Spring Cleaning! Organize Now!

[Erudite]

You know, I love spring for a whole variety of reasons, but one of the best is the feeling that I ought to get everything cleaned up, cleaned out, and ordered in some way, and I just love that when that happens. Am I nuts?

I was reading a great article today about how cleaning needs to extend beyond our homes and into our personal lives...like cleaning up and/or cleaning out habits that aren't doing us any good and it made me really want to get started.

So, I'm wondering about our Organization Support Group. Are we gonna do it or not? I can take the lead if you like since I'm raring to go on spring! In addition to setting some personal goals and reporting to the group on them, I was thinking along the lines of giving Flylady-like challenges to get something specific organized and we report back on how that worked or didn't work and give each other suggestions on making it work and so on.

Would that work for some of you do you think?

[Meticulous madness]

I would definitely love to do it, but was feeling "shy" about taking the lead. So FOR SURE, if you are willing to lead - I will follow.

I like the idea of having a specific thing/things to do, and then to report on our progress (like flylady).

Count me in.

[5ft Diva]

I'm in, too. Let's start today....or tomorrow. (E, I know you'll be gone a good portion of your day today. )

[natickgirl]

I'm in...I totally need a kick in the pants (like public accountability) to get going on home & personal organization!!!

[Erudite]

Yep and what a FUN!!!!!! day! Thinking through how things have to all work together, creating a new feel to a new space, and seeing a friend I just don't get to see nearly enough...so much fun!

Well, ladies, I'm glad you've all decided to gather for this wonderful purpose! Organization is all about building a better you. Did you know that? We are going to have to be persistent in our organization tactics and thus we'll be developing a fabulous character trait too! It is going to take doing it day after day, week after week, month after month to make it work. For whatever you pick to organize, the goal will be to organize it SO WELL that it STAYS organized without you having to put it back in place once a month...persistently putting things back where they're supposed to be is the start of organization. But, often that requires rethinking how the space is used, putting a tiny bit of moolah into organization tools or finding a way to repurpose something else that isn't being used well. The other thing to consider is if other people are using the space, THEY need to be able to put things back where they are supposed to go too. So you have to think in terms of how the family may use the space.

For this reason, I'm going to suggest that we start in ONE personal spaces...a space where children and husbands aren't messing it up on a daily basis. This could be a desk where you work, or your bathroom where you get ready for the day or the baking center of your kitchen or maybe a sewing space. So first, pick JUST one small space that is mostly used by you.

Second, list what happens in that space, not what you'd like to see happen in that space...what actually happens. You might even keep a notebook in the space for a couple of days and write down everything that happens in that space, related to the space or not.

Third, while you're doing #2...consider how you feel while you're in the space and write that down too. Is this space a happy productive space, or an "I'm always rushed" space or a annoying frustrating place?

Let's say by next Monday, March 16th, you'll have done the above. Then we'll take these items and re-work them to organize the space or even re-invent where needed.

How does that sound to everyone?

[5ft Diva]

So I don't know if any of you are going to reveal what you're working on, but I will.

My personal area will be my side of the room which includes:

1. vanity
2. desk
3. nightstand

E, you are one of the most talented organizers I know so I am thrilled to hear the ideas you have to share w/ the group. This sounds to me like you're leaning toward a weekly reporting. How does everybody else feel about that?

.....Something about me. In situations like this I like to feel I'm a contributor rather than just a mere participant (this translates into letting people tell me what to do) so I vote that we make the effort to all be on the same page when 1) choosing a direction and 2) choosing how to head that way, thus, the following questions.

1 - How long do we want to work on projects before we officially report back to the group?
2 - Who are we reporting to? (The person who issued the challenge or to each other?)
3 - Would you like to take turns challenging each other or would you just rather pick your own projects - or both?

My feelings on the reporting is that we'll take it as it comes. Some weeks we'll want to report back in a week. Others we'll want to report back in a month or a day.

I like the idea of just reporting back to the group, but the only drawback from that is that the group hesitates to make you accountable because it begins to feel like one against three. Does this idea make sense? Is there anyway to get around that feeling? Maybe this won't even be an issue....

As far as projects go I do like the idea of taking turns challenging others to focus on one specific area and also working on your own personal project as well. Would that work in this setting or does this setting only lend to us all staying on the same project? Does this question make sense?

