For many years, I have labeled myself as anal-retentive.  I think it surprises people when I use the term but I know it is who I am.

Today after coming back from a very brisk, chilly walk with my dog, I noticed our pool was filled with leaves.  We have a pool sweep but I could see the bag was full.  I know our pool service will be here later today but I couldn’t walk away from it.  So I pulled out the sweep, emptied the bag (which is very messy and had a critter in it) and started the process of skimming the pool.

I found it therapeutic and relaxing in the cold sunshine on this Wednesday morning.

The more leaves I swept up and emptied into the basket, the better I felt!  It made me stop and wonder just how many other people would stop what they are doing in a hectic day to clean their pool.

After referring to myself as anal retentive for so long, I decided to look up the meaning:

The Urban Dictionary states, “a term used to refer to a person who feels a need to be in control in all aspects of his or her surroundings.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary states “extremely or overly neat, careful or precise.”

The psychoanalysis definition lists as an adjective, “excessively orderly and fussy” and as a noun, “a person who is excessively orderly and fussy.”

I operate at a high level in taking care of all the details.  It has served me very well in my career as a designer / stager and now as a Realtor.  Those who know and work with me have a level of trust that everything will always get done!

It was part of my childhood as I grew up in a family who operated at this same level – super clean house, super clean barn, super clean cars.

It is also exhausting and something I work on every year …

My kids will say that they are happy to clean up their rooms but it is never to my standard.  My husband loves to help around the house and will fold the laundry and make the bed.  And while I appreciate his efforts, I always want to go back and re-do it BUT the break through is that I DON’T!!

Chaos is not my friend but I strive to add a little here and there from time to time!   But don’t expect to find dirty dishes in my sink or the sofa pillows out of place!