In pursuit of… Being Organised – 1
The first in a series of explorations into being organised! All suggestions, ideas and magic wands welcome…
Many years ago, before children blessed my life, I was a very organised person – to the point of being mercilessly teased about it. I wrote lists, I remembered where they were and I kept to them. Everything was in its place. The house and my office – tidy. No piles of papers, I knew where everything was, and never ran out of milk/sugar/loo roll/chocolate.
Well perhaps I wasn’t that organised, but by comparison to “life after children”, it was quite lovely. OK, so I slid into a more chaotic lifestyle with astonishing ease; my husband had no time for household stuff of any sort (except keeping boxes – there was something a little odd about his insistance on keeping every box, just in case….) and still is very much of a “just in time” kind of person, and with the distraction of child-raising, being organised was just not an option, much to my frustration, when I had energy or could be bothered for such!
Now I’ve decided that this is the year in which I will return order to my live, both home and business. I no longer have a husband to blame for influencing any disorder – it’s down to me now. And the children (still of primary school age) will comply!
First task is for there to be a place for everything, and then to encourage us all – the kids and me – to have everything in its place – at least once a week, perhaps. Easier said than done, of course, there is just so much “stuff” and each time I have a go at making a list of what is needed to impose order, something more pressing claims my attention and by the time I can return to my list, I’ve forgotten where I left it! So – perhaps even before the first task, there needs to be a preparation for the first task stage – have just one list and keep it in the same place. That sounds so very simple, doesn’t it? On the computer would be logical, but it’s not always on. Have just the one notebook? A giant blackboard? Well, I will sort that but by the time I work out the most efficient thing, the piles of “stuff” doubles!
OK – never mind that. How else to prepare for being organised? I need your help here. There are some very good books on this subject – our need is great – but although I have invested and bought some of the most promising, with much enthusiasm, I’ve yet to find/make/schedule/allow time to read through them.
Another immediately obvious thing to do is have a realistic schedule. As I work from home the lines are so very blurred as to be non-existent, I’m ashamed to say. I enjoy my work far more than housework, so those lines are hidden by dust! As my office these days is simply a corner of the living room, my business has to be organised or I’d may as well give up and take to knitting, jam-making and all those wonderfully domestic-goddess-like joys full-time. But then I’d only find a way to make a business out of it!
So, having failed to the point of wanting to run away from it all and be a jolly lollipop lady, or something equally satisfying and seemingly straightforward, I’ve decided to kick myself up the behind, have a good talk with myself, and seek the support of friends. My pleas to be organised have already been heard with some fine ideas from across the globe (OK, the farthest so far is my friend Sally in New York, who suggested a wonderfully simple method for keeping projects organised that we will share with you next time. I also need to find a way to manipulate the children’s support with this, which is easier said than done as I missed the visit from the manipulation fairy when that gift was being bestowed, however they are willing and do enjoy a challenge – wish me luck on that one.
Perhaps instead of reading gruesome crime thrillers at bedtime I’d be wiser to read some of those books instead of leaving them in a pile by my bedside! But then I might want to leap out of bed in order to action some inspired suggestion… I’ll take that chance and let you know how that goes.