[Erudite]

I am going to do my bathroom drawer. One drawer. There's not all that much in it, but I hate that I don't know what's there and that everything slides to the back, which hides the stuff that might be there. So I'm going to fix that.

I don't know what would be best in reporting. I just figured that a week would give everyone enough time to figure out THIS one space to know where to go in organizing. Like we did with your room today, we need to figure out what the space DOES before we can figure out what it could do or shouldn't do. So I was kinda not wanting to pick anyone's project for them, but to start with some organization principles that have worked for me. The reporting length has to somewhat depend on the size of the project, doesn't it?

As for the who, I don't want to be "in charge" of this. I think we report to the group. Everyone should feel like they're being patted on the back for the progress that is made and given some useful suggestions, by anyone, for the progress that still needs to be made. I was just hoping to offer a bit of structure as we get going.

I was thinking to toss in a specific challenge from time to time too and they won't be on weekly schedules either. But I think that everyone should be thinking of challenges they'd like to work on as a group. For example, I'd like to organize my food storage room and I know most of you have the same kind of challenge to deal with. But that's a HUGE project and I was thinking to start a lot smaller. A smaller challenge I was thinking of was the kids' game area/shelves/closet or my spice area in my baking cupboard.

Anyway, there's where my thinking is. How about the rest of you?

[natickgirl]

I'll be working on organizing (de-junking!!!) my side of the bedroom, including dresser, nightstand, book shelf, and basket full of junk/stuff/odds & ends.

[5ft Diva]

I guess I should clarify my goal. When I thought of my vanity, desk, and nightstand - I only pictured the surfaces - the part that I see. Not in, around, or under, JUST the surfaces. Whew! That was a close one!

---------- Post added at 12:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 AM ----------

So, E, tell me what you were thinking as far as reporting. What exactly were you thinking we'd be reporting? What we come up w/? I'm just curious how this is going to work because it affects how and where I keep my notes- if that makes any sense. This is me at my best, isn't it? I have to see the whole picture in order to figure out steps 1, 2, and 3. Seems a little backwards doesn't it? What exactly does this say about me???? C'est la vie....

[natickgirl]

Diva, my goal is just to FIND the surface of the dresser, nightstand, etc.! What's inside is already organized, it's those flat surfaces that are clutter-magnets. Now, the basket of stuff at the foot of the bed is another story...

[Meticulous madness]

My project will be my master bathroom. I've been needing to organize and find a spot for all the stuff on the shelves and in my drawers.

I find that this room/area gets very neglected. It's difficult to get it clean and even when I finally DO get it clean - it doesn't stay cleaned, because most things don't really have a perfect permanent home.

Plus, there are so many random things that I hang on to (lotions, perfumes, hair accessories, etc.) that I never really use, and they all just get in the way and cause more messes. Time to de-junkify.

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by natickgirl

and basket full of junk/stuff/odds & ends.

This makes me laugh...because I literally have about 4 or 5 baskets in my bedroom (and closet), filled with odds and ends. I shouldn't even admit that, should I?

Maybe that will be my next quest.

[Erudite]

Sorry to take so long to get back to this! I knew it would take me a few days!

As far as reporting, why don't we plan on telling each other A-what we're doing B-what we'd like to accomplish with what we're doing, and C-How we're going to break down and tackle what we're doing. Since we all chose projects that we can have NO idea what the length will be, I suggest that we set our own deadlines. Would that work? like for my little drawer, I'd give myself a week to make the time to clean it out and get the organizer stuff. But for some of your larger projects, you're going to want to break them down so they're not so overwhelming and then you can give yourself a week or 10 days or 2 weeks. BUT you gotta be specific about what you're going to accomplish in that time AND report back to the group by the deadline you gave yourself so we can pat you on the back and all that. How does that sound?

---------- Post added at 06:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Erudite

first, pick JUST one small space that is mostly used by you. Second, list what happens in that space, not what you'd like to see happen in that space...what actually happens.
Third, while you're doing #2...consider how you feel while you're in the space and write that down too.

Ok, for these items. I use my drawer twice a day.
First, in the morning when I pull out my facial cleanser, sunscreen stuff, and moisturizer and then the stuff to brush my teeth as well.
Second, in the evening when I do the same.
On a weekly basis, I also have tube of mask that I try to remember to use once.

I have no feelings about this really, because this is just the routine.

