Sheri-I know you have posted about wanting to get more organized and decluttered and this is something I found in the Best Year posts for Lesson 4. I haven't done that lesson yet but was scanning the posts since the classroom is closing soon.
The Organized Home (posted by Denise [not our Denise ]) "...it's broken down by rooms: living room, foyer (including coat closet), kitchen, dining room, family room, bedroom, bathroom, office. " "...there is a section on basic organization techniques for each room."
"I also liked Julie Morgenstern's book [...] Organizing From the Inside Out. I'd start with those if you've got major decluttering to do. The Organized Home is better when you're fine tuning after most of the decluttering is done."
Originally posted by SheriaVa: Sometimes, I end up in a room and I don't know why I'm there...
You made me think of a story about a man who was talking to a preacher. The preacher asked the man "Do you ever think about the hereafter?" and the man answered "Oh, yes preacher, I am constantly thinking 'now what am I here after?'"
[quote] I often have to go back to where I was, look around, and then backtrack in my brain to where I was standing and what I was doing just before I found myself in the other room. Then the previous thought will resurface and I go BACK to the other room and do what I was supposed to be there for in the first place. heh [quote]
Originally posted by GoingSkiing: I also get side tracked a lot...Sometimes I literally have to walk through the house and say to myself, “You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer.” or I’ll get sidetracked and start making a list for the grocery store and literally not even think about the dryer for 2 days.
Denise, we really DO share a brain! LOL Sometimes, I end up in a room and I don't know why I'm there...I came in there for a reason but, on the way, I got sidetracked by something (another thought or task) so that, by the time I get where I'm going, I don't know why I'm there and what I'm supposed to do. I often have to go back to where I was, look around, and then backtrack in my brain to where I was standing and what I was doing just before I found myself in the other room. Then the previous thought will resurface and I go BACK to the other room and do what I was supposed to be there for in the first place. heh
The "You are walking to the dryer." thing made me laugh...I don't do that but, believe me, I SHOULD. The sad part is that I live in a 1-BR apartment (combined LR/DR, tiny kitchen, tiny bathroom and 1 BR) and I STILL get sidetracked constantly and wonder what I am supposed to be doing.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by SheriaVa: our Denise has recommended Julie Morgenstern's book here several times over the years.
That would be me.
Actually, there is ONE concept that really stuck with me and that is everything needs a "home". A lot of clutter is just stuff we move from place to place because we really don't know where it belongs. It was an “a-ha!!!” moment.
She has the acronym.
SPACE
Sort Purge Assign a home Containerize Equalize (or maintain it)
I also got a LOT out of her views on Containerize-ing. She said most people decide that they are going to get organized and go out and buy a bunch of containers or shelves or what ever. She said to sort and purge and assign a home first. That way you know what size of container to buy. She says get a tape measure and measure the stuff to go in the container. Measure the space where you are going to put the container. OMG! What a concept!
That problem I most have is the Equalizing. I need to do like Bee and Sandy and just spend two mins. fixing the room before leaving. I also get side tracked a lot. Mary Jo was talking about mindless eating. I don’t eat mindlessly, but I move things mindlessly. Sometimes I find things in places that they don’t belong and have NO IDEA how they got there. I have NO recollection of putting something down there, but I know it was me and not Nelson or Jamie. Sometimes I literally have to walk through the house and say to myself, “You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer.” or I’ll get sidetracked and start making a list for the grocery store and literally not even think about the dryer for 2 days. Nelson thinks I have ADD... Too bad I don't have the Hyper-ADD... I'd burn more calories.
Denise
Posts: 9221 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Originally posted by SheriaVa: our Denise has recommended Julie Morgenstern's book here several times over the years.
That would be me.
Actually, there is ONE concept that really stuck with me and that is everything needs a "home". A lot of clutter is just stuff we move from place to place because we really don't know where it belongs. I was an “a-ha!!!” moment.
She has the acronym.
SPACE
Sort Purge Assign a home Containerize Equalize (or maintain it)
I also got a LOT out of her views on Containerize-ing. She said most people decide that they are going to get organized and go out and buy a bunch of containers or shelves or what ever. She said to sort and purge and assign a home first. That way you know what size of container to buy. She says get a tape measure and measure the stuff to go in the container. Measure the space where you are going to put the container. OMG! What a concept!
That problem I most have is the Equalizing. I need to do like Bee and Sandy and just spend two mins. Fixing the room before leaving. I also get side tracked a lot. Mary Jo was talking about mindless eating. I don’t eat mindlessly, but I move things mindlessly. Sometimes I find things in places that they don’t belong and have NO IDEA how they got there. I have NO recollection of putting something down there, but I know it was me and not Nelson or Jamie. Sometimes I literally have to walk through the house and say to myself, “You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer.” or I’ll get sidetracked and start making a list for the grocery store and literally not even think about the dryer for 2 days. Nelson thinks I have ADD... Too bad I don't have the Hyper-ADD... I'd burn more calories.
Denise
Posts: 9221 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
I have heard repeated recommendations for the Morgenstern book from those that have read it. She used to offer a BNU class too...unless you are totally turned off by this most recent experience.
Thanks, Judy. Actually, if I'm remembering correctly (which is anyone's guess at this age!), our Denise has recommended Julie Morgenstern's book here several times over the years. GDTA? (Great Denises Think Alike!) hehe
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
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I need to do like Bee and Sandy and just spend two mins. fixing the room before leaving. I also get side tracked a lot. Mary Jo was talking about mindless eating. I don’t eat mindlessly, but I move things mindlessly. Sometimes I find things in places that they don’t belong and have NO IDEA how they got there. I have NO recollection of putting something down there, but I know it was me and not Nelson or Jamie. Sometimes I literally have to walk through the house and say to myself, “You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer. You are walking to the dryer.” or I’ll get sidetracked and start making a list for the grocery store and literally not even think about the dryer for 2 days. Nelson thinks I have ADD... Too bad I don't have the Hyper-ADD... I'd burn more calories.