Comments on: Organizing for Success

By: AliceAnderson

AliceAnderson — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:10:00 +0000

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.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 20:39:00 +0000

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!

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 15:48:00 +0000

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. :-)

By: Csara

Csara — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 13:00:00 +0000

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!!

By: Barb

Barb — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:02:00 +0000

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. :-)

By: crissybug

crissybug — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:53:00 +0000

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!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:02:00 +0000

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.

By: org junkie

org junkie — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:34:00 +0000

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

By: L

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:14:00 +0000

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?

By: org junkie

org junkie — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:18:00 +0000

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