times, take the world's fastest shower, run around like a chicken with it's head cut off looking for keys and phone, jump in the car and make it to work barely at 7 am. Evenings are usually better for me. I just need to get back in the routine.

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  2. I have a part time job (3 hours a day) and one teenage child. I have no idea how I would have the time (or energy) to list on Ebay with a full time job and two little ones. No idea! How could you possibly think of yourself as lazy? But if you need motivation, well just think, there are only 75 days until Christmas. : )

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    1. Wow Lorraine I didn't know you had that mean side of you. I think I might go hide my head in the sand now. I don't even want to hear the word Christmas yet. But you do have a point. I have to get everything listed for the Christmas rush.

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    2. Sorry! I didn't mean to freak you out Veronica! Personally, I stop selling right before Black Friday. I take December off. But most sellers say they make the big bucks this time of year. I'm actually shocked at how fast the holidays are approaching. I can't handle it. I'm still lamenting summer's end.

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  3. I have three kids under 10 and your days sound like mine, it's always on the go and get in the car and we have to be somewhere! I find my store does so much better when my listing is consistent. I have one day a week I try to get 6-10 things listed and then the rest of the week I try to just get even 1-2 things listed. Makes me feel like I am accomplishing something but I'm not overwhelmed by a giant "to list" pile! Good luck!

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  4. Kristen - I do like your idea. If I only do 1-2 per day goal most days I should be able to do that very easily. And then have one big listing day. Small steps as long as I'm going in the right direction.

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  5. Hey-it's me Marla aka Butter Ninja.
    I swear I wasn't yelling at you,lol.
    I just had all these small mountains of future projects and supplies and thought,'Even if I wanted to make anything,I couldn't get to my space to find it or make it.Creating things used to give me so much pleasure,now it stresses me out.' That's when you know something's got to give.
    I had a similar moment last month in my playhouse(where I keep all my Ebay inventory) and purged two boxes.
    On listing, I go out to the playhouse with my camera,tape measure,scale,and a notebook while my youngest is outside.I have my little table set up outside with a tablecloth.Then I pull something out some stuff to list.After photographing the items,I will make a list in my notebook and note what it is,the color, the size, the weight,any flaws.I keep doing this with each item until I have a full page(about 25 items).It takes me about an hour or so to do that.When I'm done,all the stuff goes back into the playhouse.Then I will take my notes and list an item when I have a few minutes here and there.
    Anyone who still has one or more babies in diapers is not lazy in my book-they're exhausted.

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