Monday, February 18, 2008

A Project Is In The Works: Throw It Out

So, I have managed to convince someone to let me in their home and organize their home office. Yeah! I am so incredibly excited. Regardless of the facts that it is my boss' wife and I offered to do it for free (as long as they buy the supplies).

What do I get? Experience for one. I also have the privilege of taking before photos and after photos. I will more than likely take "in the process" photos as well. I have been given full permission to post the photos on this blog, so real life tips will be coming your way.

And trust me! This home office is going to be work. My project owner is out of town this week, so I will start bringing in project photos next week. But, we have technically already started.

Starting the process is the most difficult part. Right behind in difficult status is deciding what to throw out. People's personalities are very different, so each individual handles the "getting rid of" stage very differently. Many times, this process can be very emotional. In this instance, the office owner wanted to rid of things herself. This is completely fine. I instructed her to take before photos prior to starting anything. She is going to throw away what she feels needs to be thrown away.

Next week, I am going to go in and work WITH her, to organize the space to fit their household needs.

So, if you want to start a project, start with throwing away what you believe needs to be thrown away. Be honest with YOURSELF! Do you really "need" it? Regardless, we will go back through what you kept, and we will decide what should really be kept.

Remember, if you don't need it, someone else might. Consider donation, recycling, or a garage sale.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, my goodness, Deb! Can you please come over and organize our house??? LOL!

Deb said...

Oh, how I would love to! I need more experience though. My plan is to eventually travel the world and re-organize peoples' homes and help them keep it organized for good! ;p hahaha

Maybe one day I actually will!

Unknown said...

Throwing away...just the thought of that sends shivers down my spine. How do I know what I am going to need in the future? I have file cabinets galore of stuff I've saved...thinking that one day it may be useful again.

Glad I found this blog. It may save me from being buried in paper.

Deb said...

well, hello, L.L.Woodard. Thanks for the comment and question.

I posted a new blog that might ease some of your curiosity or even frustration. On the other, it may not help at all or may be too vague.

Remember, there are "life" docs that you just don't get rid of...kind of common sense. The new post should help a little with that.

Easy access file bins are just that...easy access file bins. Otherwise, use strong water proof (or even fire proof!) storage strategies to tuck away all those long term "maybe I might needs these some day" docs.

Deb said...

And label it! I forgot to mention that. When you tuck away those docs, be sure to label them for easy retrieval.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Deb. I do need to get the fireproof file cabinets for the life documents--they are so tough or impossible to replicate.

Unknown said...

We just bought a fireproof/waterproof safe to put all our important documents in.

Deb, this is such a great blog! I'm sooooo glad you are such an organized person and that you love to share your tips!

I am off to re-organize our master bedroom. It's driving me crazy. Hubby leaves his stuff everywhere! He's a wonderful hubby and I love him to bits, but man, is he ever untidy! LOL! Got any tips for helping him put things back where they're supposed to go once he's used them? Or were you blessed with a partner who is as organized as you are? :)

Oh, don't get me started on the state of his office! LOL! I cleaned it once and then he got upset. He says his office is "organized chaos". He couldn't find things when they were put into separate files, labeled , etc. He has piles and piles of papers and seems to know where everything is. *sigh* His office is an eye sore, but I promised it would be the only part of the house I wouldn't touch.

Unknown said...

C...I agree with you, thank heavens for organized people like Deb and yourself.

I'm afraid I subscribe to your husband's method of "organization." If he's anything like me, getting organized isn't as big a problem as STAYING organized.

Deb said...

C. and LL

I posted a new blog in my effort to answer C's inquiry...I hope it is helpful.

Staying organized is sooooo tough! I have my problems with it too. That's why creating the best solution for you and your life is key. If organized chaos works with you...then go for it. but as soon as it becomes a hinderance to you and your family...you do have to consider those you live with...something has gotta give.

Unknown said...

LL...yes, you are so right! Hubby has no problems getting things tidied up, but keeping things tidy is our biggest challenge!

I'll have the house in order and spic and span and it'll stay that way for three days max! Argh! LOL!

Deb, thanks for your latest post! I'm on it, sista! ;) This house WILL be organized!!!! Either that, or I'm just going to have to chuck everything in the garbage (errr...donate everything to those who need it)!!