Whats the best way to get organized?
Answers:
I feel your pain! The best way to start, I found out, is the willingness to let some items go! Be willing to throw things out. If you read all the experts they all say the same thing. If you haven't used something in six months, or can't even remember when the last time you did use it, throw it out. Don't get rid of the boxes or baskets, they are helpful, but the hardest thing to do is keep the organization going. You don't have to be a neat freak, or an obsessive compulsive to be organized, I'm not, but you have to train yourself to put things back where they belong.
And I don't think tackling the job all in one day is the way to go. There is only so much organizing you can do in one day. You'll grow tired or bored with it and stop and might not start again. Try to accomplish one area, one drawer, if you feel like doing more go for it, otherwise walk away. It'll be there tomorrow.
Other answers:
Learn to throw out/give away all of the cluter. You know, things that you have not used in the last 6mths!
Learn to throw out/give away all of the cluter. You know, things that you have not used in the last 6mths!
get organized.com You can also watch Mission Organization on HGTV
Go through everything and decide what is of most importance and what you can deal with letting go to goodwill/value village...and by selling some of it to get yourself some money.
www.onlineorganizing.com is a fabulous website for almost anything. Make a plan, take your time, do small amounts at a time and try not to get discouraged.
Yahoo groups has a group called the Organizer Lady and she sends out some helpful tips in a newsletter. Check it out.... You might find it helpful. I have to agree with some of the other responses... Purging unwanted stuff is the first step to take. Get rid of anything and everything that has been sitting there taking up space and collecting dust for over a year. I had to do this recently and it felt good. Assigning a place to your items is the next step. And that is where I'm at..... I'm stuck on finding a dresser or making some shelves to hold some plastic tubs. I bought a file cabinet to hold old papers and other important stuff. That gave me free spaces somewhere else.
I have found that it is easier to stay organized if you make getting rid of clutter a part of your everyday routine. When you get your mail, immediately go through and sort it throwing out the junk mail and putting bills and mail to act on in a special file. Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning out a drawer, file, or area of your home. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish in 15 minutes, yet 15 minutes is not overwhelming. I have found the following website to be helpful: www.flylady.net. It provides a lot of support and helpful suggestions on establishing daily routines and staying organized. Best of luck!