Source: From a book published by Fawcett Crest in 1960
By caseye from Plano, TX
I started to gather my hair things and felt overwhelmed by all the categories. I had three sizes and types of bobby pins alone. Even that felt like too much. So I picked the medium brown ones, and literally went around the room and gathered each one I found until I had them all and put a rubber band around them and put them in a small box. Then I picked the second kind, searched them all out, rubberbanded them, and added them to the box.
I found I needed to break the categories down to one at a time, taking it through the gathering, securing, and placing, otherwise I felt overwhelmed. I had been postponing this day of reckoning for a long time. I let my feelings be my guide. If I didn't feel confused or overwhelmed, I continued. I went by size, category, attachment, conflict, etc. If I felt conflicted, I put it down and worked on something else or broke the task down to yet smaller tasks.
This room contained sewing things, a knitting machine, two spinning wheels, wool, yarn, dyes, a loom, clothing, books, and all the equipment which went with these hobbies. It took me two long, long days, probably 8-9 hours per day, plus a bit of a 3rd day to get things hung up, sorted and given a place, categorized, thrown away, and so on.
Afterward, I let things go for a while again until it got messy, perhaps to test myself. When it reached a degree of clutter I couldn't abide, not as bad as the first time, I did the same thing. I had to break it down, just as before, to get the job done with any degree of inner peace. But after that second round, organizing anything was never a problem again, and in fact, I do it to relax. I am more than happy to help clean up disorganization in my grandchildren's houses when they are at work, and very little dismays me. I have been lost, and found my own way out.
Chaos does not unnerve me anymore, as long as I can help do something about it. So I suggest being the feeling creatures we are, use your feelings as your guide and break it down until you feel all right, and clutter just magically disappears.
By pikka from Westminster, CO
I have known many friends and family that have had problems with getting their home as nice as they wished. There was not a parent around to teach them, due to work or illness. The plan is to make a list of the kinds of areas in the home and the things the family needs and wants. I helped a new mom by visiting her 2 to 3 times a week. I taught her to organize using a basket, big garbage bags and sticky notes.
To collect and clear things, first take the garbage bag around and pick up garbage and waste. Some people throw away bottles and cartons but we are encouraged to recycle them. Do this collecting in every room. Next, the basket is for laundry to be collected and put in laundry area to do later. After that, take the basket again and this time collect toys to return them to the rooms so the children can put away their toys. Once the basket is empty again, it is time to collect the dishes. Most homes have cups and glasses all over the place so do not do the dishes until collecting is done.
The sticky pad is for reminders where some things go back to, mostly major items. Start with tools, games, cords, first aid, pet items. There are always things like this that get around and lost if there is not a dependable return place.
Now look around the home and see how much you have cleared away and how easy it is to clean now. You will be happy to see how 25 minutes can get most of your home clean. The organizing slowly improves with the spots named and the family can see how things are supposed to be. This is leading by example. There are many young people with a family that get feeling sad about the home and need some slow simple instuctions to reclaim the nice things and feelings about home life.
By Carolyn
My husband and I use it for insurance papers, etc. Seems kind of simple, I realize, but you'd be surprised how many times this has come in SO HANDY!
By CandaceK from Scottsdale, AZ
This is a tip for decorating and organizing at the same time. I love to decorate meaningfully. I recently scanned a garbage collection schedule distributed to households by the government, divided the image into two parts, printed each on a standard photo paper and put the photos in a nice picture frame. I chose the picture frame that matches my other decor in my downstairs washroom. Now, the schedule will never be lost and we will hopefully never miss the garbage day again. Neat and inexpensive idea.We have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. There are 3 of us and we are not cramped or cluttered.
By Carly34 from Lynnwood, WA
A couple of days before my parents went on an extended trip to Japan, my mother took extra time and moved the pots and pans from drawer under the stove to another set of drawers. It took me about 30 minutes to find things so I could just cook my supper. I almost quit to go out to eat.
But Don Aslett is not a neat freak, he just believes in avoiding having to do unnecessary movements when cleaning. After all, he was in the hotel cleaning business for a good part of his career. He believes in function as well as cleanliness.
By Tim from Science Hill, KY
Personal letters should be the only thing on the counter as residents come home. Important personal correspondence can be shared daily. Less stress.
Source: The idea..not the exact words came from a de-cluttering article I read years ago.
By Lynn from Bridgeville, PA
By Pat from Phoenix, AZ
By Vasu from Cleveland
I need tips to help organize my home.
Dear Elizabeth,
I was in the same place you are. I just knew that any day the Health Department would arrive and I'd be cited for having a dangerously cluttered home.
Then for, I took a good look around and discovered for the first time exactly what my problem was.
I'd known all along that I didn't have too much stuff, I'm a thrower. But...what was the problem?
Duh! I didn't have ample shelving. It was a simple as that. I had a garage sale before moving, sold all the shelves, but brought the clothing, books, dishes, etc. to the new home. But now I had a super home, but the items didn't!
So...VERY cheaply and some help from super male and female neighbors who are skilled at installing shelves, everything has a home!
Now, if you're a "hoarder" that's a different issue. I've reviewed Fly Lady and think it's a great site. But you might not need it, if you find, like I did that you were missing shelving - not forgetting to put things in their designated spots. Before you can put things away - they have to have an address!
I personally have a really hard time keeping anything in my home organized. My husband and I got married and moved from KY/IN area to Northeast GA 6 months ago and still have boxes everywhere. Now we are talking about starting a home business as well. We need ideas for a multitude of books, keepsakes, pictures, clothes, dishes, food, etc. for the home part and it needs to be something that can be done cheaply but not look cheap.
We have people in and out of the house sparaticly due to my husband being a Youth Minister. I would love to get my house organized and not go out of my mind trying to organize a home office as well. Also, any ideas for kids stuff would be a blessing too. (Trying to plan ahead.) Thank you so much.
Jeggie from Elberton, GA
You may possibly have too much stuff and not enough space in which to put it. So don't blame yourself!