I have realized lately that I must be losing my memory. I used to be one of those people that never needed to write anything down. I could remember an entire grocery list, any phone number, where I set something down, ideas for writing, to do’s and almost anything anyone said to me. I cannot do any of these things any longer. But, I am willing to adapt because my thoughts needs to stay organized.
Today, I am on the prowl for a pretty and stylish notepad holder. Starting today, I will forever carry a notepad with me in style. I will take notes constantly regardless of how silly I will look. I have seen many people doing this in stores. It’s not that bad. My inability to remember what something cost in another store is so frustrating…yes, I am a price comparison shopper.
I considered using the notepad in my phone, but I think writing these things down on paper is much more fitting for this sometimes old fashioned gal. Blah blah save the trees and whatnot…ok, ok, I will also make sure I use recycled paper.
So, if you can’t remember daily to do’s and what cost what, do yourself a favor…keep your thoughts organized. If electronics are your thing, your cell phone has great memory organizing helpers. I do use my calendar on my phone. Set reminders for birthdays, doctor’s appointments, kids’ events, and heck, even your alarm. I used to have a PDA in addition to my phone, but the lugging of the two of them around was a little much. But, if that is your preference, PDA’s are a great tool also. They are available in different sizes and can be found for pretty decent and affordable prices.
But, for me…and the Katherine Heigl character in 27 Dresses, the good ole planner from Target or Wal-mart is good enough. Sometimes I really do like to keep it simple. Write it down or type it up.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
QuizTime!
Ok. I have been super MIA in the OKC with too many things on my mind before I head out for my vacation. I have neglected my fellow organizing buddies. But, today I have a treat! I remembered this quiz I had stumbled upon that our lovely and scrumptuous Peter Walsh provided on Oprah.com. So take the quiz and asses where your clutter issues may be more of an aweful habit that seriously needs to be kicked.
Let me know how it goes!
Let me know how it goes!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Set Yourself Free
A long time childhood friend of mine recently informed me that she took my advice. She organized her office area in her home. Well, she organized the area that collects stacks of papers in her home. She attained a file cabinet for this area and created her little personal organized piece of paper heaven. You know how she feels now that she has done this? Free.
She feels like there is this part of her that has finally been set free and she feels as if she can breathe a little bit better now.
This is the most important aspect of organizing your clutter. You need to organize your things because if they are in absolute disarray, you are essentially letting the things in your life have all the control. Take control of your life. Take control of what you want to do with your things. Things are not "that" important. The people in your life are far more important. Your happiness and quality of life far exceed any immediate and short live enjoyment one can find in a "thing." If the way you live your life and if the way your living space is arranged currently hinders your existence in any way, change it! organize it!
Change and organize your life to your liking too. If you don't know how you want this done, you can listen to others and find plenty of tools on the internet. Remember, just because an organized system works for someone else, it doesn't mean it will work for you too. Check your options, ask an organized friend, and most importantly, do what it best for you. You are the one that lives in your life and you are the one who will need to keep it maintained to your own standards.
So, I am challenging you. If there is a corner of the room, a desktop, a stack of papers, a closet, a kitchen drawer, or any other space that is festering in the back of your mind...do something about. Do one area this week. Doing all if it at once will more than likely overwhelm you and cause you to quit before you are done. But if you feel the organizing OCD kicking in, more power to you. Regardless of what clutter area is bugging you, take it head on.
Let me know how it goes!
She feels like there is this part of her that has finally been set free and she feels as if she can breathe a little bit better now.
This is the most important aspect of organizing your clutter. You need to organize your things because if they are in absolute disarray, you are essentially letting the things in your life have all the control. Take control of your life. Take control of what you want to do with your things. Things are not "that" important. The people in your life are far more important. Your happiness and quality of life far exceed any immediate and short live enjoyment one can find in a "thing." If the way you live your life and if the way your living space is arranged currently hinders your existence in any way, change it! organize it!