HOWEVER, I do know there is a LOT more in that drawer than I use on a daily basis, because there's stuff at the back.

So my next step will be to pull it all out and determine what is in that drawer and why I'm keeping it if I don't know even it's there.

After that, I will be looking for an organizer of some kind to keep it all from sliding to the back.

And as I said above, I'm giving myself a week to accomplish this, so I'll be reporting back on it next Monday.

---------- Post added at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------

The rest of you chose HUMUNGUS areas...organizationally speaking...so I'm very curious about your to-do lists for those spaces. It's the to-do list that will begin to determine the organization of the space...so as you type them up, start attempting to categorize them. You'll want to consider that not all the things you actually do in this space should stay in this space and put those items on a secondary list of items/activities that you'll be finding a new home for. Hope that makes sense.

[5ft Diva]

I've had no time to respond...will do so tomorrow.....hopefully.

---------- Post added at 12:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 AM ----------

Okay, nevermind. I changed my mind. It's now or never.

1. Like I said, the spaces I picked were the tops of my vanity, desk, and night stand.

2. They collect things that don't belong there....ever.

3. One word feelings I have as I sit here: claustrophobic, disappointed, chaotic, angry, rushed, ungrounded.

Hey! This just described me as a mother. I was just talking to some friends today about how I feel this way and that if I wanted to stop feeling this way I needed to change some things and yet I didn't know what they were. How interesting that it all ties back to my environment. DING!

As far as my 'to do' list I'm not sure how long that will take. Let's see, what is the list of things that need to take place in order for this to be what I want it to be? 1) Creating a mental picture of what it looks like. (This has been kind of hard because this is a temporary home for my desk.) 2) Mental prep. - figuring out why these are my catch all spaces - what needs to change. What does need to change? 3) De-junking. 4) Find a permanent home for everything even if it's temporary, if that makes any sense.

Step one is already done. Step two will need some processing - give that about four days. Step three can be done simultaneously w/ step two. Step four can be done in a day or two. So I'd say, given my schedule, I can get this accomplished in two weeks at the latest so the latest you'll hear from me on this is the 30th. I actually think I can get it done by Friday, but if not the earliest I can get back to it is Thurs. or Fri. of next week. Anyway, the mental block is what I'm needing help w/. Once I punch through that wall, the mess won't be an issue anymore.

Tell me your thoughts.

[Erudite]

Which part is your mental block? The part about why everything ends up there?

[5ft Diva]

I think so. I think the question that is mulling over and over in my mind is, "Why does it have to be so hard?" Not the cleaning part, the part where I go to use my vanity, desk, or nightstand and I have to do twice the work to even use them. Does that make sense? Anyway, as I've started to challenge my habits I've started to realize that it's time to change some habits.

Okay, processing time:

I used to be really good at organizing and then I had child number four. It didn't occur to me until recently that its not that I'm bad at organizing or that my organizing style is 'out of date', it's the number of kids I have. I'm trying to organize a home for three kids (this is when I went into survival mode big time) when in fact I have six. That just doesn't work. It's like trying to feed a family on a budget for five people when you actually need to be feeding eight. So basically, after child number three was born my coping mechanism was survival mode because of circumstances in my life so I stopped adjusting and just made-do w/ what I had had at the time and have been doing that ever since.

Anyway, I just told someone today that my baby is a year old now and I feel like I've finally gotten my head wrapped around how to take care of all of my kids and now I need to wrap my head around how to keep my house in order for a family of eight. No wonder my organizing has been crazy until now. Every other year I was having to adjust and looking back I realize that I just wasn't keeping up w/ it. Which is okay. There's nothing wrong w/ that....I just now understand why what I saw in my head wasn't what I was creating.

So, to apply: When I do laundry, I create a laundry space for eight people in my family - and not just little kids - I have big boys now. When I am sorting through clothes and deciding which ones to keep and give away I need to realize I'm doing that for six children (relatively speaking). Also, my kids each need to have their own space. I'm trying to organize for my kids all over the house when they just need to organize in their own rooms for themselves. I will be able to do that more when our basement is finished. Ahhhh, can't wait!

Back to the question, "Why does it have to be so hard?" I think I understand where this question is coming from now. It's a little more clear. I don't have to just survive anymore. I can create joy....if that makes any sense.