And you don’t escape being roped in on this either – what helps you to be organised? Tell me, share your secrets – they’re always welcome here…
About BabsBabs runs The Blogmistress to help people use WordPress for their websites and/or blogs. Here on Birds however she lets loose on just about any subject other than WordPress! Follow her on twitter
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41 Responses to In pursuit of… Being Organised – 1
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Oh Babs, I so share your frustration. I could have written this post myself. But a few years ago, I met a “de-cluttering lady” who changed my life! She helped me clear out everything that wasn’t needed and gave me a system for managing my to do lists and paperwork. From having a whiteboard, a pinboard, a noticeboard, a diary and various notebooks, plus piles of papers and files all over the floor I ended up with one diary (I’m old fashioned and like the paper kind) which had a week to view with a to do list next to it. All items, whether domestic or work related went on this one page. And papers which needed action went into an expanding file – marked in categories e.g. school related, forthcoming events, contact list updates, domestic paperwork etc. with a reminder in my diary for when they needed action. Papers I no longer needed (about half my filing cabinet) were ruthlessly shredded or recycled. All project related paperwork was filed in the relevent project folder in the filing cabinet. After all, if you’re going to work on a project, you retrieve that folder (and only that one) as you can only work on one thing at once. Between us it took us a day to get my office into some kind of order. And I spent another day going a bit deeper. Slowly but surely I worked my way around the house. Did I really need 4 pairs of scissors? How about 15 shopping bags? All things that belong together should be kept together – then you know where they are, and you can spot unnecessary duplicates. I had the foresight to take before and after photos which have been a great incentive. Several years later, I’m still using the same system – it’s an ongoing process, but I’m still a huge advocate (hence this rather long response!) Good luck!!!
WOW! Jane, that is so encouraging – thank you. I’d not thought of getting someone in to tell me what to do – will see who’s about and consider that. What a good idea – if I had time to do it, I would have already, but this pesky hamster wheel keeps pulling me back! But I’ll get there somehow!
Twitter: babssaul
Oh Babs, I so share your frustration. I could have written this post myself. But a few years ago, I met a “de-cluttering lady” who changed my life! She helped me clear out everything that wasn’t needed and gave me a system for managing my to do lists and paperwork. From having a whiteboard, a pinboard, a noticeboard, a diary and various notebooks, plus piles of papers and files all over the floor I ended up with one diary (I’m old fashioned and like the paper kind) which had a week to view with a to do list next to it. All items, whether domestic or work related went on this one page. And papers which needed action went into an expanding file – marked in categories e.g. school related, forthcoming events, contact list updates, domestic paperwork etc. with a reminder in my diary for when they needed action. Papers I no longer needed (about half my filing cabinet) were ruthlessly shredded or recycled. All project related paperwork was filed in the relevent project folder in the filing cabinet. After all, if you’re going to work on a project, you retrieve that folder (and only that one) as you can only work on one thing at once. Between us it took us a day to get my office into some kind of order. And I spent another day going a bit deeper. Slowly but surely I worked my way around the house. Did I really need 4 pairs of scissors? How about 15 shopping bags? All things that belong together should be kept together – then you know where they are, and you can spot unnecessary duplicates. I had the foresight to take before and after photos which have been a great incentive. Several years later, I’m still using the same system – it’s an ongoing process, but I’m still a huge advocate (hence this rather long response!) Good luck!!!
WOW! Jane, that is so encouraging – thank you. I’d not thought of getting someone in to tell me what to do – will see who’s about and consider that. What a good idea – if I had time to do it, I would have already, but this pesky hamster wheel keeps pulling me back! But I’ll get there somehow!
Twitter: babssaul
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LOL, that made me laugh Babs as there is a bit of me in there! has it got so bad as to warrant a visit fro KIM and AGGY? seriously though I start with good intentions but get distracted and I don’t have kids at home, so no excuse there. Maybe we should be partners on this and set each other challenges!
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
You’re on, Ida! I’m not at the Kim and Aggy stage just yet, thank goodness! Though when my neighbour apologises for the state of her kitchen, and I realise that it’s as tidy as mine on a good day, I do wonder…
Twitter: babssaul
LOL, that made me laugh Babs as there is a bit of me in there! has it got so bad as to warrant a visit fro KIM and AGGY? seriously though I start with good intentions but get distracted and I don’t have kids at home, so no excuse there. Maybe we should be partners on this and set each other challenges!
