Someone on one of my many mama-boards requested info on getting, and staying organized. I responded with the following message, and thought it might be helpful to whoever else might need it...Good luck!
Hi *****,
I would suggest not being so hard on yourself, for starters. In the grand scheme of things, organization probably isn't way up there on the list of the most important things, ever.
With that being said, take it one step at a time. My mother - an extremely organized person who has rubbed off on me immensely- has always said in times of overwhelming frustration "How do you eat an elephant? -- One bite at a time". Start with one corner. Just the corner. Even if you have to place things from that corner into another one, just empty that corner! Focus on your mission - to organize that one corner of that one room.
As hard as it will be, try not to get side-tracked! Dedicate a specific amount of time to this task – say, one hour, depending on the size of the mess. Over-estimate to be fair and not put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Get someone to watch the kids or keep them entertained to better ensure your success. After your timer or alarm goes off, stop. Relish in your humble progress. It’s a great start, trust me! The next time you have another hour, go at it again. Be a monster and relentlessly attack the hell out of that darn corner.
When you're taking something from that corner to wherever it's supposed to be (ie, trash, bookshelf, etc.) DO NOT pick up trash along the way, or a book to tag along to the bookshelf. Your mission is that one corner and nothing else until it is clear and organized.
I think you'll be surprised at just how quickly you can get it done. From there, work on just one more task. If you've accumulated a pile of legos, work on getting those legos put away - and nothing else, until the pile is cleared. When you've accomplished the majority of one room, don't give up! Don't take a break if you don't have to - but DO take a break if you're getting overwhelmed! There's no sense in organizing for peace of mind if you're driving yourself nuts in the process!
If storage is a problem, try Wal-Mart, The Container Store, or Ikea. Most places will provide customer service, if you go in and tell them what you need to contain and in what type of space. These days, there’s a cool container for just about anything. Try to keep in mind that the less you buy, the more you can store – instead of purchasing a bunch of pretty little wicker baskets, just get a plastic drawer set for a fraction of that price and stick it in a closet. Even Dollar stores carry those things now, so don’t be afraid to be “cheap” and compare prices – even for “cheap” items!
Dedicate a bag or box specifically for donations. Don't be afraid to fill more than one...in fact, the more you fill, the better off you'll be. In my opinion, we all accumulate so much STUFF that we don't truly NEED! As a crafter, I'm a good example - I have lots of arts and crafts JUNK that I haven't touched in forever. While I may have the best intentions for that junk, if I haven't touched in - let's say a year, to be fair - then it's probably useless. If it takes up too much space, it’s an unnecessary burden. Same goes for clothing, shoes - you name it.
If I could just lose some weight I could fit back into countless clothes. But if I get rid of them (via donations), I could clear my closet space, realistically, with newer, trendier, prettier, more appropriate clothing for my age. I may have loved those shoes, but since I haven’t worn them since I worked outside the home 2 years ago, I can give them away to someone who could love them again – now. You’d be surprised how a decent pair of shoes (even gently worn in) can help someone out, or make them feel better. If I need to work outside the home again, or dress professionally for whatever reason, I probably need to shop for a more appropriate size and newer style to really look nice, anyway.
I know this is a long post, and thanks for reading so far, but it’s seriously do-able…by YOU! If you can’t shop for a replacement wardrobe, consider selling your clothes. The types of stores that buy clothes (though I must admit, are stringent in their selection), can give you store credit (or cash) to turn around and shop right there – and they’ve got some nice stuff, too! I might go so far as to say that once you start shopping there, you’ll find it hard to pay full price, even for name brands, at department stores – knowing there’s a hole-in-the-wall shop just chock-full of the same trendy stuff at half the price!
And one more thing – when donating, I highly recommend choosing a shelter or advocacy group in your area. They are SO easy to find online, and usually have easy access for donation drop-offs or pick-ups. That way, you know someone won’t have to BUY your stuff, like at a Goodwill. It’ll actually go straight to someone who needs it, now. And you’ll be so much better off, clearer and de-cluttered!
As far as setting up routines, pick a chore - like dishes, and start a new routine that works for you and your family. Try to get EVERYONE involved. My family loves piling the dirty dishes next to the sink. I even seem to not mind adding to it. Since I can't stand finding the dirty dishes that my son "washes", and my husband can't be counted on to do it regularly, I've opted to utilize my dishwasher – because someone put it there for a reason. I have everyone rinse their dishes after using them, and throwing them into the dishwasher. I read somewhere that using dishwashers actually tends to use less water than hand-washing them, which is just another reason to love that big hunk of appliance under my counter. So we fill it all day and run it at night. You'll want to invest in a decent detergent, but that's a nice trade-off for the time spent and aching feet and/ or back, scrubbing and scouring, weakened nails and smelly sponges! The Dollar Stretcher has a nice blog on that subject: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/02/02dec09b.cfm. I've heard that those powerball things are effective, but you can read more on that at: http://housekeeping.about.com/od/takingcareofdishes/tp/dishwasherdeter.htm. And while you’re at it, check out: http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_dishes_for_pennies.
I don’t know anyone (except for that guy in American Psycho – pun unintentionally intended!), who doesn’t have clutter. You will have off-days and there will always be a pile of something – clean or dirty laundry, trash, dishes, etc. Just take one thing at a time, and remember that you’re not alone! I’m not an expert, but I do know organization! Please let me know if you ever need help!! In the meantime, I hope this helps.
Best Wishes,
Angelica
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