Life has been a little hectic lately.
I feel beyond blessed that this little blogging project of mine has taken off, and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better job. I LOVE waking up in the morning to a day full of writing & finding hot coupons & helping others save. I look forward to reading your comments and emails, and there is almost nothing about doing this work that I don’t enjoy.
But I have been BUSY! I’ve had to let a lot of things around the house slide. Husband definitely pitches in and does a lot to help out, but because he is super busy with work and family obligations, it seems like we can never quite get it all done. There are only so many hours in the day, ya know?
I can’t stand clutter, so I have very bad habit of shoving things in a closet, drawer, or cabinet just to get it out of the way. Out of sight, out of mind, right? The problem with this habit is that done repeatedly, over the course of several months, eventually every hidden space in the house becomes an out-of-control nightmare.
That is the point I find myself now. And it is making me CRAZY!
Something must be done.
This past weekend I decided to start with our Master Bedroom, which also serves as my home office and craft/sewing area. It was a disaster. I’m almost too embarrassed to show you the “before” picture of my closet, but I will anyway. I just hope it doesn’t ruin your good opinion of me! 
It took me about 7 hours–an eternity, it seemed–to do my closet, 2 dressers, and desk. I filled up a large garbage bag and 5 paper grocery bags full of items for Goodwill. I also found LOTS of items that belonged in other areas of the house or in storage. It was tedious, but MAN, did it feel good to get it done! I felt like I reorganized my pysche, not just my closet.
Kathy Waddill’s The Organizing Sourcebook : Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Life
They are:
- Make your systems fit you and your life.
- Sort everything by how you use it.
- Weed constantly.
- Use the right containers and tools.
- Label everything.
- Keep it simple.
- Decide to decide.
- Get help when you need it.
- Evaluate honestly and often.
Hopefully now that I have a proper place for everything (at least in my bedroom), I will actually be able to keep it that way!
So now tell me, I the only one that struggles to stay organized when life gets chaotic? What’s your biggest problem area? Do you have any great tips for getting or staying organized you could share?
P.S. Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on yesterday’s post. You guys are the best!
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Kelsey September 21, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I have issues with organizing, funny thing is, I LOVE to organize! But with 2 little boys (2 & 4) it tends to get hard to find the time (& patience, when they want to “help”). The public areas in the house tend to stay organized – like the playroom/living room/bathroom/kitchen… but our master bedroom is where EVERYTHING ends up! I hate it, because I know that’s the area that should be very peaceful & relaxing. This is the biggest house we’ve lived in, and surprisingly, its harder to keep neat & tidy like when we were living in our little 1,000 sf house – you would think with more space it would be easier…but the clutter spreads out and hides in closets!
Ruth September 21, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Oh Kelsey, I hear you. My girls are little mess-making machines and also want to ‘help’ all the time. I agree that the more space you have, the harder it is to keep clean!
Tanya September 21, 2011 at 3:10 pm
This is a little thing, but I love it. I bought a pair of scarf hangers (hangers with holes in them you put your scarves through). One is in my closet for dressy scarves, and the other is in my coat closet for winter scarves. This one small thing has made a world of difference; I actually wear my scarves now because I know where they are and I can see them at a glance. I also bought a jewelry hanger with lots of little clear pockets so I can see earrings, etc. at a glance). I know where my jewelry is and I can grab it in a hurry when I’m getting dressed in the morning. These two organizing tools make life a lot easier!
Ruth September 21, 2011 at 8:37 pm
What an awesome idea!
Kim September 21, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Ruth everyone has to have a junk drawer right ?
Just kidding, I have one , in each of my rooms, I cant stand clutter either, but I have a hard time keeping up with it, I have two boys 9 & 6 that I homeschool and a 16 month old, and it is so hard to get things done, but after reading your post, I know what I will be doing this weekend 
Getting rid of All my clutter !
Ruth September 21, 2011 at 8:38 pm
A junk drawer, a junk closet, a junk armoire, a junk cabinet….
Kim September 21, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Yes ! thats what Im talking about
HAHA !
Claire September 22, 2011 at 12:34 am
LOL That’s exactly what I was thinking!
Barb September 21, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Recently organized my closet with the Real Simple slim hangers….LOVE them and my organized closet!