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
You’re on, Ida! I’m not at the Kim and Aggy stage just yet, thank goodness! Though when my neighbour apologises for the state of her kitchen, and I realise that it’s as tidy as mine on a good day, I do wonder…
Twitter: babssaul
Hi Ladies,
Although a bit drastic – I recommend putting your house up for sale. We did at the beginning of the year….Half of our belongings are now in storage in my parents garage, and every night we go into a mad panic hiding things away so the flat looks its best for the following days viewings. It’s never been so tidy!! Although my husband is getting a bit annoyed at the daily hunt for his phone charger amongst my underwear draw!
Oh that this was an option, but I have absolutely no intention of moving again until I do buy my own home (renting) – having moved us in here only a year ago! Good luck with your move!
Twitter: babssaul
Hi Ladies,
Although a bit drastic – I recommend putting your house up for sale. We did at the beginning of the year….Half of our belongings are now in storage in my parents garage, and every night we go into a mad panic hiding things away so the flat looks its best for the following days viewings. It’s never been so tidy!! Although my husband is getting a bit annoyed at the daily hunt for his phone charger amongst my underwear draw!
Oh that this was an option, but I have absolutely no intention of moving again until I do buy my own home (renting) – having moved us in here only a year ago! Good luck with your move!
Twitter: babssaul
We all goes through phases of our lives in tidiness and clutter, it’s the normal rhythms of life.
Moving house is indeed one way to prune, as is moving countries!
Entropy and lack of discipline are two things I fight all the time, so finding ways to keep them in check are always welcome. There are several things to bear in mind:
1. You have to want to be neat and tidy.
2. Finding a system and sticking at it requires discipline.
3. Be prepared to be ruthless and sing the mantra, “if in doubt, throw it out!”
4. Scan and shred.
:>}
Twitter: maverickny
I’m firing up the shredder right now, Sally. And I agree – it has suited me, for whatever reasons, to be cluttered for a while. But now I yearn for order, and will make it so!
For me it’s all mixed up with getting fitter, so having more energy, and all kinds of emotions and more around that last 10 years of my life. No excuses now, and going to hold myself accountable!
Gulp!
Twitter: babssaul
We all goes through phases of our lives in tidiness and clutter, it’s the normal rhythms of life.
Moving house is indeed one way to prune, as is moving countries!
Entropy and lack of discipline are two things I fight all the time, so finding ways to keep them in check are always welcome. There are several things to bear in mind:
1. You have to want to be neat and tidy.
2. Finding a system and sticking at it requires discipline.
3. Be prepared to be ruthless and sing the mantra, “if in doubt, throw it out!”
4. Scan and shred.
:>}
Twitter: maverickny
I’m firing up the shredder right now, Sally. And I agree – it has suited me, for whatever reasons, to be cluttered for a while. But now I yearn for order, and will make it so!
For me it’s all mixed up with getting fitter, so having more energy, and all kinds of emotions and more around that last 10 years of my life. No excuses now, and going to hold myself accountable!
Gulp!
Twitter: babssaul
The Japanese use the 5Ss- they roughly translate to sorting, straightening, sweeping, standardising and sustaining.
I think one of the problems is that by the time we get to the point where we’re really annoyed at ourselves for the mess and clutter we see around us we want everything sorted RIGHT NOW and it seems a mammoth task.
So maybe the first thing is to be realistic of how much is achievable in the time you’re going to allot to it – I now know for example that if I start with books I’ll be there all day… and nobody but me will see the difference
So another idea would be choose something that you and others will notice: Vacuuming and dusting are a waste of space though they need to be done (once a year, anyway
) yet if you move the furniture around a bit at the same time it’ll get attention and you might even find the thing that disappeared down the back of the settee a couple of months ago…
But if you’re not enjoying the doing or the results you’ll get from having done, is it worth it?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Oh I do enjoy a tidy house. Every time I see my kitchen tidy and ordered it does make me smile – it gives me pleasure, and actually doesn’t take that much to achieve (I’m not quite as slovenly as I sometimes think).
