Organization: when I was little I was convinced that was a dirty word. Every time I got in trouble I heard my mom say, “Cherry, go organize your room!” Might as well have sentenced me to prison or solitary confinement as tell me to go and organize my room.
Then I read recently that people are not born natural organizers. OH THANK GOD!! Seriously? I feel so much better now!! I thought I was missing a gene, some link to normal functionality along the way because I could sit in my room for hours and hours and nothing would get organized. I would start to put one thing away and something else would distract me and pretty soon I forgot what I was doing and was just playing with the things that caught my attention, or drawing (because I found a pencil and paper), or writing because I found a tablet with notebook paper. It was a futile effort, but my mom seemed to never get tired of demanding it of me.
Here’s a clue for all those shaking their head currently, creativity and organization DO NOT always go hand in hand. In fact I doubt they are in the same building for many years until someone introduces the two. Now that being said, isn’t it magnificent that God in His infinite wisdom decided there HAD to be some people blessed with organization skills on this earth to keep track of and help out the rest of us?
I am so very thankful for the books that teach such skills, the people that step in and say, “um, you know you could get a lot more done if you’d do it this way” or “you’d have more time to devote to those things you love if you would get more organized.”
Good point! So then it comes down to how to start clearing the clutter and getting organized:
1. Start with setting a goal to simplify your life. By simplifying your life you will have more time to enjoy your family, friends, hobbies and activities you enjoy.
2. If you have a family, then get the whole family involved and add some incentives along the way for all of you.
For example: a. Decide to sort and organize a closet or bookshelf and make a game of it with another family member or roommate. One can hold up an item and say “Stay or Go?”
b. Have some boxes handy for “Donate, Toss or Sell, and Keep.” Working on it together will make it more fun and quick.
c. Once the sorting is done, don’t put it aside, go ahead and toss, donate or sell the items. Then enjoy your incentive – go to a movie, an event, or do something fun to keep the motivation going.
3. Keep things that are useful, serve a purpose, add beauty, or help simplify your life in some way.
4. Figure out what makes you feel good about getting rid of things that no long fit one of those categories.
If you can’t stand the idea of adding to the landfills, then find a charity to donate your items that are no longer needed, or wanted.
Here are a few suggestions:
http://www.soulsharbordallas.org/ – Souls Harbor works with men and families who have been home homeless, or are fighting and recovering from addictions.
www.redcross.org/ – The Red Cross is a well-known organization that helps families in crisis and will take everything from food items, toys, to clothing, blankets, and household items.
www.salvationarmyusa.org – – The Salvation Army – also widely known for helping families in need, they operate thrift stores and offer various programs throughout the year.
www.genesisshelter.org/ – Genesis is a women’s shelter for battered women and their families in Dallas, Texas. They accept donations and have a thrift store that will take donations of gently used items including housewares, clothing, furniture, toys, and accessories.
If you don’t live in Texas just check for Women’s shelters in your area. These are just a few general donation sites, but truly there are tons of places to donate for just about any kind of charity you can think of if you just do a little research.
Here are a few related articles:
http://www.workingmother.com/blogs/girliemom/it%E2%80%99s-time-year%E2%80%A6-organize-and-donate
http://www.charitynavigator.org/
Have fun simplifying your life and creating more time to do the things that matter.
Cherry Coley (c)
SpilledCookies 