If you need a visual of the Simple Steps for Organization there it is! Take a look and let me know!
Happy organizing!
Decluttering
Oh my. This is one of the most important parts of the organization process. We are all guilty of not throwing stuff out when we needed to. And things build up over time. It doesn’t take long for there to be 30, 60, or 100 papers on your desk or even the counter. The dropping place for the mail? Or the entry way? Maybe its the coffee table in the living room? On the kitchen table? Where ever it is, take a look at it. Is it stuff you don’t need? Or is it stuff that you need to take care of? Or maybe its someone’s business card that you haven’t gotten around to. or maybe its photos from that wedding you went to last weekend. No matter the pile, its manageable. It’s totally possible to do things that look overwhelming. You just have to start. You can put in 5 minutes or you can put in 50. It is up to you how much you want to put in (or how much you have to go through).
Over the past summer my desk became a dumping grounds for every letter I got in the mail, every card, all the college information, receipts, pens and pencils, small notes – everything was on my desk. I will be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to going through it. But why did I pile it all up if I knew I wouldn’t want to go through it later? Anyway, I spent 5 minutes or less and just went through the pile. I sorted out the stuff I didn’t need anymore that goes in the garbage, the stuff I have to file away, and the stuff that needs to be put somewhere else. It was easy! It should never be hard if you have the right space.
Recently I spent 2 minutes and put everything away on my desk and that was all I needed!
After I sorted things out I was ready to move on to something else.
Taking a quick second to put things in their place is relaxing and prevents problems in the future. Put things where you want them so, when the time comes, you know right where to find them.
Declutter. Clean. Organize.
Keeping stuff you don’t need. Everyone does it – don’t lie! I do it too. Somethings hold memories others hold value. I want to simplify things, and you should too. Life should be easier if you don’t have to dig through a drawer. By doing a couple of things we can make our lives simpler.
Declutter. You can go 2 ways with this one – you can pull everything out (1 drawer at a time; don’t overwhelm yourself with the whole desk!). Or you can do one part at a time, this way you can stop and start when you have the time. Start with one shelf on the bookshelf instead of the entire bookshelf ( just because your goal is to organize a whole room doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once). If you do the whole thing at one time you will become overwhelmed. You are more likely to want to take a break if you pull everything out at once.
If that means your closet is in need of a cleansing then take a minute or as long as you need to open up that closet and do a section of it. Maybe only focus on the things hanging up. Then look into then stuff on the top shelf. Then look into the bottom of the closet – I know, I know, things pile up down there. Try going through it. Decluttering is when you have a chance to throw away, donate, or find a different home for things. Maybe this will help:
1. Throw away stuff that is: garbage, broken (and you won’t fix it for your use), old – expired papers with past due dates (exceptions include: school work, finace paperwork, binding contracts, stuff you need to keep for records, etc…), undergarments (never donate theses!), there is always more to toss out, but this is a start!
2. Donate stuff that: is in good condition that you have no interest in anymore, clothes that don’t fit, books, and so much more-just think before you send it away!
3. Find a different home for things that: you know someone will appreciate or someone is looking for. Make sure you ask before dropping off a whole bunch of stuff!
Clean. Always start with cleaning before you organize. Clean your bedroom, clean the bathroom, clean the closet, clean the kitchen, the living room – what ever you are going to organize. Clean the space so you don’t distract yourself from doing the task at hand.
Organize. Don’t know where to start? That’s why I suggested you start small. One drawer at a time, one shelf at a time, one cabinet at a time, see where this is going? Make it easier on yourself and do one little part of a big project before you move on.
More organization things are on the way, have to get you the best stuff before I put it up for you here!
Good luck and happy organizing!
Lists lists everywhere!
Hi, nice to see you! Here it is-lists! Can’t start anything without an idea or outline about what you are going to do. Lists are the heaven to people that have chaotic minds (like mine).
For as long as I remember I have been surrounded by lists! My mother writes lists everywhere and are very unorganized. Maybe her unorganization has pushed me to be organized…hum…interesting thought.
Everyday I start with a list, but my most important ones start on Sunday. I am a student so most of the material I need to cover comes out on Sundays (or Monday mornings). Late Sundays I take a piece of paper and write the tasks that I need to do for that subject for that week. I write the due dates or the last dates things are open online. When I cross things off I feel accomplished and relieved that I am one step closer to being done! Stress is something that is unnecessary and uncomfortable. Having a list of things or a strict guideline of things you need really helps you focus!
{Especially when it’s all divided for you! Check out theses notepads from knockknockstuff.com I purchased these at Target for a gift for my mom and she uses them a lot! And they look pretty awesome.}
Being unorganized can create a stressful environment if you can’t find anything. No one enjoys stress, so let’s get organized one step at a time (or one list at a time). Lists can be for one type of things (grocery shopping) or for many things (what you are going to do today). A list that covers everything (that you are free to printout) from thecreativityexchange.com is pretty interesting. Lists come in all different shapes and sizes-this one happens to be a little bit of everything! Hope it helps you out if you are interested!
No matter your list type-paper, printout, or maybe digital, you are ready for the day. Lists give you an opportunity to set little (or BIG) goals for yourself and feel the accomplishment of crossing it off (that’s why I enjoy paper).
I hope you have something you need to do (writing a list perhaps?), either way hope you reach your daily goal and reduce some stress! Take a second and make some little goals for yourself. Maybe it will help, as long as you don’t lose it…but that’s another thing entirely.
Have fun and happy organizing!
Just a quick update:
If you want a a list that will brighten your day try the ones available at cleanmama.net! They will brighten your day with rainbows and colors!
If you are looking for an app that you can carry with you anywhere, try Google Keep! It’s been keeping me on task lately and works wonderful with Apple or Android!
Welcome!
Hi! Nice to see you here! Hopefully this blog will help you organize or inspire something in your life – at least that’s my goal!
Organization has been a passion of mine, but others might say its an obsession. Either way its all in order, right? Well it should be anyway…
I don’t even know where to start, well I will start with a list and see where that takes me – goals are always important (especially ones you can cross off!).
“It always seems impossible until its done.” – Nelson Mandela
Hope everything goes well for you!
Good luck and happy organizing!
Simply Straight Organization 