TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME

We get so busy with the hustle and bustle of every day life, that we can easily get overwhelmed by the disorganization of our homes.  And sometimes, we just don't know where to start, so we continue to put it off.  Meanwhile, the situation just continues to get worse! 

Here are some tips that might help you to get your home organized and help keep it that way:
  

1. Set Goals for Each Room - Try making a list for each room, on what you wish to accomplish for that particular room.  Making a list will help you to maintain focus and will help to keep that overwhelmed feeling at bay.  It can be very gratifying to mark things off of that list as you get each goal accomplished.
2. What Organization Means to You - This is really important because what one person finds is organized to them, might be a confusing mess to someone else.  So remember that organization means different things to different people.  Try to find out what is the source of your organization problems and tackle it from that point of view.
3. Keep it Simple - Stick to easy solutions that you can commit to and stick to.  
4. Start Small - Start with the areas that you spend the most time in.  For example, maybe you want to start out by organizing your kitchen.  Start with your cabinets and just tackle it one cabinet at a time.  Then do your drawers and maybe your counter tops after that.  You will most likely not organize an entire room all in one day.  Try setting aside a certain amount of time each day, or one night a week, to work on your organizing.  Doing a little bit at a time will help to alleviate that feeling of being overwhelmed, but still feel as though you are working toward your goals.
5. What to do With Unwanted Items - Decide what you will want to do with your unwanted items.  The list is endless, really, on what you can do with those items.  You may have a friend or relative that you can give things to.  You can also donate to local charity organizations, churches, consignment stores, etc.  You may even want to have a garage sale and make a little profit for all of your hard work!   
6. Keep Interruptions to a Minimum - In the world of having children, this can be a tough one but a necessary one.  Try to pick a time when the kids are busy playing or maybe even in bed!  This will cut down on the constant interruptions that our wonderful children can bring.  Maybe organizing in the morning (before every one else is up and moving) is a better and more productive time for you.  And if you can help it, don't answer the phone.  That's what voice mail is for!
7. Simple Things - Have you ever gone to get yourself some headache medicine but can't find it because every medicine that you have bought over the last 5 years is still in the medicine cabinet?  I have!  You will be amazed just how good it would feel to take 30 minutes just to clean out the medicine cabinet.  It will be like a breath of fresh air, the next time you have a headache!  Try cleaning off the refrigerator magnets too.  You certainly don't have to get rid of all of them but do you really need 30?  You will also be surprised at what an eye sore all of those magnets are, and how much nicer, that alone will make your kitchen look.
8. Where is Your Grocery List? - Have you ever been in the middle of cooking spaghetti, only to find out that you are out of tomato sauce?  Gotta love it when that happens!  Try designating a place for a grocery list and be sure to write down items as soon as you run out of them.  This is especially helpful with those things that are not every day (or weekly) items.
9. Storage Containers - Rubbermaid containers/decorative baskets are great for storing your things in an organized fashion.  Maybe you are tired of seeing all of your every day items all over the bathroom counter.  But you use these items every day, so what are you to do?  You can buy an inexpensive decorative basket (or use one you have laying around the house) and put all of those items in one place.  Your counter will be less cluttered but you will still have those frequently used items conveniently close. 
10. Organizing Bills - If your bills are not organized, it can be very difficult to remember what to pay and when to pay it.  Buy a bill organizer and put it (neatly) where you can see it.  There are standing bill organizers (which is what I recommend) that have a slot for each day of the month.  (I purchased mine for $21.00.)  By seeing this regularly, you are less likely to forget to make that car payment!
11. Organizing your Mail - When you get your mail, throw away the junk mail immediately.  Try having a basket for bills, things to look at, and things to shred.  This REALLY helps keep those piles of mail from turning into mountains.  And as soon as you open those bills, promptly put them in your bill organizer in the appropriate due date slot.

The little things can make a big difference in our daily lives.  By taking baby steps and starting small, things can be more manageable and less stressful.