I have several springtime reorganization projects that I need to tackle. I’m never lukewarm about these projects. I either look forward to them or dread the entire thing.
Yesterday the workshop became the target of my attention. I’m in the shop so often I’m especially aware when its typical clutter descends into chaos. I estimated that I’d spend an hour sorting out the tools I rarely use, putting them into labeled drawers, and move on to another project.
That was ten in the morning. At ten in the evening, I still had work to do. As usual, bumping one thing to make room for another created a cascade effect. Each little cascade resulted in one or more items that needed relocation.
Why do I persist in mentally oversimplifying complexity? Blanket statements are dangerous, but I feel safe saying that some of this is avoidable. Have you heard of the “seven P’s” – Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance? My goal was to clean and reorganize; honestly, there are several hours of work left.
Here’s a nice German word for you: schlimmbesserung. It means an effort to make things better that ends up making them worse. Enough said.
Louis N. Carreras, Woodcarver 
Been there. Huge thanks for the German vocab. Have a good day!
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I loved this! I understand completely and saved your 7 words for later. We often call it fluffing the Chi around here. It seems to happen so often and still trying to find homes for things as I must make room once again for my sister. Schlimmbesserung is a word I did not experience in my childhood but will keep it in my data base as an adult. Probably have plenty of occasions to use that word now. 😉
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I think the term is of relatively recent coinage. I just love the concept, it’s accurate.
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Have you actually made it worse, though? It sounds like you’ve made it better but you just underestimated the task. 😊
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I just spent an hour working on it. My cat briefly made an appearance to express disdain at the dirt I generated, my wife wants to get out of the house, and it’s still a mess. Eventually, it will all settle out, but I am promising not to do any workshop rehabs for a while. You are correct; I underestimated. by a lot.
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I think we can all relate to cleaning episodes such as yours, but when it’s all finally done, it is such a feeling of accomplishment. When a space is tidy and organized, we are way more positive and productive. Enjoy your ‘new’ space!
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