Is there a magic word out there that if you shout it out 3 times your house will be magically transformed and everything will be organized and you will live happily ever after?
No, I don’t think there is. Though if you google enough you will definitely find plenty of lists-some that even claim such a thing will happen. But let’s be real here – there is no secret list, magic word or spell or sorcery. In my eyes – it is just a lot of boring routine work and paying attention to your surroundings. You see something lying around where it shouldn’t be – you pick it up and put it away. That is my key…. I don’t know what the right word is here … my key understanding… my key process… I don’t know.. What I do know is if you do that on a regular basis it will help keep your house organized.
I think Organizing means something different to everyone, and one list is not going to make everybody happy. Yes – the basics of the word is the same-But I think there are different levels of it for different people. For some – just having all their spices in one spot in their kitchen is organized enough for them… then you have those (eehhhheeemmm, let me clear my throat) who need them in matching jars and labels…. Then a step above this… those that put them in alphabetical order… which level are you? (I don’t put my spices in alphabetical order – but in order of most used to least-it’s what makes the most sense to me for my kitchen use)
I think the BIGGEST tip of all is that everything should have a “home”.
And to further this statement, this “home” should be in a practical location.
For most items – and most people – this is common sense; however – the final location may not be the same for everyone.
That practical location is different for everyone, and finding a system that works best for you is the end game.
What is an object you have-that for your home and for you- that just makes sense to keep it where you have it – but for others it doesn’t make sense? For me – I would say it’s that my Ralphie boy (aka my chocolate lab) gets a portion of a cabinet that is strictly for him. We do not have an attached garage or a mud room for storing his supplies, so the small everyday items go into this cabinet. He has his leash in there, a refillable container of dog food, some treats and other odds and ends (I still have some of his puppy teeth!!). For me it makes sense as I feed him in the kitchen, he gets treats in the kitchen, when we go on walks we exit out of the kitchen. For me,this is the most practical place for his items.
Who all uses Pinterest? I think almost everyone. You can find ANYTHING on that site!! I have been on pinterest for years… pining recipes, outfits, makeup tips and cleaning/organizing tips and tricks. It’s a great place to get ideas and inspiration….though, I won’t lie – most things I have pinned just sit in their folder. Granted – Pinterest upped their game and added the feature of folders within folders – and this made my heart happy (I am sure every person who loves to organize was jumping for joy when this option became available!!)!! I could organize all my recipes by meal type – I was in heaven, but after that they still just sat there… lol… anyone else?? Bueller?? Bueller?? (I know I am not the only person who pins and leaves them hanging….am I??) (Image found: http://sacraparental.com/2013/10/13/the-sacrament-of-housework-4-my-11-best-stolen-home-organisation-tips/)
Pinterest can be a bit intimidating no matter what your hobby or profession. You login.. enter your search word… and voila…. you have a world of ideas at your fingertips and you can scroll for hours (That’s not just me too is it?) looking at all the picture perfect cakes, closets and wardrobes – and you think I could do that!!
So what do you do? You grab your crafting supplies, your baking supplies or your make up and you go to town… and you end up with … A not so picture perfect product. You have to remember – these Pinterest Perfect Posts are done (mostly) by professionals or at least by someone who has been making the same thing over to the point of perfecting it, and often have the help of some great lighting and props…
(image found at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/epic-pinterest-food-fails-2013?sub=2849392_2193016 )
Like I said… Intimidating… But it doesn’t have to be. Those picture perfect cakes and closets – they are not everyone’s reality and that is ok!! Like I said – for me – it is all about INSPIRATION!! When it comes to Pinterest and Organizing – Yes, it can sometimes give us feelings of self doubt…feelings of being overwhelmed… or that we are just not capable of doing something… Well – I think you have to be positive and not focus on the negative… The site can really inspire. Look at it for its creativity and the ideas you can get from it. That is what your focus should be.
I think there are different levels of Organizing for different people. Each and everyone of us are different just like each and every one of our Organizing projects are going to be different. Some people – they have Pinterest expectations, but for most of us – we just want things to work for us. I could be wrong – but I have a feeling those Pinterest Perfect closets and cabinets do not stay perfect for long… maybe I am wrong…. but those people probably don’t have a spouse… or kids…. or company over…ever (I am teasing here – but not really).
So you tell me – What does “Organized” mean to you?? Is it everything matching – labels, soup cans facing the same way – do images of the organized kitchen cabinets from Sleeping with the Enemy pop in your head?!?!?! Or is it the ease of knowing where everything is? That everything has its “home”? You tell me!!
Do you always know where everything is located in your house? On your desk? In your car? When someone asks you where the scissors are- do you rattle off “in the drawer to the left of the stove, on the front left side” ??? Do you have a really good memory that you can remember which drawer (and the exact spot) the scissors are located off the top of your head or does that come from a routine of just going into the same drawer over and over?
I think it can be both. I do think that some people just have the knack for it. I like to think that I have that gift, And yes – That was me calling out where the scissors were located. Have I always been an organized person? The answer for that would have to be not always lol. As a child – wow.. I had a VERY messy room. I remember my mom once hiring someone to come clean my room and throw everything out (I got moved to the “little bedroom” because I couldn’t keep my room clean).
I think everyone has times when they are not organized. It’s only natural. There are times when I feel my house is in shambles and I have mail piled up and dishes piled up because…. well because life just got in the way. Let’s face it – nobody is perfect. And that is ok. What do you do? You get in there and clean up what needs to be cleaned, put back items to their rightful place, and throw out the things you don’t need. That is a benefit of being organized – clean ups can be quick (But that will be another post for another day!).
But I also think that organizing is something that you can learn. I think even those who are inherently in order continue to learn how to organize for themselves. And organizing takes practice and patience. I am always semi aware of the placement of things and am always on the lookout for a better solution.
Where do you fit in with all this? Were you born with “it” but are always trying to learn new ways to stay productive and organized? Or are you reading this hoping for some tips and tricks that you can learn to become organized?
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