Debbie September 21, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Ruth I have to say between yesterday’s blog and today’s, you make me realize it’s not only me! Your blog has truly opened my eyes and here I was always thinking it was only me who struggled in life, had rought patches, etc. This year has definitely not been a picnic for me losing my dad and dealing with financial stress alone. But I’ve gotten through. And t hankfully I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone in this endeavor and others may have experienced similiar or worse things that make me feel human.
So I have a problem with piling/organizing. I always have such big dreams of a clean fancy house, where everything has it’s place. Yeah well that doesn’t usually happen especially with 3 boys, 3 cats and 2 dogs plus a husband! But I did finally organize and clean my bedroom up last weekend, took me about 4 hours but I felt better as hubby had cleaned off my dresser and put it all in a box for me to go thru. after my dog tore the box apart, I finally decided it was time to go thru it. I felt so much better! Now my husband said if I can stop my “piling” which he absolutely despises!
Keep up your awesome work, you have no idea how much we all appreciate your hardwork!
Jeniece September 21, 2011 at 8:32 pm
OMG Ruth it came out amazing. i am in the boat as you and i NEED to get my closet sorted out but I have so much going on that it drives my bonkers sometimes but you have really inspired me Thank You!
Rachel September 21, 2011 at 9:34 pm
I actually cleaned my closet yesterday and resorted my clothes from summer to fall/winter. I gave one box away to the Savers in my area. Your closet is really nice – I like the walk-in style, wishin I had that! Good for you for organizing! I find cleaning to be very therapeutic and helps de-clutter the mind. When my closet is cleaner, I also find I dress better and feel better inside!
Claire September 22, 2011 at 12:46 am
Oh dear… my current master closet “before” picture would make you feel so very together.
Love the way you have your purses hanging – mine are taking up one of the top shelves… good idea!
Ruth September 23, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Thanks. I really like it that way too. And the $5 hanging shoe rack made a huge difference! Amazing how small changes can do big things.
Erin September 22, 2011 at 3:12 am
My problem area is my bedroom. I keep everything else pretty neat and tidy (with the exception of 2 junk drawers in the kitchen). My bedroom is a catch all. If I’m not sure where something goes, I put it in my bedroom. I try to organize it but it never stays that way. Drives me crazy as the bedroom is supposed to be serene and tranquil. Maybe one day I’ll get it mastered.
Ruth September 23, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I have started cleaning my Master bedroom before anything else. Since it is also my office and since I work at home all day, I find I feel a lot calmer if at least that space is neat and tidy. The rest of the house will look like a war zone but at least my bedroom is peaceful!
The worst room now is the kids’ room. I don’t want to get in the habit of cleaning it FOR them, but making them do it a battle I rarely have the patience for. Like you said, maybe someday! 
Kelly September 22, 2011 at 4:51 am
Okay, I know what I’m doing this weekend! We moved into our house a little more than a year ago and I still have yet to finish organizing everything to my satisfaction hehe. I think our MaBr closet is probably the worst area of the house. I’ve managed to keep our junk drawer in the kitchen fairly empty thank goodness
Thanks for the inspiration!
Ruth September 23, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Have fun & you’re welcome!
Brandy September 22, 2011 at 5:39 pm
There is ALWAYS clutter floating around our house. My boyfriend is a painter and there is always canvas, paint brushes, paint, etc. all over the place. Then there is my knitting that somehow always seems to end up stashed in every room. About 30 dog toys always sprawled out all over the living room floor no matter how often I pick them up. Then there is our modeling hobby. Tiny plane parts, glue, and paint. Sewing machine and fabric. Roller derby stuff all over the place. I think we just have too many hobbies unfortunately we love them all and I could never give up any of them. My other issue is. Since my boyfriend works as a freelance artist he is always home…I HATE cleaning when others are around. I wish I could just have about 8 hours to clean with no one home.
Ruth September 23, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I know exactly what you mean about only wanting to clean when you are alone! I am the same way!
shannon September 22, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Hey Ruth, I’m so glad you’re feeling better today. I know you work so hard, and juggling it all is really a struggle sometimes. Your closet looks great! When I was working a lot with my business, I hired someone to do that for me and the change was incredible. It was the best $50 I ever spent. Boy, do I miss those days of hiring out for all my home projects!!!!
Ruth September 23, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Shan!
Jennifer October 18, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I just LOVE the purses on the hangers. I LOVE many bags and change them weekly. This is an awesome idea. Great work with just getting it done.
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