February is just around the corner and I am curious to find out how you are doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Are you still keeping them up? Did you even start?
I resolved to drink more water this year and I am sticking to it. It was just a matter of getting started and changing my daily habits. I found that drinking 2 glasses of water before each meal helps me get my daily amount and feel more full all day long.
If you resolved to get organized in 2011 and you haven’t started yet because you are too overwhelmed don’t stress! Below are some of my favorite tips to help you get started and stay organized this year. (You might recognize this list from my guest post over at Org Junkie).
- Start in the room that needs the least amount of work. This will allow you to use this room as a staging area for your donation pile, your trash pile and the “things to keep” pile. From there, move clockwise throughout your house to keep everything simple, and to keep you from bouncing from room to room.
- Set an appointment on your calendar to devote to organizing specific areas in your home and stick to it. Whether it is once or three times per week this will help get you into a routine.
- Don’t skip areas in a room, empty out every drawer and cabinet so you can feel thoroughly organized when you are finished.
- After you complete a room or closet reward yourself with something you enjoy like a pedicure, a glass of wine, or a new sweater. This will motivate you to keep going.
- If paperwork is your problem change your settings for your bills and financial documents to be delivered to you electronically, this will help cut down on the amount of mail that you receive and need to file each week.
- Chances are you don’t miss any of the items you have in your storage spaces, “out of sight out of mind.” Purge the items that are in storage that you no longer want or need and either bring what you want home or downsize your storage unit to save money.
- Don’t panic, if you are feeling overwhelmed don’t start shoving items in drawers and closets. Maybe you need to take a break or a day off so you can refocus.
- Once you are happy with your accomplishments and feel organized set a schedule to keep it up.
Here are some suggestions:
Monthly: Refrigerator, Paper Files, Pantry, Vehicle
Quarterly: Linen Closets, Clothing Closets, Bedrooms, Kitchens, Makeup, Cleaning Supplies
Bi-Annually: Garages, Basements, and Storage Spaces
- If there is a specific area you struggle with, try to devote 15-20 minutes weekly to avoid having it become unorganized.
2 comments :
I wondered if I put my goals on a nice display would I be more compelled to try harder? All my goals are not even looked at since I rewrote them. LOL
Great tips! I love the idea of tackling the easiest room first. Now I just have to figure out which one that is!