Ok, so those who know me, know I find peace in an organized life. I sometimes don’t know if this is a blessing or a curse, but either way it is who I am.
Every night before going to bed, our family does a quick pick up. We even started our kids doing this from the time they could walk. They could make whatever mess they wanted to during the day, but every night we picked it all up before going to bed. They are now 19 and 16 and we all still do this. Everything finds its way back to its place…(by the way, I do with at work as well, everyday before leaving)
My purse… hmmm, this thing could be the depths of hell, right? Well, several years back I found myself being the person that easily became bored with my purse. I even got into the habit of changing it out to match what I was wearing. This was time consuming, so now, I have “bags” for everything. I have a makeup bag, my wallet, then one bag that contains all that miscellaneous “stuff” we all like to have just in case. Talk about simplifying! I can change out my purse in seconds, but more than that, I know where to find everything that is in my purse, so I am no longer digging forever looking for that one little thing. So 2 bags and a wallet! OH, and make that a wallet that your phone will easily fit into, with a wrist band. That way you can just pull it out quickly for that fast in and out of the store!
Closet- ok this is so hard!!!! I love to shop, and probably have more shoes than anyone could imagine. But sometimes it’s the simple things that help me stay organized there. First, divide your clothes based on season. Short sleeve versus long sleeve. Pants are all hung together, and yes those are color coordinated. Shoes: boots are all together, athletic shoes together, heels are all together, and to make more space for all the other goodness, flip flops, I keep paired together in a basket. The most used purses hang on the back of our closet door and the others are kept in boxes on the shelves above the clothes. I keep separate laundry baskets for dark and light clothes so come laundry day we don’t have to waste time separating. We also keep a “family” towel basket so all wet towels can go there instead of in with your everyday clothes. Each family member knows if you put that one towel in that fills it up, it is time to start a load of towels. Keep in mind, places like Wamart, Target, and The Container Store have inexpensive and great ideas for closet organization.
Paperwork- UGH!!!! One of the best things my husband and I did years ago, was get our finances to a place where we only have to pay bills once a month. It took several months or tight budgeting but it was brilliant and became a huge stress relief. We actually found that nothing was ever missed. We have as many things on bill pay and auto pay as possible as well. After opening the mail, everything that needs to be paid is put into one place, anything that should be kept and filed away is put in another place. Then in and around the same time every month, we sit down and pay all the bills and file everything away in its place. Through the years we have used file folders and 3 ring binders, and we each have a different opinion on which works best, but honestly either one will work just fine and that becomes a personal preference. I will say if you are short on space, try the 3 ring binder. It is a huge space saver and can be easily hidden away. Tax time used to be such a stressful adventure, but since finally putting a specific file in place for anything we would need for taxes, it is not so bad. It is all in one place by the end of the year. So much easier!
My last thing, I am sure most you will find as funny, I keep 2 ongoing bags to fill with donation items. I keep one in our closet that is for clothes. Go on, admit it! We all have those things we just don’t use. Does it matter why? Doesn’t fit, just doesn’t look right, or maybe you are just tired of it. Take it off that hanger and put it in that bag! Ladies get rid of it!!!! The other bag stays in the laundry room and is for those miscellaneous items for all over the house that you just don't need or use anymore. Or maybe you never did, but swore when you bought it, it was the best thing ever!!!! I am sure, like me, you never come across those. Once a month, take them to whichever place you want to donate them to or maybe a consignment shop. Earn some extra cash to go shopping another day or save up for that well deserved girls trip!
I know you ladies out there have some other helpful tips, so please share!!!!! I am always looking to try different things, and I am sure you have something for me!!!!! Let me hear from you. Until next time, happy organizing!