Change and organize your life to your liking too. If you don't know how you want this done, you can listen to others and find plenty of tools on the internet. Remember, just because an organized system works for someone else, it doesn't mean it will work for you too. Check your options, ask an organized friend, and most importantly, do what it best for you. You are the one that lives in your life and you are the one who will need to keep it maintained to your own standards.
So, I am challenging you. If there is a corner of the room, a desktop, a stack of papers, a closet, a kitchen drawer, or any other space that is festering in the back of your mind...do something about. Do one area this week. Doing all if it at once will more than likely overwhelm you and cause you to quit before you are done. But if you feel the organizing OCD kicking in, more power to you. Regardless of what clutter area is bugging you, take it head on.
Let me know how it goes!
Friday, February 29, 2008
A Temple for Templates
One of the ways I feel and keep myself organized is with various forms. Computerized and already made for me forms. I'll be honest, I am lazy in the creation and creativity department. I just don't want to make the time to create an invoice, fascimile sheet, or budget sheet. Do you?
Most of us have some form of Microsoft office or office helper on our computers already. But, they can be kind of boring or they don't have exactly what we are needing or wanting.
Check out Microsoft Office Online. They have so many FREE and downloadable templates. I downloaded my monthly budget from here and my personal fascimile sheet for my home business of freelance writing gigs. They have so many options. Plus, if it needs a little tweaking, you can still adjust it to your exact liking.
They have a template for some of the most random categories!
I am sure you can find something that will fit your needs.
Here are just a FEW examples:
Grocery List
Christmas List
Chores
Passwords
So, help you and/or your family stay a little more organized with a new checklist, form, or budget without having to take the time to create it yourself!
Most of us have some form of Microsoft office or office helper on our computers already. But, they can be kind of boring or they don't have exactly what we are needing or wanting.
Check out Microsoft Office Online. They have so many FREE and downloadable templates. I downloaded my monthly budget from here and my personal fascimile sheet for my home business of freelance writing gigs. They have so many options. Plus, if it needs a little tweaking, you can still adjust it to your exact liking.
They have a template for some of the most random categories!
I am sure you can find something that will fit your needs.
Here are just a FEW examples:
Grocery List
Christmas List
Chores
Passwords
So, help you and/or your family stay a little more organized with a new checklist, form, or budget without having to take the time to create it yourself!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Shred It Ya'll
I preach and preach all these "to do's" and "ta da's," but there is one thing I know is absolutely necessary and simple and most people do it...except me. Why? Just because I am human and a penny pinching nazi. I need a shredder! Yes, and you do too if you don't already have one.
There is no reason why there is not at least one decent shredder in every household in the world. We need to start a global revolution. ...Ok. Now I am getting a little dramatic.
Shredding your personal documents at home is just as important as your bank, your doctor's office, your accountant, or anyone else who may have access to the interworkings of you, needing to shred those ever-revealing documents. Not only for organizing reasons, but for identity reasons. So, if there is one organizing chore you do for yourself, shred.
Shredders are cheap...or at least you can find a shredder for cheap. You can even get one of those shredder tops to put over an existing trash can and they can be found for around $10. There is no real need to get a fancy shmacy shredder. Just avoid being cheaper than me.
Idea:
Aurora 6-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper Shredder - AS618SB (From Target)
$16.99
There is no reason why there is not at least one decent shredder in every household in the world. We need to start a global revolution. ...Ok. Now I am getting a little dramatic.
Shredding your personal documents at home is just as important as your bank, your doctor's office, your accountant, or anyone else who may have access to the interworkings of you, needing to shred those ever-revealing documents. Not only for organizing reasons, but for identity reasons. So, if there is one organizing chore you do for yourself, shred.
Shredders are cheap...or at least you can find a shredder for cheap. You can even get one of those shredder tops to put over an existing trash can and they can be found for around $10. There is no real need to get a fancy shmacy shredder. Just avoid being cheaper than me.
