Chapter 1: An Unexpected Holiday Experience

The holidays took an unexpected turn for me this year. Instead of celebrating with family in Florida, I found myself confined to my room in Chicago, battling COVID-19. The first three days blurred together as I spent most of my time asleep, occasionally waking up for binge-watching sessions of "White Lotus" (which I absolutely loved) and "Harry & Meghan" (which was less enjoyable but still hard to resist).

On the fifth day, I finally mustered the energy to get out of bed and confront the chaos in my closet. Open boxes littered the floor, remnants of our move from New York over a year ago. These boxes contained a mishmash of items: outdated magazines from 2019, Ziploc bags filled with useless keys, and a possibly broken teardrop-shaped humidifier.

Suddenly, despite feeling unwell, the urgency to tackle this mess surged within me. I implemented a simple sorting method: keep or discard—no room for indecision. I knew that exhaustion would soon set in, and this realization was oddly freeing.

The magazines were quickly tossed into recycling, and I sifted through frames and keepsakes, retaining only those that truly mattered. I finally let go of a collection of random electrical adapters. Within just a couple of hours, the closet floor was clear, leaving me feeling triumphant as I returned to my bed.

My sister, who had also caught COVID during her recent visit, was experiencing similar fatigue. We established a WhatsApp routine for evening video calls, often laughing at our mirrored appearances: both lounging in bed with pillows stacked behind us. When I playfully asked about her day, expecting to hear about her latest binge, she surprised me by saying, "I cleaned out my closet."

It seems that both of us seized the opportunity to declutter because we had little else to occupy our time. However, I believe there’s a deeper significance. We both understood that organizing our spaces could provide a form of healing for our souls. This wasn’t about the trendy tidying philosophy of Marie Kondo but rather about the relief that comes from freeing ourselves from burdensome clutter, allowing us to gain a clearer perspective on our lives.

A more organized environment can alleviate the chaos within us, offering numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, such as improved focus and better sleep. Additionally, tidying can help us manage our emotions by encouraging us to slow down and breathe. Addressing clutter can even mitigate respiratory issues.

Interestingly, cleaning can trigger the release of endorphins, which are known to reduce stress and pain. As Elle Woods famously stated in "Legally Blonde," “Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands; they just don’t.”

As for me, I’m feeling much better now and have continued my organizational journey. I tackled the kitchen pantry next, and I couldn't be prouder of the outcome.

Chapter 2: The Ongoing Journey of Organization

In this video, titled "I had covid during the holidays here's me cleaning up the aftermath (CLEANING MOTIVATION)," the creator shares their personal experience of cleaning while recovering from illness, showcasing the emotional release and satisfaction that comes from decluttering.

The second video, "HUGE CLOSET CLEANOUT 2021 | Nicole Laeno," highlights an inspiring closet cleanout process, emphasizing the transformative power of organization and its benefits on mental well-being.

My bathroom countertops are no longer cluttered with half-used Mucinex boxes and dental care samples. My workspace has been simplified to just my laptop, a notepad, and a stylish ceramic pen holder, rather than being overwhelmed by disorganized papers and leftover gum.

While I wouldn’t wish illness on anyone, sometimes the reactions we have to unfortunate events can lead to unexpected positive outcomes. Six weeks later, I’ve set my sights on organizing the garage next.