And indeed – right now is what we all want – but that can only be applied to what is in front of us “right now” so perhaps need to give ourselves a break, adjust our perceptions of what we can get done within a specific amount of time, and stop trying to be super-people!
Twitter: babssaul
The Japanese use the 5Ss- they roughly translate to sorting, straightening, sweeping, standardising and sustaining.
I think one of the problems is that by the time we get to the point where we’re really annoyed at ourselves for the mess and clutter we see around us we want everything sorted RIGHT NOW and it seems a mammoth task.
So maybe the first thing is to be realistic of how much is achievable in the time you’re going to allot to it – I now know for example that if I start with books I’ll be there all day… and nobody but me will see the difference
So another idea would be choose something that you and others will notice: Vacuuming and dusting are a waste of space though they need to be done (once a year, anyway
) yet if you move the furniture around a bit at the same time it’ll get attention and you might even find the thing that disappeared down the back of the settee a couple of months ago…
But if you’re not enjoying the doing or the results you’ll get from having done, is it worth it?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Oh I do enjoy a tidy house. Every time I see my kitchen tidy and ordered it does make me smile – it gives me pleasure, and actually doesn’t take that much to achieve (I’m not quite as slovenly as I sometimes think).
And indeed – right now is what we all want – but that can only be applied to what is in front of us “right now” so perhaps need to give ourselves a break, adjust our perceptions of what we can get done within a specific amount of time, and stop trying to be super-people!
Twitter: babssaul
This is such a problem for me too, Babs. Having limited energy makes it very difficult – on the days I feel well I want to be doing other things, on the days I feel ill the last thing I want to face is dealing with the clutter.
And there is a lot of it – I still have stuff from downsizing froma proper office to a home office – and all of Ryan’s mother’s stuff to sort through too.
My plan is to set aside and do half an hour a day, no more. And to be completely ruthless.
On the bright side I have made a start in cutting down my book clutter – I have a new rule that I ony allow a new one is, if one has gone out. I have a few listed on Amazon, give the odd boxfull away on freecycle, and palm others off on unsuspecting friends
I do like that book idea, Ann – I may adopt that myself, though have started when I moved, realising that the boxes of books that I’d stored were not going to be read again, and if one day the children want to read the same stories, they can get them from the library or find themselves. Last year the school fete’s bookstall was well-stocked! I did used to enjoy swapping books online but having to then fit in a trip to the post office just added to the stress.
Something I want to test out is how useful our local library can be – by giving them the book(s) I want to read and see if they can get them in for me – some may be a challenge.
Good books I pass on to friends – even some that I’ve thorough enjoyed (though will treasure my signed copy of yours!) – I just need to apply that to the remaining boxes of books too!
And energy is indeed vital. Aside from the physical issues that do limit me some, I am well aware for my subconscious reasons for not losing my excess weight, getting fitter and thus having more energy. But time to do it now…
Twitter: babssaul
This is such a problem for me too, Babs. Having limited energy makes it very difficult – on the days I feel well I want to be doing other things, on the days I feel ill the last thing I want to face is dealing with the clutter.
And there is a lot of it – I still have stuff from downsizing froma proper office to a home office – and all of Ryan’s mother’s stuff to sort through too.
My plan is to set aside and do half an hour a day, no more. And to be completely ruthless.
On the bright side I have made a start in cutting down my book clutter – I have a new rule that I ony allow a new one is, if one has gone out. I have a few listed on Amazon, give the odd boxfull away on freecycle, and palm others off on unsuspecting friends
I do like that book idea, Ann – I may adopt that myself, though have started when I moved, realising that the boxes of books that I’d stored were not going to be read again, and if one day the children want to read the same stories, they can get them from the library or find themselves. Last year the school fete’s bookstall was well-stocked! I did used to enjoy swapping books online but having to then fit in a trip to the post office just added to the stress.
Something I want to test out is how useful our local library can be – by giving them the book(s) I want to read and see if they can get them in for me – some may be a challenge.