Idea:
Aurora 6-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper Shredder - AS618SB (From Target)
$16.99
Friday, February 22, 2008
Organize His Habits
So, I received the following question:
Got any tips for helping him (her husband) 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?
No, my lovely lady, I was absolutely not blessed with a partner who is organized or puts things back where he got them. I was blessed with someone who uses the dining table as a second closet. Which causes this reaction:
So, last night after I saw your question, I went to my partner and asked him how he started to change his clutter ways. This is basically what he said, "Tell your reader that the only way she is going to get her husband to do what she says is to nag constantly, give faces (like above provided face), and to follow him around the house picking things up behind him and making sure he knows about it. He will eventually have to decide between a life of picking up after himself or suicide. I chose picking up after myself because it came with a big ole main course of you, honey."
Again, insert the snubby nosed face.
So, seriously, this is what I am going say to those of you with a similar problem. I did nag, don't get me wrong. But I always try to add a little reason to the end of my nagging ways. The one thing men and most all people really love and get satisfation from is the idea there is place for something or everything. The problem that arises is that this "place" can be different for everyone.
This reader with the question stated she is planning on re-vamping the master bedroom. So, I am assuming that there is a problem with the hubby just putting things wherever he wants. This is probably because these spots are convenient for him and it takes little effort and thought to place these things where he is placing them. Take note of his habits. You can't change his habits but you can organize them. Answer these questions:
1. Is he throwing his clothes wherever he feels? Are they on the bed? Are they on the floor?
2. Where does he take his shoes or house shoes off? Where does he leave them regularly?
3. What does he normally do with his dirty towels and clothes when he gets in and out of the shower?
4. Where does he leave his wallet, keys, watch, or any other man accessory at the end of the day?
5. What is the first thing he does in the morning when he gets out of bed?
6. What is the last thing he does before he goes to bed?
One of the things I discovered about men (or my man) is that they need their "man cave." And they need to feel like they have their own space in a room that is really their "partner's" room. When men and women combine two spaces into one cohesive space, (let's be honest) most of the time the space becomes the woman's space, at least in the decorating sense...and in the closet sense. Normally, not all the time, women take more of the closet space.
Give him his space. Give him his spot. Take a corner of the room or closet and dedicate it to his messiness. If he is normally leaving his clothes lying around, their is a convenience behind the location. For instance, if he leaves his clothes lying on the end of the bed, place a nice looking wicker hamper (with a lid) at the foot of the bed. Or if he is leaving his clothes on the bathroom floor, place a hamper in the bathroom or hang a laundry bag on the back of the bathroom door.
If he leaves his shoes wherever is convenient...try to find a bench or stool that can be placed somewhere that is "his" place to remove and leave his shoes. He can sit comfortably and take his time removing his shoes after a long day and just leave them there. You could also hang a rack above or near it so that he can leave his scarf, jacket, hat, or anything else on the hooks.For example:
SAMANTHA CORNER BENCH & SHELF
(Just to give an example. You could also do a trunk for settee/bench at the foot of the bed.)
If you have a dresser with your jewelry box and perfumes and girlie stuff on it, make a spot for his stuff too! Try to find a man box that will fit his wallet and keys or whatever he needs when he walks out the door. For example:
GARRETT VALET TRAY (from pottery barn)
Valet Tray $49.00 SPECIAL $29.00
The point is, don't tell him what to do because it's what you want and it's the way you want it done. Let him know that you want to give him a space in the bedroom and you promise you won't use it and you won't feminize (I think I just made up a word) it.
Really take a look at his habits, really consider them, and work around them...and him. If he has his own space in the room, he may make more of an effort to keep is nice.
I sure hope that was helpful! These are just methods I have used with my partner and they have worked so far. Good Luck!
Got any tips for helping him (her husband) 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?
