Is organizing a four letter word?

Oh honey ... Can you put the boxes back up in the attic for me?

I know, weird, but it is really bugging me that 2 of the lids are not white.

Christmas is finally packed up and out of sight. It took me longer this year to put everything away for some reason. Well, that "some reason" is: 1. Life. Work. Not enough hours in a day. and 2. Wanting to do it right and not just stuff it all back in the boxes haphazardly. 

I wrote a couple of posts last year on how I organize my Christmas stuff; you can read about it here and here. I like to use clear boxes. Even though I label the boxes on the outside it is still nice to see inside. This year I tried to put things back with a little more consideration for unpacking it all next year. I wrapped everything up more carefully (used tissue and bubble wrap for those ornaments that didn't have their own special divided boxes), put 'like' things together, and labeled better. I neatly wrapped the lights around cardboard and threw out the lights that did not have 100% working bulbs. I had a lot of plastic boxes left over from the wedding (see below) and so I used them. They are all the same which is great because they stack nicely and it will be really easy to identify them when it is time to take them down next Christmas.

Wedding stuff packed and ready to transport to the barn!

I have been hearing a lot about organizing this year from friends, and clients and bloggers. To some people it is like a four letter word. To others, a goal that feels unattainable or overwhelming. And to others, like myself a necessity. I could never function if I could not find things quickly and easily. I have too many things to get done everyday to spend time searching for something or moving something to get to what is underneath. Do you feel the same way? 

This cartoon is by Dave Walker

I spend a lot of time helping my clients make 'homes' for all of their belongings. But what I notice is that even with everything having a place to land, things still pile up and clutter happens. And it happens quickly. And what that tells me is that the problem is not always that there are not enough places for everything but rather the lack of time (or discipline) to put things where they go. Are you frustrated with the amount of stuff that is in your way from achieving what you want? Start now!

Set your 'timer' for 15 minutes. 

Pick one from the list below or make up your own:

1. Go around your house and fill up a grocery sack with things that are not where they should be. Now go put them where they belong. 

2. Shred some of the papers in that pile you have of papers to be shredded. You can shred a lot in 15 minutes!

3. Hang up the clothes that are laying around your room. Put your shoes away. 

4. Clean out the junk drawer (quickly, remember, only 15 minutes).

5. Make a to do list of what you can do the next time you have 15 minutes.

Repeat once a day! 

Now, don't you feel better already?

Hey ... did you notice that today is 1.11.11?