Good books I pass on to friends – even some that I’ve thorough enjoyed (though will treasure my signed copy of yours!) – I just need to apply that to the remaining boxes of books too!
And energy is indeed vital. Aside from the physical issues that do limit me some, I am well aware for my subconscious reasons for not losing my excess weight, getting fitter and thus having more energy. But time to do it now…
Twitter: babssaul
Oh Babs, this all sounds so familiar… my house looked like a showhome many years ago and now – well! I have stuck to my NY Resolution of at least a carload of stuff out per month to charity shop, dump etc (an old car seat went via Freegle only yesterday in fact – and someone seemed so glad of it I wondered why I hadn’t done it before) but it’s going to take time to have a major impact. The best tip I’ve been given & use is to look around a room when you have a spare 10 minutes, pick a hotspot (mine today will be the top of the sideboard which is covered in clutter) and clear it, don’t be tempted to keep going unless you honestly have time. Do this each day and it really does make a difference without being overwhelming. Good luck – you are absolutely not alone!
I too remember the early days of my first home – each Saturday morning would result in a tidy house, top to bottom – I was so pleased with my little house! Now I think I take the “homey and lived-in” look a bit far.
And the thing I do need to stop doing is telling the children to be tidier when I set such a poor example! Shocking behaviour
that I will cease immediately.
And thanks, Bev, for the reminder to give things away – what generally stops me in my tracks is having something to put everything in, because I end up with so much! Or with Freecycle – it’s so big now, locally, that I end up with so many requests that I get a bit flustered! Honestly – I do need to get a grip and just do it!
Have fun with your sideboard today – I hope you discover something that makes you smile
Twitter: babssaul
Oh Babs, this all sounds so familiar… my house looked like a showhome many years ago and now – well! I have stuck to my NY Resolution of at least a carload of stuff out per month to charity shop, dump etc (an old car seat went via Freegle only yesterday in fact – and someone seemed so glad of it I wondered why I hadn’t done it before) but it’s going to take time to have a major impact. The best tip I’ve been given & use is to look around a room when you have a spare 10 minutes, pick a hotspot (mine today will be the top of the sideboard which is covered in clutter) and clear it, don’t be tempted to keep going unless you honestly have time. Do this each day and it really does make a difference without being overwhelming. Good luck – you are absolutely not alone!
I too remember the early days of my first home – each Saturday morning would result in a tidy house, top to bottom – I was so pleased with my little house! Now I think I take the “homey and lived-in” look a bit far.
And the thing I do need to stop doing is telling the children to be tidier when I set such a poor example! Shocking behaviour
that I will cease immediately.
And thanks, Bev, for the reminder to give things away – what generally stops me in my tracks is having something to put everything in, because I end up with so much! Or with Freecycle – it’s so big now, locally, that I end up with so many requests that I get a bit flustered! Honestly – I do need to get a grip and just do it!
Have fun with your sideboard today – I hope you discover something that makes you smile
Twitter: babssaul
Babs, I have to confess I have no eureka ideas to pass on for you and will admit having a rather ‘split’ personality as far as tidiness/clutter is concerned. My working environment is approached with the philosophy of absolutely a place for everything and everything in its place… and woe betide the person who messes it up in any way!
At home I’m much more laid back and when times get tough and messy always chant the mantra my Mum passed on to me. “There’s more to life than housework.”
However, you’ve been given such a wealth of good ideas here in the comments, that when you have devised a strategy and tactics why not try setting some small daily goals and make a daily or weekly public commitment on Twitter – use the #dailygoals hashtag in your tweets to get started and to post updates on your progress. Take a look at http://trackdailygoals.com/users/recent Accountability for Twitterers! Best of luck.
Thanks for the suggestion, Liz – I’ll take a look and make use of that as I put the strategies in place.
There is indeed plenty more to life than housework – I recently treated myself to a pot (for which I have no specific need or purpose) that says “My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance”!
