Getting Your Act Together in 2010 (and a Giveaway!)
Well, I’ll bet many of you within the sound of my voice…uh…er…I mean within the reach of my typing fingers :-) have vowed to get organized in 2010. I have chatted here in the past randomly about both managing your time and organizing your stuff. Well, this year, I want to talk more purposefully about both of those topics; topics which often trip a sister up, causing her frustration and resulting in lost items, missed appointments and late fees.
I hate to see tripped-up sisters. And I hate when I trip up in these areas too, which I still do more often than I’d like.
So, to kick us off here in 2010, lets pinky promise that we will be intentional about getting our acts together. And let’s make it fun too. I will be giving away a signed copy of my book The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized to one gal who leaves a comment on this post. ( It is worth a quarter more at your garage sale someday if it is signed ;-)) Along with it, I’ll include a Fresh Linen Soy Candle by For Every Body’s. (It is too cute. It has a little clothes pin floating in the top of the wax and smells like freshly laundered clothes. It just screams ‘clean’!) And I’ll tuck in an individual packet of Chocolate Supreme Hot Cocoa Mix from Private Selection.
So, the winner can burn her candle, causing her house to smell all fresh and tidy while she sips on the cocoa and reads the book. Oh, and at some point you’ll actually want to get up and implement the organizational ideas, so don’t get too comfy!
I covered today’s topic once before a long time ago, but it is so foundational that it is worth repeating. So, here we go….
I have the immense pleasure of chatting with hundreds of women every year at my events. So many of you are at such a loss as to what to do with your ”stuff”. And by “stuff” I mean the many piles I see. Piles of paper, piles of kids’ items, piles of assorted kitchen clutter, why, even piles of fabric!!! Do you know what all of those piles are? They are the result of two little words that you have ingrained into your homemaking vocabulary. Two words that you must rid yourselves of if you want to bust up those piles. Those awful two words ladies are….
“For now”
You know, “I’ll set this junk mail here for now.”
“I’ll place these toys and trinkets over there for now.”
“I don’t know what to do with all of this ______(you fill in the blank) so I’ll lay it here for now.”
Girlfriends, our “for nows” are ruining us! And do you realize that every pile is just a stack of unmade decisions? The first time I read that statement years ago in an organizational book it was a revelation for me!!
Part of the problem is that you have not made a decision about where it will go. Thus the piles of “for now”. The bigger part of the problem, however, is not where to put the stuff. It is that you have too much stuff. So, first let’s learn to do a little de-junking, ridding ourselves of the unnecessary clutter.
With what is left, we’ll find a place other than the dreaded culprit piles of “for now” where they currently lodge. And take note: the following system can be used in one room—for you gals with that cluttered home office, messy toy room or catch-all kitchen—or for the really brave at heart, in the entire house!
De-junking Basics
So here is how this works. First, you’ll need five boxes, (Or, if you are tackling a really big room or area, bins or laundry baskets.) They will hold items that you come across that belong somewhere other than where they are at the moment.
Label the first box Put Back. Inside of it place another small lidded container such as a shoe box or plastic tote. This box will be used to collect the items that are out of place in your home. The smaller container will hold items such as pens, pencils, barrettes, and coins so they don’t get lost in the bigger box.
The second box will be labeled Take Back. This will corral all of those items in you home that don’t belong to you and need to be returned somewhere. You know, library books, rented DVD’s, a shoe from your son’s friend who spent the night last week, a pan from the sweet lady from church who made your family brownies two months ago, etc..
The third box will be used for garbage. Label it Toss or Trash. Line it with a garbage bag so that when it becomes full, you can tie it up and transport it to the trash can. If you are a family that recycles, you can also have a box or bin for that purpose too.
Next, you’ll want to have a box for those items that are still in good shape, but no longer needed or wanted at your home. Label this one Charity or Garage Sale. You can even place price stickers on your things at this point if you will be holding a sale. If you will donate your belongings to a charity or homeless shelter, as a box fills up, seal it and put it in your vehicle to be ready to drop off next time you are near a donation center.
The last box in the bunch will be labeled Nostalgia. More on this in a minute.
Before starting, please determine that you will be ruthless. Promise yourself that if you have not used it, needed it (but couldn’t find it), worn it, or enjoyed looking at it in the past year—then you’re going to LET IT FLY!
Haul your boxes into your problem room. Position the boxes in the middle of the floor. Beginning in one corner of the room, pick up an article, and ponder the following:
• Is this item out of place? Place it in the Put Back box.
• Does this item need to be returned to someone or somewhere? Into the Take Back box it goes.
• Is this item in such dire shape that it is no longer usable? Then place it in the Toss box. If it is made of metal, glass, paper, or plastic, it goes in the recycle bin if you are going to add this step too.
• Is this item in fine shape but no longer needed by anyone in our family? Into the Charity or Garage Sale box it goes.
• Now here is the final question: Is this item no longer needed by anyone in our family, but one of my children (or my husband) is so attached to it that if I pitch it now, they’ll be emotionally damaged for life and, yes, someday they will be on national TV spilling their guts to Dr. Somebody about my cruel actions?
