Organization, where are you??

Thursday, March 18, 2010
I used to be best friends with Organization. We were like this {picture me linking my forefinger and middle finger}. We were as thick as thieves. And then...I had children.

Why is it that once we become mothers, our organizing abilites are stripped from us? I was the picture of organization and structure. Some might say I still am. But I've definitely seen a decline in my ability to keep it all together since my firstborn came along 8 years ago. Four years after that, when my second was born, my pal Organization was M.I.A.

I've forgotten to mark important dates and appointments on the calendar. Months ago I missed an appointment with my dermatologist. Embarrassingly, I had to call to reschedule. Humiliating.

I used to have the most meticulous to do list. Color coded and categorized, my lists were the envy of all of my girlfriends. Now, I've got several lists strewn about with sticky notes attached or falling off or, worse yet, lying on the floor under a pile of toys.

I've vowed to get my act together and get back to the place I used to be pre-children. I have a few things in my favor:

1) The warm weather tends to bring on nesting instincts for me. I don't know what it is, but spring breezes make me want to de-clutter and re-organize. Spring is good, people!

2) Thanks to my mate, Coryanne over at Housewife Bliss (Go check her out. You'll love her and her nifty tips.), I have discovered ListPlanIt, a site completely devoted to all things organization. With a multitude of eplanners and lists, ListPlanIt specializes in everything you need to get you, your family and your home organized. For just $20 per year, you have full access to print all the lists you could possibly imagine.

3) I'm motivated to make a few extra bucks this spring. I have some big ticket baby items that I'm looking to unload...a Pottery Barn Kids crib and changing table, a Peg Perego highchair and a baby swing. I'm seeing a few dollar signs in my future.

No more excuses for me! I want to spend my spring organizing my life so that I can spend my summer enjoying my life!!

What are your tips for organizing and de-cluttering? How do you manage to stay on top of it?

3 comments

Coryanne Ettiene | Kitchen Living with Coryanne said...

you are so darling to mention me! Love you to bits for this... my special gift to you is a guide on how to make your calendar work hard so you don't have to miss any more appointments and have the summer you want, have a look at this
http://housewifebliss.blogspot.com/2010/01/making-your-diary-work-for-you.html

second, am I loosing my mind or have you changed your blog layout? It looks great, and your thetamom button looks right at home here ;-)

Let me know if you need a cheerleader to root you on your new path...I know I could use one with the amount of rubbish, I mean quality items, I need to sell before we move.

Life Without Pink said...

I too need to get organized! I use to be so OCD with everything {cleaning, organizing, etc.}, use to drive my hubby nuts. But now after 2 kids I dont have the energy to keep up and I need to get back to it like you. Plus this nice weather is showing me how much spring cleaning I have to do in my new house!

Anita Hamilton said...

My organization went right out the window along with my sanity once i had the baby. It was hard enough to deal with one messy baby before i.e. my husband and now i have two. lol. Putting the clothes in the laundry basket instead of on the floor right next to the basket is somehow still lost on my husband amongst other things. lol

Hey sheila, Get a blog button so i can put your button up on my blog. hehehe.

Oh yea before i go i have another blog i just started and will be posting regularly to as well at anitahamiltonblog.com Its a journey an adventure to unlocking self potentials, breaking down negative barriers and creating financial success as bloggers, as moms. More to come soon. Hope your day is totally rockin.

Much love
~Anita