Twitter: babssaul
Babs, I have to confess I have no eureka ideas to pass on for you and will admit having a rather ‘split’ personality as far as tidiness/clutter is concerned. My working environment is approached with the philosophy of absolutely a place for everything and everything in its place… and woe betide the person who messes it up in any way!
At home I’m much more laid back and when times get tough and messy always chant the mantra my Mum passed on to me. “There’s more to life than housework.”
However, you’ve been given such a wealth of good ideas here in the comments, that when you have devised a strategy and tactics why not try setting some small daily goals and make a daily or weekly public commitment on Twitter – use the #dailygoals hashtag in your tweets to get started and to post updates on your progress. Take a look at http://trackdailygoals.com/users/recent Accountability for Twitterers! Best of luck.
Thanks for the suggestion, Liz – I’ll take a look and make use of that as I put the strategies in place.
There is indeed plenty more to life than housework – I recently treated myself to a pot (for which I have no specific need or purpose) that says “My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance”!
Twitter: babssaul
I was organized BC (before children), I was! At least mostly. Or perhaps my High-functioning Attention Deficit Issues had room to wander and get back on track before the laundry, interrupted work piles, and seemingly endless reminders for certain people to change their underwear got in the way. Anyway, last year was The Year to Declutter and Establish Places for Remaining Things. Progress was made and I am in year 2. But still.
Tip one: Bag in a box by the front door in which you toss all GiveAway Items, as you discover them. Locate the local Drop Your Junk sheltered workshop (ours is Value Village). Every week or 2, grab the bag(s) and take them there. Try not to buy too much more new junk.
Tip two: Divide the house into 5 “zones.” e.g. Kitchen, Living Room & Foyer, Main Bathroom, Master Bedroom, Home Office, etc. One zone to focus on per week–do 15 min or 1 hr just there, then get on with your life. This idea comes from, ahem, http://www.fly-lady.net There is a jello salad, xmas sweater kind of vibe among her mom community, but her ideas are sound. Routine, routine, routine. A little at a time is good enough.
Tip three: Get a friend and make Promise Games with each other. Girlfriend and I have started tweeting (DM) each other every couple of days with report on 15 min decluttering. “Did you do yours today?” “Yes, Yea, me!” Rid Your Drawers of Unnecessary Kitchen Gadgets! Toss Your Husbands Old CDs! Rid Your Home of Broken Toys! Burn Your Gray n Frayed Bras! Just one thing.
I suppose the good moms figure out ways to get their kids to think clean and decluttering is fun–or at least obligatory. Working on this one…
LOL – thanks Amy! I did like the Fly Lady site – a good description – and will return.
Unnecessary kitchen gadgets – you mean I really should let go of the butter curler, the melon baller, the numerous implements that look more like they belong in a dominatrix’s bedroom?
And the bras – well they will go out with the clothes that I have held onto from my slimmer days, knowing that one day I will fit into them again – never mind that I am now 15 years older and would not consider wearing such now.
Twitter: babssaul
Ahaha. I hadn’t thought of moving superflous items from one room to the bedroom. Possibilities…perhaps if I invested creative energy in that direction instead of spinning my wheels with my business! I might stop caring about the state of the house! Ahaha.
I think for me, this is the year of Let Go of It for Pete’s (or perhaps my own) Sake. And I think “It” may mean junky and unnecessary things, but also tired, unhelpful, nagging ideas and other irritations. Hmmmm….
Oh, and I should admit that my decluttering activity this week was not very good. Trying again next week!
I was organized BC (before children), I was! At least mostly. Or perhaps my High-functioning Attention Deficit Issues had room to wander and get back on track before the laundry, interrupted work piles, and seemingly endless reminders for certain people to change their underwear got in the way. Anyway, last year was The Year to Declutter and Establish Places for Remaining Things. Progress was made and I am in year 2. But still.