No, my lovely lady, I was absolutely not blessed with a partner who is organized or puts things back where he got them. I was blessed with someone who uses the dining table as a second closet. Which causes this reaction:
So, last night after I saw your question, I went to my partner and asked him how he started to change his clutter ways. This is basically what he said, "Tell your reader that the only way she is going to get her husband to do what she says is to nag constantly, give faces (like above provided face), and to follow him around the house picking things up behind him and making sure he knows about it. He will eventually have to decide between a life of picking up after himself or suicide. I chose picking up after myself because it came with a big ole main course of you, honey."
Again, insert the snubby nosed face.
So, seriously, this is what I am going say to those of you with a similar problem. I did nag, don't get me wrong. But I always try to add a little reason to the end of my nagging ways. The one thing men and most all people really love and get satisfation from is the idea there is place for something or everything. The problem that arises is that this "place" can be different for everyone.
This reader with the question stated she is planning on re-vamping the master bedroom. So, I am assuming that there is a problem with the hubby just putting things wherever he wants. This is probably because these spots are convenient for him and it takes little effort and thought to place these things where he is placing them. Take note of his habits. You can't change his habits but you can organize them. Answer these questions:
1. Is he throwing his clothes wherever he feels? Are they on the bed? Are they on the floor?
2. Where does he take his shoes or house shoes off? Where does he leave them regularly?
3. What does he normally do with his dirty towels and clothes when he gets in and out of the shower?
4. Where does he leave his wallet, keys, watch, or any other man accessory at the end of the day?
5. What is the first thing he does in the morning when he gets out of bed?
6. What is the last thing he does before he goes to bed?
One of the things I discovered about men (or my man) is that they need their "man cave." And they need to feel like they have their own space in a room that is really their "partner's" room. When men and women combine two spaces into one cohesive space, (let's be honest) most of the time the space becomes the woman's space, at least in the decorating sense...and in the closet sense. Normally, not all the time, women take more of the closet space.
Give him his space. Give him his spot. Take a corner of the room or closet and dedicate it to his messiness. If he is normally leaving his clothes lying around, their is a convenience behind the location. For instance, if he leaves his clothes lying on the end of the bed, place a nice looking wicker hamper (with a lid) at the foot of the bed. Or if he is leaving his clothes on the bathroom floor, place a hamper in the bathroom or hang a laundry bag on the back of the bathroom door.
If he leaves his shoes wherever is convenient...try to find a bench or stool that can be placed somewhere that is "his" place to remove and leave his shoes. He can sit comfortably and take his time removing his shoes after a long day and just leave them there. You could also hang a rack above or near it so that he can leave his scarf, jacket, hat, or anything else on the hooks.For example:
SAMANTHA CORNER BENCH & SHELF
(Just to give an example. You could also do a trunk for settee/bench at the foot of the bed.)
If you have a dresser with your jewelry box and perfumes and girlie stuff on it, make a spot for his stuff too! Try to find a man box that will fit his wallet and keys or whatever he needs when he walks out the door. For example:
GARRETT VALET TRAY (from pottery barn)
Valet Tray $49.00 SPECIAL $29.00
The point is, don't tell him what to do because it's what you want and it's the way you want it done. Let him know that you want to give him a space in the bedroom and you promise you won't use it and you won't feminize (I think I just made up a word) it.
Really take a look at his habits, really consider them, and work around them...and him. If he has his own space in the room, he may make more of an effort to keep is nice.
I sure hope that was helpful! These are just methods I have used with my partner and they have worked so far. Good Luck!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Clean Up and Clean Out
So,inspired by a comment in a previous post, I have provided the following. This is an excerpt from a past college "How To" assignment. Of course I did: "How To Organize and Personalize Your Home Office." ...go figure.
The comment was in reference to what to keep when even attempting to begin the "throwing out" process. Taxes and important "life" docs you keep. Refer to my "Tax Time Sale" post for more details on longevity. You can also choose what you want to keep. The real issue with paper is not necessarily "what" to keep but "HOW" to organize it.
