Chaos? Bring it on!

“If chaos is a necessary step in the organization of one’s universe, then I was well on my way.” ~Wendelin Van Draanen

Talk about chaos? Nearly every room in our house is being repainted, which means we’re living in a state of perpetual disorder. Following the schedule of our painters, we’ve been moving all of our stuff — including furniture — from room to room for the past two weeks. Last week, our living room looked like a ransacked junk shop while the painters worked in the dining room and kitchen.

But after years of living through various home improvement projects (see page 14 in my book, Writing Home), I’ve learned that there’s opportunity in chaos and upheaval. For instance, after each room gets its fresh coat of paint, my husband and I clean the furniture, artwork, and knick-knacks before we return everything to its place.

It’s also an opportunity to reconsider or simply appreciate what we own. Before I put something back, I question whether we truly need it, or if it would function better somewhere else. In the process, I’m filling bags and boxes with items I plan to give to friends or family, or donate to a charity. It’s a lot of work, yes, but I find it rewarding too. ~CL

*** Building a larger audience for “Life Lines” will help keep my monthly costs down and allow me to keep providing free email subscriptions in 2026. Please invite your friends to subscribe.