Tip one: Bag in a box by the front door in which you toss all GiveAway Items, as you discover them. Locate the local Drop Your Junk sheltered workshop (ours is Value Village). Every week or 2, grab the bag(s) and take them there. Try not to buy too much more new junk.
Tip two: Divide the house into 5 “zones.” e.g. Kitchen, Living Room & Foyer, Main Bathroom, Master Bedroom, Home Office, etc. One zone to focus on per week–do 15 min or 1 hr just there, then get on with your life. This idea comes from, ahem, http://www.fly-lady.net There is a jello salad, xmas sweater kind of vibe among her mom community, but her ideas are sound. Routine, routine, routine. A little at a time is good enough.
Tip three: Get a friend and make Promise Games with each other. Girlfriend and I have started tweeting (DM) each other every couple of days with report on 15 min decluttering. “Did you do yours today?” “Yes, Yea, me!” Rid Your Drawers of Unnecessary Kitchen Gadgets! Toss Your Husbands Old CDs! Rid Your Home of Broken Toys! Burn Your Gray n Frayed Bras! Just one thing.
I suppose the good moms figure out ways to get their kids to think clean and decluttering is fun–or at least obligatory. Working on this one…
LOL – thanks Amy! I did like the Fly Lady site – a good description – and will return.
Unnecessary kitchen gadgets – you mean I really should let go of the butter curler, the melon baller, the numerous implements that look more like they belong in a dominatrix’s bedroom?
And the bras – well they will go out with the clothes that I have held onto from my slimmer days, knowing that one day I will fit into them again – never mind that I am now 15 years older and would not consider wearing such now.
Twitter: babssaul
Ahaha. I hadn’t thought of moving superflous items from one room to the bedroom. Possibilities…perhaps if I invested creative energy in that direction instead of spinning my wheels with my business! I might stop caring about the state of the house! Ahaha.
I think for me, this is the year of Let Go of It for Pete’s (or perhaps my own) Sake. And I think “It” may mean junky and unnecessary things, but also tired, unhelpful, nagging ideas and other irritations. Hmmmm….
Oh, and I should admit that my decluttering activity this week was not very good. Trying again next week!
Oh Babs, I’m yet another one who finds this all horribly familiar and like you I also use working from home as an excuse not to do any housework! Many years ago I used to subscribe to ‘a place for everything and everything in its place,’ whereas now it seems to be more a case of ‘a pile for everything and everything in a pile.’
)
One thing I have discovered, which is not as extreme as selling the house is to redecorate one room. Having just finished redecorating our office I found taking everything out of the room resulted in getting rid of a whole lot of unnecessary stuff, and the process was repeated when everything got put back into the room. A newly decorated room looks so nice, that you don’t want to hide it behind lots of ‘stuff’!!
Alternatively and even less extreme is having a weekly schedule. I allocate one or two rooms of the house to be cleaned/tidied each day of the week, with the proviso that it shouldn’t take more than half an hour. If I actually managed to stick to this I think it would work, but see above regarding using work as an excuse!!
Oh Babs, I’m yet another one who finds this all horribly familiar and like you I also use working from home as an excuse not to do any housework! Many years ago I used to subscribe to ‘a place for everything and everything in its place,’ whereas now it seems to be more a case of ‘a pile for everything and everything in a pile.’
)
One thing I have discovered, which is not as extreme as selling the house is to redecorate one room. Having just finished redecorating our office I found taking everything out of the room resulted in getting rid of a whole lot of unnecessary stuff, and the process was repeated when everything got put back into the room. A newly decorated room looks so nice, that you don’t want to hide it behind lots of ‘stuff’!!
Alternatively and even less extreme is having a weekly schedule. I allocate one or two rooms of the house to be cleaned/tidied each day of the week, with the proviso that it shouldn’t take more than half an hour. If I actually managed to stick to this I think it would work, but see above regarding using work as an excuse!!