Then into the Nostalgia box it goes. All of your kiddos can have a few nostalgia boxes with favorite “keeper” items. I like to attach a note to the item such as “You wouldn’t fall asleep without this stuffed turtle by your side” or “You carried this little lunch pail on the first day of school.”
Once your question and answer exercise is finished, look down in your hand? Is the item still there? It must be:
A. Something you actually want or need and ….
B. It must be located in the proper room of the house.
Continue making a sweep around the entire room, following the same procedure with each item you encounter. Check every drawer, shelf and closet. Make certain you are taking inventory of everything you own. Be ruthless!
Every so often empty out the boxes—put back the out of place items, throw out the trash bags, transfer the storage and nostalgia items to a box that can be placed in permanent storage, and keep on truckin’! What seems like an overwhelming task will soon gain momentum.
Crank up some music you enjoy or pop in a book on cd to help the time pass more quickly. And if you are like me, you’ll discover that this concept works best when following the buddy system. Junk busting is easier with a friend who is, unlike you, not emotionally attached to your stuff. They will help you decide objectively what you will keep and what you will pitch, give away, or sell. When you come to the Tupperware deviled egg holder your Aunt Tillie gave you ten years ago that you never use, your friend will grant you the courage to get rid of it, offering their full assurance that Aunt Tillie will not suffer irreparable harm because of your decision.
It feels so good to de-junk. Every time I do it, (which for me was two and a half days last week–you know, putting away those new items received at Christmas, sorting through clothes that my kids have outgrown and ones I no longer need or wear; turning old wash clothes into rags and washing and putting away the new ones my mom got us for Christmas, etc..)
Yes, every time I do it, I understand why John Wesley said “Cleanliness is next to godliness”
It feels like a brand new start.
Try it. You’ll be glad you carved out time to do it.
And, next week, I’ll post more about what to do once you have dejunked; how to re-set up your rooms in a logical and user-friendly manner, so tune in!
Now, I will leave this post up until the end of Monday giving lots of you a chance to leave a comment for the giveaway.
It can be a comment about your worst cluttered ‘hot spot’ in your home; your biggest organizational challenge- time? paper? kid’s items? your kitchen pantry?
Or, if your are pressed for time, just leave a comment saying “I’m in!” The drawing will be random so you’ll still be entered. You can leave comments up until Monday at midnight EST. The winner will be announced Tuesday morning.
Happy organizing!!!!
I would LOVE to read your book. Just recently discovered Proverbs 31 Ministries and it’s awesome–thank you all for your endeavors!!
Every year I say I’m going to get rid of all my junk. Each year I get rid of some, keep some and collect more! :(
Maybe this book will help!!
I want to tell you my worst clutter spot, but there’s a competition among a few top contenders … :/ I loved reading “Life that Says Welcome” and was so motivated and encouraged, so I just know I’d love this book with more ideas. Thanks for making these practical thoughts available here!
Karen,
First of all I love your books. I own “A Heart That Says Welcome” and it is truly a treasure. I like to think I’m organized and others will say that I am but I always find something new that I can learn. My daily battle–the pile of paper!!!! “For Now” is dragging me down when it comes to all that paper.
Blessings
Jessica
I’m in!
My hotspots are our living room and computer room. Our kitchen needs work, too…Ugh! We have a small house, so clutter tends to pile up before I know it. And you hit the nail on the head for me, Karen – I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH STUFF! I realize that. Even things I want to keep and perhaps decorate with. A lot of times, they just sit there because I don’t know what to do with them!
This summer, though, I was ruthless. We had a yard sale, and that momentum got me goin’. It was awesome. I felt incredible. I’m amazed at how quickly stuff piles up! I’d love to win your book. :-)
Our school room! I can’t keep it organized for anything! Would LOVE this book!
I need help with our office!!! It’s the paper…I don’t know my husband’s system of filing, so I just let it stack up…We also homeschool, and the kids’ tables are in the office…they are perpetually covered in stuff (papers, crayons, markers, scissors, whatever!)…it makes me crazy!
I’ve attended your workshop on Keeping Your Ducks in a Relative Row, and I’ve implemented the brain-in-a-binder (it’s great!), but I need more help!
If I don’t win your book this time, I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying it at the next Hearts at Home conference!
I have so many areas that need organized. I keep too much stuff. Especially my kids things. I keep school papers, special outfits and all kinds of stuff. HELP!! :)
I am in….I am sooooo in! New year, new attitude about getting to this ‘stuff’ that is dragging me down. Now, where to start?!!!
I’m in
I have so many hotspots…where to begin… the kitchen counter, the kitchen table, my computer desk are where everyone seems to dump their stuff and those random hair accessories, lip glosses, toy parts, etc. that don’t get put away. I’ll do a massive cleanup and it lasts about 2-3 days….I think I need to do what another poster suggested and have a bin for every toy category (pollys, petshops, ag dolls, etc) and it would be easier to put that stuff “away”. Would love a copy of your book, Karen!