[runamyrun]

Okay, I have decided to join. Each time I have read this thread, I have felt major guilt. Right now I am not doing very well at keeping my house clean, and because of that I am having a lack of desire to do it. I realize that I am very busy and that I have 4 kids, one of which is a very time consuming baby! But I want to be perfect! So, rather than doing something I really need to do like organize a closet or deep clean something, I am choosing something fun for me. Then maybe I can get the motivation back and work on organizing my house. However, I am not going to neglect my home, kids, etc. to get this done.

I subscribe to Family Fun magazine, and I absolutely love it. I have kept all 4 to 5 years worth of magazines because I want to make a craft binder. I have gone through 2/3 of the magazines and ripped out any of the pages I want, and then organized which category they belong in. I have different holidays, birthday party ideas, recipes, games, etc. The holiday section is almost done. I think I started this project about two years ago, but I stopped because it was overwhelming. I recently started working on it again and was quite pleased with the progress I was able to make. I am not sure how long it will take to finish this project, but for now I am giving myself two months to get it done.

[5ft Diva]

I'm cheering for you, RAR! You can do it!!

---------- Post added at 04:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------

Oh, and I wanted to say, this thread isn't meant to make people feel guilty. It's meant empower. Hopefully that's the feeling everyone feels when they read through these posts.

[Meticulous madness]

Sorry for my 'radio silence' concerning my master bathroom goal.

I actually got really motivated just talking about it on this thread, and motivated by how much the area bothered me. I tore everything off the shelves and off the counters, bought some organizing bins and containers and WENT TO TOWN!!! It was completed before I set a deadline, or had a chance to even contemplate all the good juicy questions and insights of the desired project.

Guaranteed I won't be able to do that with many (if any) of my other projects, so I took advantage of the time and energy.

I must say that I am very pleased with the outcome. In all honesty, there are two drawers left to do. My dd gets into them and plays and rearranges stuff regularly, so I find it pointless to worry about them right now. I'll wait until it's not a temptation for her any longer and then I'll organize them better.


--- Days and Weeks later ---
I am noticing it is much easier to keep it cleaned now that I have a designated parking space for every thing in there (even if the spot isn't perfect, it's logical for now and it definitely beats the viscious mess cycle due to item-homelessness).

I do find that my habit of just leaving stuff on the counter is hard to break. But, I have also found that if I pick up those few things each day and stay on top of it, it never piles up (and it honestly just takes a few seconds to put things away). I'm betting that after this adjustment period, I will find it easier and easier (and hopefully just mindless) to put things away the first time around.

[5ft Diva]

So here's a couple of things I'm trying to work on.

Problem: Tops of vanity, desk, and nightstand collect books, papers, clothes, and other various objects.

Analysis: All of the items that are collected on top of my personal spaces are orphans. They do not have homes. Sometimes these objects change, but it's always the same types of categories (books, papers, outgrown clothes, etc.) that I'm needing to put away.

Solution: Find a home for all of these items. Even if it's temporary. I plan on a lot of of the items having a home once our basement is finished, but until then I just don't really have the room....or do I? I think I do, I just need to be a little creative w/ it. And I know that it is going to feel claustrophobic until my family room and desk area are finished.

Problem: Papers get stacked all over the place and eventually are lost and/or ripped.

Anaylsis: I look at the papers and sit them down for a time when I will have time to do something about the information on them.

Solution: I will find a permanant FIRST home for papers that need to be sorted through. And after that I will resolve to only handle each piece of paper once. I'm pretty good about having a permanent home once I've gone through the papers the problem is finding the time to go through them. I think I've expected time to just present itself to me and that I'll just see a big chunk of time and say, "Ahh, right now will be a great time to go through my papers." It just doesn't work that way. I have to make the time and like I said, only touch each paper once. After each piece of paper is handled - the one time - I will make sure it goes to a permanent location; whether that be the garbage, a file, back to the teacher, or to in the mailbox.

Creating a home for papers and all of the other 'stuff' that is always hanging around my desk will make a huge difference in how I feel before I go to bed and after I wake up.

Do we have another 'return and report' date scheduled? I thought we were going to try to report on the same day so that we don't allow each other to fall through the cracks.

[Erudite]

Originally Posted by Meticulous madness

I tore everything off the shelves and off the counters, bought some organizing bins and containers and WENT TO TOWN!!! It was completed before I set a deadline, or had a chance to even contemplate all the good juicy questions and insights of the desired project.

