It is the time of year when all the leaves have turned orange, football is on TV and kindergarteners are learning how to make hand turkeys. In other words, it is almost Thanksgiving. So I want to start by thanking the one thing that has stuck with me through it all: my messy room.
My parents often complain about the mountains of clothes and stacks of books and binders littering my floor. To be fair, I doubt even a professional storm chaser could harness the tornado that appears to have destroyed my room. However, I would argue that there is comfort and, believe it or not, some structure to the chaos.
I have learned not to view my messy room as a burden that needs fixing. Instead, I allow it to relieve some of the stress that would otherwise consume me. I do not feel bad about adding to the mess, because I know I will eventually conquer it. For the time being, I am just thankful I have a place to bury some of the stressors in my life.
So thank you, messy room, for easily producing last-minute outfits when I wake up late for school. When I am rushing to get to the MRC early to study, a sweatshirt from one heap on the floor and leggings from another does the trick every time.
Thank you, messy room, for the comforting bed I can jump right into after school. The cushiony pillows absorb some of my exhaustion, and the unmade covers look so much more inviting after an action-packed day.
Thank you, messy room, for a floor I can toss my notebook onto after finishing my U.S. history notes at midnight. The convenience of throwing items aside rather than taking the time to put them away allows me to go straight to sleep.
By adding to the mess rather than cleaning my room when I am feeling overwhelmed, I stop my stress from consuming me. After completing my homework late at night, I do not have to spend another hour organizing my desk. When I am hurrying out the door, I do not have to worry about what I am going to wear. My messy room saves me from wasting time or creating additional anxieties amidst the chaos in my life.
This system has proven beneficial to relieving some of my burdens, and I advise others to find a similar structure that gives some method to their madness. Finding a space or routine that can save time or bring peace to an otherwise overwhelming day is essential to maintaining a happy and sustainable life.
For me, it is my messy room, but for others, it can come in a variety of forms. Maybe it is getting Starbucks before school for an energy boost after a late night. Or it could be playing video games with friends instead of checking PowerSchool for the test grade that just came out. Ordering food from a restaurant rather than cooking dinner could also relieve some stress.
As you make hand turkeys and embrace this Thanksgiving season, it is important to be grateful for all of the support systems that relieve stress in your life. I will be sure to thank my messy room this Thanksgiving, and maybe you should too.