I was just thinking this morning that I wished I was “one of those people” who lives clean—meaning without a bunch of knick knacks around and stuff hanging on the wall. But, I don’t know how to be that person or what to get rid of?
My problems are a couple of hot spots. I know my hot spots exist because of procrastination. I need to work on taking care of the items immediately instead of putting it off.
My kitchen counters seem to be catch-all’s for everyone’s stuff. My 8yr old brings home a stack of paper every day from school and it often sits on the counter too long. Then there are the other three of us with stuff on them too. When we eat, the stuff that was on the table gets moved to another spot and stays ther until I can’t stand it! Mostly for me it’s keeping up with the every day clutter. My son is also a Lego, playmobil, race track, train track etc. lover and manages to take over about half of our basement when he’s playing. I understand liking to leave something out that you made but it makes the basement a maze to get through. So I guess I have a lot of organizing needs! Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one that cares! How do I get my family to be involved in the organization and keeping stuff neat? In fact when I suggested that we get something to keep the Wii stuff organized my son quipped “but who would put it away anyway!” GRR! Anyway, I think I’ll tackle the kitchen counters today and hope they stay clear for a few days!
Rebecca Ann
It seems there was a time in my life when I was more organized. Yes – it was when I lived in the college dorm – no kids, no job, not much stuff, and other than studying, no responsibilities. It was so much easier then! But, take a house with no basement or attic and small closets, three children, working part-time, and a husband and two of the children who could care less what things look like and a mom who will help them find what they’ve lost, and it’s become a mini-disaster. I want to be more organized, and am constantly trying new things, but those in the family who don’t care seem to sabatoge the effort. HELP!!
My hardest thing to keep organized is my scrapbook area. I would love to find a reasonably priced way to get it organized. Next area would be our basement. As someone said in an earlier comment it has become the place to send the “junk” when we clean out the rest of the house.
My kitchen counter is the worse. Seems to be the catch all for every one’s “stuff”. I can get it cleaned, and it will stay that way for a few days, then back to being the catch all again. There has got to be a better way of keeping it cleaned than what I do now. Then if there are things that people in the house (won’t call any names) don’t know what to do with it, somehow it all ends up in our bedroom. I get frustrated that I can’t seem to get it all organized and keep it that way. Would love to have an organized home.
My biggest problem is the counter where I put my mail….I have a small pile of statements that I should file and I have who knows what else hiding behind my pen/paper holder. It seems like I’m constantly cleaning it; only to have that pile ‘re-appear’!
My daughter’s room comes in a close 2nd. She’s 9 yrs old and LOVES to collect things….rocks, coins, ‘jewels’, stickers, WebKinz, you name it-she’s probably got it! It’s soooo frustrating sometimes. (I have to remember what it was like to be a 9 yr old and then I can form some sort of empathy-like feelings). We’ve cleaned her room together….I mean REALLY went through and sorted/boxed, etc and that felt great. BUT it seems to get so cluttered again!
So for the reasons listed above and many others, I would LOVE to win your book! :)
-Amy
My not so good place is the bedroom in my basement. I definitely need to clean it out. It has clothes, clothes and more clothes on the bed. My grandson who is 20 is now living with us and he needs a bed to sleep in. I just can’t seem to get to the room at all. We had told him it would be cleaned out by the time he graduates from deisel mechanic school at the end of January. Guess what? That’s almost here. HELP! I think I need it. Could you come visit me in NJ Karen? Oh to be a real organizer like you. I’ll try and work in there this weekend. Pinky promise!
My walk in closet is my worst problem. At this point there is no walking in! It is the catch all for everything we don’t know what to do with. I need to tackle it quickly! Hopefully this next week…that is the goal.
My sore spot is the basement…it’s where everything goes when we are trying to clean up the rest of the house. It’s bad — it’s really bad. It’s my new year’s goal — organize the basement. That’s why I was so glad to read your post today. Project basement is overwhelming and your book might just provide the inspiration I need. Thanks for your post today!!
I am so unorganized it hurts. Great info here. I’d love a chance to read your book! ;)
I’m actually pretty organized, we (the whole family) did a MASSIVE clean up between Christmas and New Year’s so we are coming into 2010 in pretty good shape. My Achille’s heel if you wish is pictures. I am SOO behind (to the tune of 15 years behind) on getting them in order and into photo albums or photo boxes or whatever I decide. I’m going to get that done this year! That is my goal!
Just last week I went through all my kids stuff (they are still pretty young) and helped them organize it. We switched the kids’ rooms, and then I organized all their toys into separate boxes (barbies in one, pollys in another, action figures in their own box, legos in a box, etc) instead of having them in one big toy box. Now they are only allowed to get out one box at a time per room. i.e. Before the girls can get out the pollys their barbies have to be put up. It’s amazing just how much cleaner and more organized their rooms have been this past week. Now I need to tackle my room and get it ship shape.