I have a hard time staying out of CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome). Cleaning is not my thing, but I suppose it's not most people's thing. When I really clean, I tend to organize as I go, which means that it takes me forever. My husband on the other hand, speed cleans. Although, I usually find a lot of stuff out of place and having to move later.
I try to make a mental note of things that do not have a home, and make one, or get storage containers for them.
The only thing I tend to do on schedule is laundry on wednesdays.
My main trouble areas tend to be clutter, mail, loose ends on the kitchen counters. I do have a basket for mail, my new goal is to clean it out weekly. Junk by the front door, no real space there for storage or sitting, so things tend to pile up on the small bench. And, my own bedroom which has a lack of storage. It tends to be laundry leftover central.
I guess I am looking for ideas to help me get it together better. Or a routine suggestion.
Thanks All!
Edit 11/13/2007: I checked out a bunch of books on organizing, etc from the library. The Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook (which is ridiculously large) has a section with routines of things to be done daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, etc. I surely haven't even begun to read it, but that was the first thing that jumped out at me.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I tried flylady a long time ago. It was kind of overwhelming. I went on there the other day and found some helpful ideas. I like the 10 minutes/area/day idea, and a few others. Haven't signed up for emails yet.
I have decided to get better on the mail. I use a small waste basket for recycles in the the kitchen and filled it twice, about two weeks ago, with junk inside of my mail. So, I am hoping to glean out the papers I need to keep and file them. I hate filing, so I got two accordian style file folders that I can keep handy. I'm using one for bills and short term stuff, and the second for long term stuff like insurance, car info, kid info. I might make a third for product instruction, warranties, etc... if they don't make it to the big file cabinet. I also got some magazine cardboard bins to organize my mags, and put two in my computer area for my hobby info and work info. Beats having papers laying flat/loose in my drawer.
I think one of the next things I want to work on is reworking my laundry room. I am going to try to get things in order by setting up baskets, so I can take the dirties down there vs. letting them sit in piles, or in baskets in my room. This will help me get them sorted at the same time. Maybe I can reclaim my bedroom.
And lastly, get rid of some extra bedding that is taking up valuable space in my tiny closet.
Also going to re-read my organizing book by Julie Morgenstern, and maybe a few from the library. I don't foresee being able to hire a cleaning service or organizer, though I would like to.
Afterthought: It's makes me wonder how my friends/family keep up their homes so nice and I can't seem to do it myself. It's frustrating. Sometimes I don't care, I realize that I am the way I am, and they do too. Maybe it's a creative mind thing.? I can be organized if I want, it just doesn't seem to stay. So I will work on my ability to keep on top of things vs. letting them go.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
I also recommend Flylady. I started it and was doing great til I cancelled receiving the emails when I got pregnant with #2. I slowly got back into chaos, this is giving me the motivation to go back to Flylady!!
I know how you feel I have the same issue at times....How I keep it is I have the kids help out....they have to clean up their own rooms as well as help out if I ask for it....but here is a chat that might be able to help you out as well as their forums.... http://www.a-mommys-world.com/chat.php
Hi M.,
G. here I also have a problem with clutter. All the flat surfaces in my house collect everything and I complain and complain but can't get anyone to help me with the cleaning. If you get any great sugestions with you pass them on to me. A little about me. I am 42 years old with three children one boyfriend who has one daughter and 2 dogs. So as you can tell I have my hands full. Have a great day! G.
Wow, I was going to suggest flylady.net too. It really does work. Of course there are times when I have given up on it, but I always come back because it works.
If you want to get less mail (i.e., clutter!), go to www.greendimes.com. You can sign up to stop receiving junk mail, like credit card offers and catalogs. You can also sign up your husband or friends, too. It also helps the environment! I love it, I don't get anymore of that stuff and it's less mail to go thru each day. I also would suggest that you go thru your mail everyday and immediatly throw the things you don't want into the recycle bin. Also, take out the bills, etc. that you need and put them in a letter holder/organizer-thingy. We do that and then put that next to the computer (where we pay all our bills). Just one less thing to look at.
I have a friend that organizes for a living. She took her
Obsessive, Compulsive Disorder and made a business out of it.
I might be worth having someone who knows what they are doing, get you set up and then your job would be to keep it organized after that. I have a friend that lives in a one bedroom house the size of my garage with a 2 year old and she works from home besides. Jeannie came in and got her set up.
She said it was the best money she ever spent, and no matter when I walk in her house,( other than toys laying around) the house is fully organized and clean. She also said, that by having it organized, it takes much less time cleaning.
You'll have to spend some $$ on "stuff", but it will be good money spent and it will be one less battle around your house.
I'd have to find the organizer's number......IF you are interested, I'd be happy to look for it.
I have the same issues here. I just decided last night to sign back up to flylady but have my spam blocker weed out some of her emails so that I don't get as much stuff from her. In the past, the emails were overwhelming AND annoying. I put in one for the word testimonial, for instance and stopped all of those emails. I am also going to get my whole family involved this time. It's a lot to do myself(at least for me)
M. H
When my children were the ages of yours I found Flylady.net. It was wonderful. There were a lot of emails but it helped me accomplish something each day. Made things more of a habit. Lots of baby steps along with the deep cleaning. The kids thought it was fun as well. Good luck.
T. E
I'm definitely checking out that site!
One thing that helped me was putting the recycle bin next to our mail basket, along with the shredder. Any junk advertisement (inserts, etc) were immediately put into the recycle bin. The credit card offers, or other mail that contained personal information went immediately into the shredder. So, the only thing left in the mail bin were things we needed (bills, invitations, letters, etc).
Can't help you on the other stuff. But the above definitely helped me keep the mail clutter down.
M.,
One thing that helps me get caught up is knowing that the cleaning lady will be annoyed if our stuff is in her way. She comes every other Wednesday so that motivation costs about $30 per week. The other thing that motivates us is inviting guests over who notice dirt and clutter. Then we HAVE to do it. LOL
Happy Cleaning,
N.
www.flylady.net - and an egg timer...
Search on the web for the flylady. Her tips really help.
I wish I had some great advice but the fact is I'm in the same boat. I don't like my house a mess but yet can't seem to keep it clean. Time is my biggest obstacle and then when I do have time I'm too tired to care. I hope you get some great advice:)
Try www.flylady.net
A Friend told me about it. Your personal on-line coach to help you gain control of clutter.
It's AWESOME!
There is a website http://flylady.net/ that is really great at helping you get organized. Another mamasource member recommended it to me and I love it. If you like email she emails you a gizillion times a day otherwise you can ask for a weekly email. I have ADD and I tend to jump from room to room without getting anything done ever!!! So I know your pain!
Check out flylady.net - she really help me set up some great routines!!!
I dont know what the solution is but when you figure it out let me know, I've had this problem since my son was born...(he turned 1 last week). We bought a house 5 months ago twice the size of our apartment, the problem followed. I cringe and get very tense when someone pulls into the driveway. (Feel like I've been caught)It doesn't help my mother-in-law from out of state visits about once every 4-6 weeks. Thats when all the progress goes right out the door, or should I say gets stuffed in any spare closet. My husband and I made ourselves a chore list and alternated the duties, that way when his chore for the day is done but not up to my standard, it'll be my chore tomm. and I'll be able to fix it my way before it gets out of control. The hardest part is actually following the chore list daily!!! A movie and playtime always sounds like more fun! Good Luck!
Try checking out flylady.net. It's a program to get your house back in order using babysteps, and lots of positive encouragement. Sometimes a little cheezy, but works!
try flylady.et it has a lot of great id4eas on how to get into the idea of doing a little each day. Good luck!
