I came across a must read article today that I just happened to find through someone through my sitemeter (does that make sense?). Anyway, I’m so sorry I forgot to bookmark who that person was that led me to such a terrific article and when I went back to sitemeter the link was gone. Whoever you are I thank you.
The article I’m talking about was written by Lady Lydia of Homeliving Helper and it’s called Organizing for Success. She discusses the problems of disorganization that are keeping us from enjoying our homes. It’s long but let me assure you well worth the read….I know you’ll come away feeling inspired!
Want more? She also wrote a great post on Dealing with the Clutter….insightful and practical tips you don’t want to miss.
Seriously, I’m so excited for you to read these…I’m all fired up about it and dying to discuss it and since I can’t invite you over for tea I’ll do the next best thing and invite you to come back here and let me know what you thought and we can pretend we are having tea 🙂 Did you learn anything, does it make you want to get organizing, clear out some clutter, re-think your routines, habits, systems, stand on your head?? Anything? Don’t leave me hanging!
Inspired to get organizing? Meet me back here April 3rd and join the 30 Day Organizational Challenge!!
Quietromance says
I have decided to take the challenge! I put a banner in one of my posts and one in my sidebar, needless to say I am excited. 🙂
Espresso Girl says
I read the blogs you mentioned and knew that this was a message definitely meant for me today. Thank you!! I have been diagnosed with chronic depression and have lacked organization and motivation lately. I believe that the condition of my home does influence the condition of my mind.
I am also taking on your challenge!! I put your banner on my blog and I am quite excited about it. My blog is The Pottery Barn Cafe.
Debi says
Brought my tea.
Just read Organizing for Success. She really struck a nerve. That definitely describes me…the depression when things are chaotic. And I must admit, in the last year, things around here have gotten more and more out of control. Seems like the worse things get, the harder it is to do something about it.
But just within the last couple weeks, I decided I had had enough. I was going through this house from top to bottom and turning it into someplace I wanted to live. Lady Lydia mentioned that it took her about a year…and that’s pretty much what I had been thinking it would take me. (I even started a silly blog to help keep me on track and motivated.) Some days I get very little done, but I’m determined to keep plugging away.
I’m really good at not holding on to too many things, as Lady Lydia suggested. My biggest problem is the four other people in this house who are total pack-rats. Any suggestions on that one?
Anyway, thanks for sharing the article. And thanks for you inspiration!
Anne Jones says
I am de-lurking to leave a comment today! Thanks so much for your great blogging…I enjoy reading, and the article today was WONDERFUL! As someone who helps others organize their homes and lives, I loved what the article had to say! I like to think that organizing is cleansing for the soul…a good physical representation of the true freedom it can bring to one’s life!
Anonymous says
I have just been turned on to your site lately, and let me say that I am very excited about this link. I am moving into a new (bigger) house next week and I can’t wait to be out from under these piles. I’ve been in a temporary place for the last three years that was much too small so we’ve have boxes stacked in every corner. I am thrilled with the idea that getting rid of this clutter as we unpack will renew me! Thanks!!
Kara says
You lost me at “It’s long but…” LOL I guess I could pull it up and maybe read it between blogging and come back lol.
Thea says
It’s amazing how freeing it can be to donate something (or throw it in the trash). I do the best that I can, but I do feel my chest start to seize up when I start to feel overwhelmed with STUFF. And that’s what it is, really. STUFF. I’m so glad there’s people like you around!!
Krissy says
I haven’t read the first 2 articles yet, but I did read the Clutter one. It was good! I try to stay on top of things but she brought up that very valid point of those left behind to deal with our stuff – I’m going to take a fresh new look at my home. What made me a bit sad, though, was the 3rd commenter on that post mentioning she didn’t want to get rid of her deceased mother’s items because her mother treasured them. Having someone else’s clutter on top of your own can be complete chaos. It is almost like she wants to hold onto it to keep her mother around. Perhaps over time she’ll heal enough and get rid of most of it.
Kimberly says
Wow…what fabulous posts! Thanks for linking them for us. I’ve definitely noticed a correlation between my organizing and my depression levels (I suffer from late diagnosed post-partum – yeuch!). The high I get from organizing definitely counteracts the low from the depression. Sadly, the high only lasts so long. Thank goodness I have so much to organize!
Kara says
That was a good article. Clutter really does feel like a burden to me, like a weight pressing on my mind. My mother-in-law could really benefit from this as well. She suffers from depression and when she’s depressed she shops, mostly at thrift stores or garage sales, and her house is packed with clutter, which I’m sure probably makes her even more depressed.
org junkie says
Thank you so much girls for your comments…they motivate ME! Our power was out all morning so I didn’t get back here earlier to check in….what kind of hostess am I?
