organizing

[pianistimo]

just read a good article by julie morgenstern in better homes and gardens 'secrets of getting organized' magazine.  she blasted what i usually do.  i just go on a rampage and throw things out and buy lots of containers.  this is what she says to do:

1. what's working?  (can be as simple as 'i know where the calculator is')
2. what's not working?  (later you come back to solve the list)
3. what is essential? (most people only use 20% of what they own in a given category).
4. why do you want to get organized? (to invite friends over, to get rid of the piles)
5.  what is causing the clutter?  (usually technical error and not laziness).

then she talks about strategizing and then following this plan (SPACE)
S = sort similar items
P= purge duplicates and outdated items
A= assign a home for what you are going tokeep.
C=containers.  make a list of the type and size you need.
E= equalize - how to maintain yours system; spend three to five minutes a day in each room putting things away.  every six months to year 'tune up' your system.

this lady has a forum site at www.juliemorganstern.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi 

[thalbergmad]

If you are born disorganized, you remain disorganized.

There is no cure.

[rc]

Well... I can be pretty organized when I want to be, it's just not always a priority . I would fall under the E in SPACE, needs more regular maintainance.

My system's pretty easy, I pick up each piece of clutter and ask it two things... Do I need you? and where's your home?

...The dynamic must change when you're living with others. It's not unheard of for my step-mom to make all sorts of things disappear when she 'cleans up'. My brothers idea of cleaning is to shovel everything into garbage bags, throw them behind the couch and bury them underneath blankets. His room seems real clean until you see the enormous bags of miscellany he's going to have to sort out some unfortunate day... That IS lazy. Why do I still lend him things?

Actually, I think that all clutter basically is laziness. If I were to always put things away immediately instead of throwing 'em on the table to be taken care of later, there would be no such thing. *shrugs*

[pianistimo]

compared to my husband, i was born organized.  compared to women friends, i was not.  what does this mean for my future?  will i always be disorganized.  will there always be that corner of the counter that has unaccounted for miscellany that noone wants me to throw out because it has some hidden meaning to them?  or that portion of the fridge that starts smelling - and someone says 'the kitchen smells funny.'  whatever i get on top of (say if it's a whole room) the next room starts falling apart.  now, i just wander from room to room, doing little things here and there so that i trick the house into thinking that it can't get away from me.  (speaking of garbage bags, i always find those in my sons room ad they truly are miscellany that only he knows what to do with).  sometimes they try to stick their unneeded stuff in the four year olds bedroom closet.  but, lately - i just take it back to their room.

don't know why i still care.  aren't you glad you play piano?  when you are too tired to care - you just go and practice and it takes the stress away, right?!

[annoying_airhead]

Look on the bright side - you don't (literally!) need to wade through ankle/knee deep worth of (cool) *junk.

NB:  Most of it being pile of books (and clothing ... & stuff) - I need to get some shelves!

[pianistimo]

yes.  shelves and stuff are really great.  i used to think they were too expensive, but you can sort of 'cheat' by going to a bed and bath place and get little shelves that work great for novels and smaller books.  the larger ones, those 'knick nack' box like things that hang on the wall would work, too.  i'm finding it doesn't have to be expensive to organize.  just takes time (which no one seems to have these days).

having company come is what always seems to get me motivated.  we are having company next weekend, so of course, i'm finally cleaning under, around, and in the couch.  there was a garbage bag full of pennies, pencils, crumbs, popcicle sticks, candy wrappers, etc. and, my couch covers i finally made - work really well.  i just put them in the wash and 'voila' the couch is clean.  use covers on everything!  it helps!

[annoying_airhead]

Or if I could just convince Dad to get off his 'lazy' butt and make me some...?  Ahh.. wishful thinking.
Anyway, for your PC, if you don't already have one, make a little blanket for your computer keyboard - it's saves time, than having to vacuum it as often.

[pianistimo]

what a great idea.  i think i will.