20 Minutes Per Day to Organization
June 20, 2009 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Home & Living
Living in a busy, multi-generational household hasn’t improved my organizational techniques, and sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the clutter of my life. I’ll start to organize, then feel the task is overwhelming. So I sit down to work midst the confusion. Sometimes, too, I have to move from room to room with my laptop or business projects.
I’d heard the suggestion, “Take 20 minutes each day to organize your clutter, your files, your work area, your bedroom…or whatever.”
Then I’d start with 20 minutes and keep at it for a few days. However, sometimes the organization, as I sorted midst boxes of writing files and folders or fabric and scrapbooking supplies seemed worse than before I tackled the project. I’d get discouraged and stuff everything into a box.
Then I realized, it’s something like the penny doubled…you don’t see results at first and must keep at it. I’ve made a new resolve to do at least my 20 minutes a day…and to tell myself I’m getting toward my goal, even when I don’t see visible results.
During the past week, I’ve made progress…not that anyone else might notice, but I’ve condensed, thrown out, and made more space. “We have more room in here,” my husband said of our bedroom, where I had boxes piled when he renovated another room some time ago and we moved everything from that.
How have you managed to keep at your organizational tasks? In your crafts, your business, your life?
I like to use the Flylady method (www.flylady.com). They have a similar approach which is to de-clutter for 15 minutes. After all, you can do most anything for 15 minutes. I have a long way to go, but it’s getting there.
Thanks, Leslie, for stopping by and giving your input. Someone else, when I mentioned my organizing plan on my Facebook wall, said the Flylady has the 15 minute approach. Whether you do 15 or 20 minutes, at least do something. And if something happens that you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. Just go on the next day. My progress sometimes seems slow, but I know I’m getting ahead…and finding stuff I can use today in my writing and my life…like the blouse I’d forgotten about but wore to church today. Everyone thought I had something new.