Organizing

Recently we had a Relief Society workshop about organization, and I think it changed my life. It changed the way I'm living at home at least. And I'm very excited about it.

Before this activity I thought I was a pretty clean, organized person. I have important documents in a binder with tabs. I like everything to have a place. But I found there are way more organized people than me. And I was in ah of them! Though I did think cleaning the toilet every time you use it--comment from someone in the peanut gallery--was going a bit far.

What I've gleaned:

- I can get rid of things I don't use. There's no use in keeping something that I might use, when really I haven't used it in 3 years. Like the candles I might light someday. It's been 3 years, I don't think I like the smell, their bottoms are sticky, get rid of them.

- Similarly, I don't need to take something just because it's offered to me. I have a weakness for taking anything free. Afterall, maybe I'll use it someday. But after a year or two of not wearing turquoise shirt, I should just donate it. Save wasted space!

- Organize 10 minutes a day. Set a timer and just pick one small space to organize. I've done it and I loved it. It's amazing how much better a space can look and feel in 10 minutes.

- Only file documents you must. How many old internet bills do I have? Um, many. Have I ever needed them? Hm, not yet. A good idea with things like old bills: have the new bill replace the old. Then you don't have binders of old bills you don't need. Also, we were given binder inserts to organize important documents like certificates, government papers, etc. And I need to get to work on this, I haven't changed them out yet.

- Only handle it once (OHIO). Now I'm one who avoids using acronyms. But this one I like. It helps me remember that if I need to take my shoes to my closet there are 2 ways I could do it. Option #1: Put shoes on stairs. Later, take shoes to my room. Much later, put those shoes in my closet. Or Option #2: Go put the shoes in my closet. Not much work, but saves me that nagging feeling of needing to do something later. And it keeps the house less cluttered.

- Have a daily, weekly, monthly cleaning schedule. Now this idea I got from very organized friend Emily. It's really helped me make the most of my time. Now I know what time during the day I will read scriptures, do chores, read, organize, exercise or write emails and blog posts. And things like cleaning the bathroom aren't going by the wayside quite as much. And I like that she calls cleaning "chores". It makes me feel like I really have to get it done when it's called my daily chores.

Organizing gives me some kind of natural high. And so does listmaking. So having a list of how to stay organized is so awesome. I feel like I'm well on my way to being like Super Mom Katie Christensen or Melinda Gill. Hopefully it will only be a help and not something to guilt me or stress me out. Here's hoping.