Hasta La Ideas

I’ve been composing this post in some form in the comments for years. I know that most of our readers don’t read the comments, so I’ve felt comfortable dropping bits and pieces in there. I’ve also talked about it in one interview, but that was also years ago, and I think most people missed it. I don’t like to talk about it publicly, but I’m going to. It’s time.

I’m physically handicapped.

I qualify for a handicapped license plate and I took special education gym classes in elementary school and employers have to legally accommodate for my special needs. I have a genetic disorder that makes my physical life frustrating and complicated.

That being said, most people who have even met me in the world beyond the computer screen have no idea. I’ve been on national television and millions of viewers have missed it. The reason most people have no idea is because I am very good at hiding my affliction. I’m not ashamed of my disability, I simply refuse to let it be what defines me or let it get in my way.

I have an extremely rare skin disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa (I think there are less than 3,000 of us in the world). Specifically, I have the Dominant Dystrophic form of EB. It sucks. It is not something you want. Low levels of friction can tear the skin right off my body. My 2-year-old son stepped on my foot the other day and degloved the skin completely off my big toe. I’ve been injured doing boring things like brushing my hair and walking. I regularly get blisters the size of silver dollars, and larger. I have gnarly scars all over my body and am usually wearing one or two bandages every day. Sometimes an injury is so bad that I’m confined to bed or a wheelchair. I live in constant risk of injury and infection.

I should also note that I have a better-than-average form of the disorder. I’m over 30 and I’m alive. I have a normal life expectancy as long as I stay as healthy as possible (the healthier I am, the easier it is to heal). I work for a company that offers a group health insurance plan, so I have access to medical care I can afford. I’m also surrounded by caring family and friends who provide support whenever I need it.

So what does this have to do with uncluttering? To quote Carl Jung out of context, it means “nothing and everything.” It means nothing because my reasons for being an unclutterer have very little to do with your reasons. We each come to this site for whatever desire propels us.

Conversely, my handicap means everything to uncluttering. It’s a good bet this site and my book wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for EB. When I was born, not a lot was known about my disorder. Doctors told my parents and me that I would likely die during childhood. And, to be fair to the doctors, many people with my disorder do die during childhood. What the doctors didn’t know at the time, though, was that not all cases of EB are created equally. My exact mutation of the disorder is kinder to its victims. Regardless, I woke up every morning of my childhood thinking that today might be the day I die.

Obviously, today could be the day anyone dies. We are all mortals. But, even so, most of us don’t wake up each day consumed with thoughts of our deaths. These thoughts have manifested in me an uncontrollable pursuit for the most remarkable life I can fit into whatever time I have on this planet. I am not willing to let anything — clutter, someone else, fear — distract me from the life I desire. Additionally, I want to help other people realize that they can clear the clutter and pursue the life they desire, too, but without having to be obsessed with thoughts of their own mortality.

Life, even if we live to be more than 100, is short. Doodads and trinkets and stress and things we don’t want in our lives shouldn’t keep us from the things that really matter. We all should be able to fill our time with moments of happiness, being responsible for those we love and cherish, and living a fulfilling life.

If it weren’t for my frustrating genetic disorder, I doubt I would have the view of life that I do. I’m sure it would have been easier for me to be caught up in the mundane, to pretend that I’m immortal, and to waste my time on things that don’t matter to me. Am I glad I’m handicapped? No. But I realize that being so has benefited me in unconventional ways, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Whatever reason brings you to this site and wanting to rid your life of clutter, I hope my advice and the advice of others in the comments and on the forums is helpful. My hope is that our community helps you discover a way to get rid of distractions and pursue the life of your dreams.

Like this site? Buy Erin Rooney Doland’s Unclutter Your Life in One Week from Amazon.com today.