I must say that I am very pleased with the outcome.
--- Days and Weeks later ---
I am noticing it is much easier to keep it cleaned now that I have a designated parking space for every thing in there (even if the spot isn't perfect, it's logical for now and it definitely beats the viscious mess cycle due to item-homelessness).

I do find that my habit of just leaving stuff on the counter is hard to break. But, I have also found that if I pick up those few things each day and stay on top of it, it never piles up (and it honestly just takes a few seconds to put things away). I'm betting that after this adjustment period, I will find it easier and easier (and hopefully just mindless) to put things away the first time around.

WAY TO GO!!!!! This is SO GREAT!!! If you did this for one space, you can do it for any other space!! The "juicy" (I'm on the floor laughing at that adjective) questions will help, but they aren't essential. Clearly you didn't need them OR you already knew the answers and they (the answers) were enough motivation to really get going. That's all that was asked for. You are SO the next leader when we're ready to switch!


And RAR!!! Welcome and Congrats on your project too! I'm with 5D...this wasn't supposed to make any one feel guilty but just give some positive vibes for getting good stuff done that makes our lives easier. And if it did that....woo hoo for you!!

I have to admit that I STILL haven't cleaned out my drawer. I'm just not in the bathroom enough I guess. I'll try to do it today while I'm blowing my hair and report back.

Last, I did something rather bold. Our Enrichment night last night was a "service auction". People got "points" for doing stuff like brushing their teeth and reading their scriptures and we exchanged the points for fun money and then had an auctioneer to auction off different services and goods (like brownies and scrapbooking stuff). My service was "decor and/or organization of a space". And people actually bid on it! So one of my friends got the service so I'll be officially helping her to organize a space in her home. I'm so excited...and a little hesitant too. What I don't know enough? Well, I want to find that out so I can learn more, right? Anyway, doing this thread with you guys and helping 5D in her basement really gave me more confidence in this area. So I hope to do some good!

---------- Post added at 11:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 AM ----------

Originally Posted by 5ft Diva

Do we have another 'return and report' date scheduled? I thought we were going to try to report on the same day so that we don't allow each other to fall through the cracks.

Oops. No. We were letting everyone pick their own due date. MM just charged ahead (woo hoo again MM!) and RAR just joined and I missed my due date (can I "blame" that on an old friend showing up at my door? No...it's just that I really am in my bathroom just twice a day quickly). So do we need to pull this back together and have everyone report on what's been done (I LOVE the way 5D did it, but you can do it any way that's best for you) and what you're doing next? Can we do that by Monday, March 30th?

I'm going to go clean out my bathroom drawer now.

---------- Post added at 11:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------

5D, a couple of thoughts on the paper issues.

Try creating a home for incoming mail and/or papers. The home needs to be near the door that is used most often for exiting and entering (did I show you were my mail basket is?) and everyone in the home needs to put all mail and papers that Mom is supposed to look at there. It would be best if the home were near a garbage too.

Once the home is established (thinking about your house...can you attach a pretty basket to your coat closet door or the front door?), you have to have a time each day to clean it out. If school papers are going there, it's got to be before the kids go back to school, so after dinner might be a suggestion.

Then at that time each day, you take all the papers to the garbage can and promptly throw away the garbage (ie junk mail). If you keep a pen in the basket or near the garbage, you can sign any school papers.

Then take whatever is left to its proper home. For me, I need to establish a home for magazines that haven't been looked at. That's especially true for Mike's magazines. Right now, I'm taking them all to the table near my comfy chair in my family room and that table is near to overflowing because I so rarely get the time to look through, rip out what I want, and throw away. I probably do that only once a month. But I also need reading time to read the articles that I want to read...hmmmm the wheels are spinning here. I'm going to go to Ikea and get some magazine holders and clean off a shelf here in my office for them. I read more often in here any way.

Sorry...tangent there. Proper home can also be an in/out box on your desk where you sort papers by what needs to be done with them...bills, emails to send, receipts, etc. I have that kind of thing right next to my incoming mail basket. I do bills once a week on Saturdays (ok, I'm currently a week behind, but tomorrow is Saturday and I'll catch up). I put the grocery store ads with my grocery list in my kitchen so I can make the list from the ads and then I throw the ad away.

Anyway, that's what's worked well for me. I hope it helps! It helped me to type it out because woohoo! I get a trip to Ikea out of the above thinking.