This is my closet and it has been this way for quite some time. I must admit that although I do make dents in getting it organized from time to time, but I have never really conquered getting and keeping it organized.
I read all the nice magazine articles about organization and try to adhere to all the tips. However, I often find myself just not having the time. Ever since I adopted my two year old (I’ve had him for 11 months now) I have not been able to get on top of it all. Who am I kidding??? My closet has been like that for years…well not that bad actually.
So I found an interesting article in O Magazine that I even posted in my closet. It came from the March 2014 issue and its titled “Finish the Cycle.” Basically the article talks about considering your washing machine. You would never fill it with dirty clothes, let it run for 20-30 minutes, then turn it off and let the clothes sit for a few days. So doing chores halfway at home, only makes it worse. For example if you have a dirty plate, don’t set it in the sink, put it in the dishwasher. BUT my dishwasher is always full with clean stuff, I haven’t put away. Okay so I digress. I get the point. The difficult thing is actually doing it…most of the time, if not all.
Other than being a single mom with a very active 13 year old. Working two part-time jobs and now having a 2 year old. Also volunteering and giving back to my community, helping others, having a life…wait I have no time for me. So I digress again… forgive me please.
I wanted to look into what really is the reason behind my excessive disorganization.
- My horoscope says that Aquarian women are basically disorganized people. I KNEW IT WAS JUST ME BEING ME. Okay now I know you are laughing out loud at me. I need a scapegoat and this sounds like a good one. Heck I was born on the same day as Oprah Winfrey (January 29th), but she probably has someone on every level staying organized for her. Not fair!
- Another article talks about that my quality of life is suffering and I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed much of the time. It says I’m more than likely feeling “stuck” in a pattern of being chronically disorganized. The fix from the experts point of view, is for a person like this to get some coaching to redesign my way of thinking and behaving. Cuckoo Cuckoo….Uhm…BUT if that means someone coming in and organizing my closet? I’m all for that. Any takers?
- Another tip from an organizational expert is to assign specific living quarters to everything I have. Is it that I need more space, or that I have too many things?
- And I believe that’s the core of my issue. I have too much stuff. I once read that half the things in your closet you probably have not worn in many years. That is so true! Why do I hang onto these things? Some of them are certainly out of style. My son called me a hoarder! It’s not that bad, but it definitely MUST be time for a change.
I am committed to making a big change this month. One thing I know would probably make me feel better is giving my clothes away to a worthy cause. Since many of the clothes are “work” clothes. I’m told “Dress for Success” a nonprofit organization that helps women gain employment, by helping them have the proper clothes for job interviews is a great one. http://www.dressforsuccess.org/. I plan to donate many of my clothes to them.
Finally, I know that being organized will help me feel better about my life and my home and I am willing to do the hard work that is necessary. I must find the time. If you have any tips for busy moms like me out there, please feel free to comment! Wish me luck…
By Eva B.
Don’t give up – you will feel so proud once you get rid of what you don’t need and get everything else organized. I used to keep things I didn’t need for years and once I started getting brutal about keeping only what I needed, it was so liberating. Now I can also live comfortably in a very small space which is cheaper and easier to clean.
Another tip. If you feel overwhelmed and just can’t get it done, try to find someone super organized who will do it for you, then you keep it up. If you can’t afford a service, barter one of your talents for theirs. If I lived near you, I would do it for you.