Enjoy my college assignment excerpt and hopefully there are some useful tips with it. Otherwise, just ask! I'll try to answer your questions the best I can!
Clean up and clean out is probably the most time consuming part of the organizing and personalizing process. Getting rid of old junk, paper, and habits can be difficult, but the final result will make-up for any anxiety. Keep what you must. If you think you can find a functional way to store it, then hold on to it for a little longer.
When you begin, you may be experiencing old piles of papers or a non functioning existing filing system. Also, there may be personal papers scattered in different areas of your home that need to be centralized. When you are done with step two, you will have a trash pile or bin. Also, you will have other separated piles or bins of relevant subjects topics to your life that will be placed in an even more organized fashion in the remaining procedures.
1. Obtain organizing bins, boxes, or even bags.
2. Categorize and label each bin to file your organizational needs.
Examples) trash, magazines, bills, home records, vehicle records.
3. Trash unnecessary items.
Note: You will sort through each bin again when you begin filing.
Procedure Three:
Decide What To File
Deciding what to file can be basic or very personal. It is all up to you ultimately. Have definite subjects that make your future organization simple and easily manageable.
When you begin, you will see various pre-sorted piles or bins. When you are done with this procedure, you will have more defined subjects that will make future organization easy and manageable.
1. Decide what needs to be filed at home.
a) Banking records, credit card records, home records, vehicle records,
medical records, life insurance, utilities, guarantees and warranties,
taxes, will.
2. Decide what needs to be filed in a safe deposit box or safe.
a) Passports, birth or death certificates, will, marriage license, divorce
decree, military records, house deed and title, saving bonds, stock
certificates, list of valuables, rainy day cash.
Rule: Keep billing and tax records for approximately four (4) to seven (7) years. There may be a time when you will need to provide proof of income for a few years, for example, when trying to purchase a new home.
The comment was in reference to what to keep when even attempting to begin the "throwing out" process. Taxes and important "life" docs you keep. Refer to my "Tax Time Sale" post for more details on longevity. You can also choose what you want to keep. The real issue with paper is not necessarily "what" to keep but "HOW" to organize it.
Enjoy my college assignment excerpt and hopefully there are some useful tips with it. Otherwise, just ask! I'll try to answer your questions the best I can!
Clean up and clean out is probably the most time consuming part of the organizing and personalizing process. Getting rid of old junk, paper, and habits can be difficult, but the final result will make-up for any anxiety. Keep what you must. If you think you can find a functional way to store it, then hold on to it for a little longer.
When you begin, you may be experiencing old piles of papers or a non functioning existing filing system. Also, there may be personal papers scattered in different areas of your home that need to be centralized. When you are done with step two, you will have a trash pile or bin. Also, you will have other separated piles or bins of relevant subjects topics to your life that will be placed in an even more organized fashion in the remaining procedures.
1. Obtain organizing bins, boxes, or even bags.
2. Categorize and label each bin to file your organizational needs.
Examples) trash, magazines, bills, home records, vehicle records.
3. Trash unnecessary items.
Note: You will sort through each bin again when you begin filing.
Procedure Three:
Decide What To File
Deciding what to file can be basic or very personal. It is all up to you ultimately. Have definite subjects that make your future organization simple and easily manageable.
When you begin, you will see various pre-sorted piles or bins. When you are done with this procedure, you will have more defined subjects that will make future organization easy and manageable.
1. Decide what needs to be filed at home.
a) Banking records, credit card records, home records, vehicle records,
medical records, life insurance, utilities, guarantees and warranties,
taxes, will.
2. Decide what needs to be filed in a safe deposit box or safe.
a) Passports, birth or death certificates, will, marriage license, divorce
decree, military records, house deed and title, saving bonds, stock
certificates, list of valuables, rainy day cash.
Rule: Keep billing and tax records for approximately four (4) to seven (7) years. There may be a time when you will need to provide proof of income for a few years, for example, when trying to purchase a new home.
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