Loving Lately: Organization

I’ve always been a *somewhat organized person. I’m a can be prone to self-diagnosed OCD, or type A… or both, whatever you want to call it. I like to think I was doing pretty good until child number three. After child number four, I lost (ahem) some control. Firstly let me say, “I know there are people with more kids than me.” Secondly let me say, “I don’t know how they do it!” Oh I’m so tired right now. Okay, back to organization.

Organization is key. Even if you are one of those crazy desk, sticky notes everywhere mad geniuses- you have a system. (I am not that person, although on many special days when you walk through my front door you might mislabel me as that person- without the genius.) I appreciate order, a place for everything and all of that. So when all of the toys start piling up and I feel like exploding, I beg my husband to rent a dumpster and park it in the driveway. True story. But then my more practical side takes over; I push up my sleeves and start to declutter. DECLUTTER, I love that word. Let’s simplify. Three piles: keep, donate and throw away. Ahhh. (Perhaps a fourth pile named “garage sale” if you are so inclined.)

Also, I’ve been reading articles on organized/successful people that seemingly have it all together. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

• Make your bed in the morning. This is something I do already, it adds a sense of tidy even if everything else is in chaos. It’s good for my mental health.
• Make to do lists. I’ve been getting better about this. I’ve actually been pretty okay (how’s that for a description?) at writing things down, I’m just actually getting better about following up on the lists and scratching them off upon completion. Yes. One article I read suggested keeping a list at the side of your bed. I like that idea since I (and probably most people) think of things I need to do while I winding down- coincidentally enough.
• Use a calendar. This is right up here with lists, and if you have a planner you probably have them combined. Since I have a house of 6 people with different appointments, check-ups and sport activities, etc. I have to have a calendar, because I am ridiculous I prefer a paper calendar (as opposed to electronic) that I most often leave at home. (…a work in progress)
• Meal plan. Oh my gosh, I wish I was this awesome. What professionalism! I really wing it way too often. But who knows, maybe one day Sadie’s Nest will feature a whole section on meal planning. It really does make sense on so many levels. And you get to make and scratch off more lists- bonus.

Of course there are tips on sorting, labeling, shelving, folding… One day at a time. I feel really successful when the dishes are done, a load is in the laundry machine and everyone’s teeth are brushed. (And all of the toys are gone. Just kidding. Sorta.)