15 "Life-Saving" Organization Tips

(Picture by Vivian who IS very organized!)

When I was in collage, several of my friends kindly and sweetly told me that my biggest weakness was that I was unorganized. Oh was that EVER true! I was in a mess ALL. THE. TIME.
Everything I had was messy... my room, my backpack, my car, and the list goes on.

I didn't have an affection for "stuff," (at least I didn't think so)... I just preferred to do anything before cleaning and organization. After I got married and had my first baby, I realized that I had BETTER learn to be somewhat organized... So, I studied and read A LOT about it! These are the things I've learned along the way. 

{ If no one reads this ever, at least I'll have a record for my posterity.  If any of them get that inherently unorganized gene from me, this might come in handy.}



1. IT TAKES TIME
One day I was complaining to a friend about how my past made me a victim or disorganization, and she said that she grew up in a messy house too, but now she gives herself 2 hours a day to clean and organize. That was a life changing moment for me... it can't be something just to do in spare time, it's gotta be a priority.

2. ROUTINE IS A MUST
Whether the routine's simple or detailed, it must exist.

3. INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY (only infants are excluded... NOT toddlers).
Cleaning and organization are ways that parents can teach children skills of work and accountability.  Working together is spending TIME together, and sometimes even having FUN together. (Watch for a post about age appropriate chores). **My two year old twins put the "kids' dishes" away, and they think it's great fun, sad how that changes :(!!

4. HOLD CHILDREN RESPONSIBLE
Some parents pay children for chores, other make them do some work before they are allowed to play. No matter what, children must learn to work or else they'll pay consequences later. Spoiling them and excusing them DO NOT do them any favors!

5. HAVE A CLEANING FRENZY!!!
Every night after dinner, we have a "cleaning frenzy." This is where we all work together to tidy up the whole house so that it will be clean when we wake up in the morning. (Even though I used to be a "messy all the time girl," now waking up to a mess guarantees a BAD MOOD!)

6. DO THE DISHES AFTER EVERY MEAL.
Don't leave the room til the dishwasher is loaded. After dinner, load them and start the dishwasher. Put them away BEFORE bed... this makes for a much easier morning.

7. CLEAN UP MESSES RIGHT THEN!! CLUTTER IS NOT CHIC!
It's always tempting to say we're going to put the hair dryer and make- up away in just a minute. Or to justify that we'll put the clothes in the hamper later. Those things don't get done!!!!!!! The present is a BETTER time that any!

8. ONLY LET KIDS KEEP AS MUCH AS THEY CAN HANDLE.
I don't have an equation for how much, but kids with too many toys or too many clothes are ABSOLUTELY NOT CAPABLE of keeping their rooms clean. If you are afraid to get rid of stuff, box it up and put it in the garage. Rotate, store, whatever. Just get it out of their rooms and other areas!!!!!!!!

9. IT'S OK TO GET RID OF THINGS!! It's necessary!
Even something you paid a lot for... sell it. Or something someone gave you... sure, keep what you love, but NOT what you don't. It's ok- they'll never remember!!
BE A BUILDER OF MEMORIES, NOT A COLLECTOR OF THINGS!

10. FOR THOSE REALLY MESSY AREAS...
set a timer for 15-30 minutes a day dedicated to that area. Then stop. Watch the area trasform.

11. "CAPSULATE" YOUR WARDROBE
Get rid of all those things you don't love. In France, most people have about 10 really great items in their wardrobe... not 100's of things they bought because it was a good deal. They also have much cleaner closets and actually LIKE what they have.

12. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH EACH LOAD OF LAUNDRY THAT DAY!
If you do one load a day, twice a week, once a month, whatever... just be commited to see it through from the hamper to the closet. This makes a huge difference!

13. WHEN GOING FROM ROOM TO ROOM...
 Pick up something that doesn't belong there and return it to it's place.

14. WHEN SOMETHING NEW COMES IN,  SOMETHING OLD HAS TO GO OUT.
Of course, everything must have a place or "home". If the "homes" within your home are too crowded, REMOVE!

15. DON'T LET PERFECTIONISM ROB YOUR PEACE...
Sometimes we don't do things because we want to wait until we can get it done perfectly. Let's face it, unless we're OCD, it's not going to be perfect- and that's OK!


I've still got a long way to go in the organization area of my life, but these things have made a world of difference. They've saved my life, or at least my sanity :).


What are your "Life Saving" organization tips? Please share!!

~Nancy

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