Do you get frustrated when you attempt to organize things in your house or office?
I think everyone does now and again. But some of us more than others. It's pretty easy to get frustrated with it when you are not sure how to continue. Organizing and cleaning are easy when things are already fairly organized and clean. But what if they're not? What if everything seems to be everywhere and there just doesn't seem to be any place to put any thing?
Frustrating, to say the least!
Here are two simple tips to begin to conquer your overwhelming situation:
1. Why did I let it get this bad! First and foremost, stop the negative self talk!!! This cannot be stressed enough! Bad-mouthing yourself, putting yourself down, directing anger and frustration toward your self is not going to solve a thing, and it certainly will not clean up the mess in front of you. It's useless, and even detrimental. Try replacing the thoughts with something like "this is frustrating, and I don't like it, but I'm finally taking steps to change it." Don't be discouraged when the thoughts return... because they will. The key here is intercepting the negative thought with a productive one.
2. Pick Away. Reality is that the mess and disorganized space did not get that way in one day. So it isn't reasonable to think that it will be clean and organized in one day. You need to begin picking away at it with a daily schedule. All you need is a sticky note-pad and a pen. If the space isn't very large it will not take all that long to get it the way you envision. However, if the space is something like an entire house, it's going to take some time. There's no fooling yourself here. This is going to take commitment. So buckle down and lets start!
Write on your sticky note ONE (1) small area, you would like to get organized that day. A small area would be something like one (1) bookshelf, or one (1) table top, or one (1) 5'x5' corner of a room. Why do you keep writing one followed by (1)? Ohhh, because I know you! I know that one bookshelf, or table top, or corner could turn into the whole room and the whole room is so much, it's too much, I can't do it, how did I let it get this way and AHHHHHH!!! Stop! I said one (1), not the whole thing! Write that one small area on your sticky note and the date then stick it on that piece of furniture, or on the wall in the corner of a room, or on one shelf in an overwhelming closet. This is the ONLY place you will organized that day. If it doesn't get finished, okay. The next day continue on that same area. But no organizing anything else until that one is finished. Why, you ask? A disorganized environment can leave you feeling scattered and has your brain feeling disorganized, too. If you jump from place to place when trying to get things straightened out, it only adds to scattered thoughts and usually leaves you with very little done.
Little by slow... the entire space will become the way you envision!
Living in the Lower Cape, Plymouth or Bristol County areas?
Send me, Sarah, an email for more info on my Clean House and Organization services.
Good luck, and keep organizing!
Finding it hard to have enough time for work, kids, appointments...life... along with keeping the house clean and organized?