You have all made some great points. I think the four biggest problems of disorganization as Lydia discussed are:
stress
depression
wasted time
wasted money
We can experience one of these or all of them. I know when the clutter seeps into my house I feel immediately overwhelmed and become an ugly, ugly person which is why I think I try so hard to stay on top of things. It isn’t easy though that is for sure.
I loved when Lydia wrote “hands engage the mind and change the chemistry of the brain in some way, when a person is organizing”. Wow…I always just assumed it was the sense of accomplishment that made me feel so good but to know it might be more than that is mind boggling. I’ll see if I can find more info on this.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me ladies.
Laura
L says
Laura,
What I got out of the article “Dealing With Clutter” was the part about how Spring cleaning can make one miserable (that is me!) I have been discouraged and frustrated because I want to declutter and at every level I’ve been knocked down because of chronic health issues and other life stuff (including a sick dh).
I plan to take her advice and just declutter at least 15 minutes a day. No, it will not happen overnight, but I also won’t be stressed out, exhausted and frustrated, and I can make time for things that really matter like enjoying life with the little energy I do have! I think the point is, even a little bit each day makes a difference.
Why do we as women always think it’s all or nothing?
org junkie says
That is such a great point.
15 minutes a day is definitely an achievable goal….over 30 days that is 450 minutes or 7.5 hours!
Every little bit counts for sure!
Laura
Chris says
Great articles! I know from my own life and twenty years of marriage that clutter and a disorganized home has a huge effect on me. It is burdensome and effects my ability to freely enjoy my family and others.
Learning the necessary skills to keep our homes not only clean but organized and clutter free is so valuable.
crissybug says
Thanks for the links. They were both great articles. I definately am challenged when it comes to this area. I would like to have a clean, pristine, organized house, but it never seems to happen!
I will be putting a big star on the 3rd, and joining in on the fun. I think I even have in mind the project that I will be doing!
Barb says
Uh oh. Laura’s all fired up. Run!
LOL
I’m anticipating a huge participation in your challenge. You have the most amazing ability to find a gajillion people who desperately want to get organized. My house is organized within an inch of its life but boy, I’d love to hire you to “fix” Rob’s garage. He says it’s organized. I say not. But we have an agreement – he doesn’t tell me how to organize the house and I just stay out of his garage. 🙂
Csara says
Wow, I saw your Monday Menu Plan stuff and did that for a couple of weeks on another blog b/c I normally try to menu plan anyway. That was just extra motivational. LOL! Now I am totally in to your organizational challenge and all of your amazing tips. I will definitely be back…..often. 🙂 GREAT blog!!
Cheryl says
Thanks for the links to the articles. It confirmed a lot of what I believe and am currently in the process of doing. I’ve been spending 10-15 minutes a day ona regular basis to declutter (I’ve taken a few days off here and there) and am surprised to see I’ve been doing this for 5 MONTHS!! Boy, the time went fast. My home is much improved although I still have quite a ways to go. I think my accumulation has been going on for about 10 years so, realistically, it’ll take me a while to get my home back. I’m happy to say, though, that I can invite people over for tea on a moment’s notice but now no one has the time because they’re all rushing home to clean their houses. 🙂
Tracy says
Nothing like striking a nerve with me. I don’t want people in my house at all. I am embarrassed that my house has gotten so messy. Now here is the thing…in my family, I am the messiest person. In my husband’s family, I am the cleanest person. How is the for extremes?!
This article is so true. I find that I am depressed because my house is out of control. To most coming in, they don’t think it is. BUT everything is a struggle. Living in your house should NOT be a struggle! It should be easy and a pleasure to wake up and know that everything is in it’s place. I would love to know what is going on through out the week instead of guessing or being late for an appt.
I truly need to get my act together.
I am off to read the second article. Not sure if I will be back to comment, but you never know!
AliceAnderson says
Great post, I really enjoyed the homemaker blog. It’s such a lost art. I wish more folks realized that. I’m looking forward to the 30 day challenge. I’ve been organizing heavily since the beginning of the year and am proud to say that my basement is 95% organized… much to my amazement. That’s what happens when the termite guy says he’ll be there in three days to drill holes in the floor. LOL I never thought I’d be able to organize that mess in three days, but I did. It was like 12/14 hour days, but it’s wonderful. Your challenge gave me inspiration to post my own challenge today on my blog: reduce visual clutter… something I needed to do in my home office. We’ll see how it goes.