Maybelline has that catchy tagline essentially making you wonder if someone is naturally beautiful or simply wearing Maybelline makeup. It got me thinking how this so much relates to organizing as well. How often do you walk into an organized home and make the assumption that they must be naturally organized? That to be that organized they must be born with it. And well since you weren’t born with it, why bother even trying, it’s hopeless.
The reality is maybe they’ve just got some really fantastic coverup going on. And by coverup I mean tools and skills that help them achieve the look and function of an organized home. It’s one thing to buy makeup but we have to learn the skill to putting it on too. It’s no different with organizing.
Organizing is a skill and anyone can learn it!
Yep I truly believe that.
So the next time you go into someone’s house who looks like they have it all together, ask to see their “makeup” case. Maybe you haven’t learned the necessary skills yet that they have, but you can. You most definitely can. Don’t beat yourself up about it either. We don’t learn to put a whole face on at one time. We learn to cover blemishes, then how to do our eyes, then maybe lips and so on. Well guess what, it’s a process….just like organizing is!! Haven’t I been saying that forever now? 🙂
Think of it this way, not everyone can be a Professional Photographer, the same way not everyone can be a Professional Organizer, BUT anyone can learn to take a picture.
So to all my disorganized friends out there, stop using the excuse that you can’t get organized because you weren’t born with some sort of magical organizing gene. There ISN”T one. You too can be an organizing junkie. Yes I’m talking to YOU!
Learn the organizing PROCESS.
Develop daily organizing habits.
Take it one day and one task at a time.
So the next time you get discouraged by someone’s organized home, forget thinking maybe she’s born with it. Nonsense! Instead think of it as an opportunity instead because girlfriend you just hit the jackpot and now have someone to show you how it’s done. Whoot!
There is no shame in not having learned the necessary skills yet because the good news is, it’s not too late. The benefits of organization are plentiful including saving time, money and experiencing so much less stress. Sounds great, right?
So what are you waiting for, today is a brand new day! Go get your organizing “face” on 🙂
Kim Jemmott says
I have a couple friends who grew up with really organised mothers and it seems to have rubbed off on them.Sadly the reverse is also true somtimes. It is very possible to make the decision to be more organied and to do it. I was not born with it,but I’m trying really hard!!
Laura says
That’s what I like to hear Kim!! 🙂
Sabrina says
I tell my clients, make your system simple and it will be easier to manage. Great post. I will definitely share.
Laura says
Thanks Sabrina!
Elizabeth in Georgia says
Laura,
This is so true! I was definitely not born “with it” but I have learned to do little things every day that eventually add up to the bigger picture! Right now I am concentrating on doing small tasks daily to get ready for the Holidays. I have to keep perfection at bay because I want “it all” but I have to always remind myself I can’t “have it all” and I can still get my house looking like a million bucks without spending millions… the simpler the better. It will be the first Holiday in our new home near Atlanta and I am excited to do something new… but I need to keep it within budget and keep stress away.
Jenn Hoff says
This is so encouraging! My mom is naturally organized (her favorite toy is her label maker!), and I am very unorganized. I am a messy, creative person who just wasn’t born with that gene! We were at each others throats for the first 18 years of my life. The last couple of years, however, I have felt my creativity blocked by so much clutter everywhere- it stresses me out! I had absolutely no idea how to do it or where to start. I found your website and tried tackling little projects one at a time. My biggest problem is looking at a pile of stuff and seeing “categories” for them to be separated into. I lay out everything on the floor, look at it, and see no patterns or commonalities. So I’ve skyping my mom or a friend who naturally sees how it can all be separated. The container thing is hard, too. When it’s all finally sorted into categories, I throw each one into a bag and take it to the store with me so I can “try on” different containers. Usually there is some employee who can help me figure it out. 🙂
Sorry this is so long…. the point of it is that you are absolutely right that it is a skill that can be learned. And I want to thank you for how educational your blog is! You never talk down to those of us who weren’t born with a label maker from the womb, you just encourage us and take us through it step by step. Thank you! It has been, and continues to be, really helpful to me. 🙂
Stephanie @ Sustaining the Powers says
“…born with a label maker from the womb…” Lol! I’m dying laughing over here!! That sentence probably describes me more than the post, but I think this sentiment is the same accross many things- you can always learn and grow. Love the great resources here to share the next time someone comments about not bei g good at organizing.