Wrong.
Sure, we all have too many things to do this month, and organizing gives us the shakes at any time of the year. How can I possibly suggest adding this dreaded task to a month full of errands, parties, and temptations?
The short answer? It will put you in a good mood.
Yes, you'll want to cram a dozen snickerdoodles in your mouth and shoot anyone who comes near you while you're organizing--no biggie. When you finish, your soul will lighten. Your brain will find a teeny bit of room for possibilities. It's true!
We have a "scary closet" in our basement. It's full of photo albums, toys, board games, books, and out of season coats. For months I couldn't push my way into this small room. Last weekend I got serious. Pulled everything out. Grabbed trash bags. Forced the kids to decide what stays and what goes. The closet is now organized and even has room for more storage. I can't tell you how delighted I am to know this room isn't bulging anymore!
One of our pantry shelves was an explosion of napkins, paper party plates, and who knows what else. Every time I opened the door, I saw a big mess, which made me think I should clean it up, but I just shut the door. Yesterday, I organized that beast. No more guilt!
I'm also tidying my computer files and organizing my address book (what better time to do this than while filling out Christmas cards?).
Honestly, the pantry situation took about twelve minutes to fix. The computer files? Thirty minutes. My address book? An hour tops. The scary closet took two hours but was worth every second.
Without all of these known clutter areas in my house, my soul feels lighter. And yours will too!
What problem area in your house can you organize before the new year?
The fabulous, Jennifer Hale, hosted me on her blog yesterday! Stop by to read "Busy Mom? Find Peace in Your Day."
Have a terrific weekend!!
Getting myself more organized is on my to-do list, especially the playroom/studio
ReplyDeleteYay!! You're going to be so excited when you get your studio organized. I'll bet you have to be dragged out of there! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous idea, Jill, especially because during the holidays, the house feels packed to the gills and pretty disorganized. My husband's wrapping presents on the dining room table and I'm about to clear out the china closet so it can be painted. There are other mini renovations going on. It feels quite chaotic.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm going to take your advice an clear away the detritus on the top of the bookshelf here in my study where I work. Thanks for the nudge!
So true! I try not to stuff too many decorations in our house, but I love Christmas and inevitably put out a good amount. Good for you tackling that bookshelf. You'll feel better after--trust me!!
DeleteI'd like to organize a better place for the firewood. Right now it lives in the kitchen, which is okay, but having an 'island' of cottonwood logs feels...weird.
ReplyDeletehttp://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/
That's a tough one. Outside, it gets wet. Inside, it's a space killer. Good luck finding your solution!
DeleteHow funny! The night before last, I organized our battery drawer (it had reached critical mass after two days without power). Just before that, I'd organized my baking supplies cabinet! We must be on the same wavelength. Merry Christmas, Jill! Happy Organized New Year! ;)
ReplyDelete"Critical Mass" Love it!! Don't you feel better knowing the scary drawer and baking supplies are neat? :)
DeleteLove this, Jill. I go through phases. Right now, I think I need a happy fix, so I'm going to take your advice and conquer the piles on our kitchen counter. Then, I might hit my scary project room which currently houses all sorts of this-and-that's.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm on a good groove, I decide on which room I want to work on and I set a timer for 10-15 minutes. I work like a crazy woman until the timer goes off and then I let it be. Until tomorrow. That makes me happy. :)
Love the timer idea, Jeanne! This makes me happy too! Enjoy!
DeleteI'm going to try that timer trick!
ReplyDeleteWe were looking for a kitchen item that we haven't seen since we moved over a year ago. So I ended up reorganizing my plastic containers/bowls/lids ... huge relief! It had gotten so messy.
ReplyDelete