Organization "hacks" that worked for you?

[Xantippe]

I took every book I had piled up on a tall bookcase and piled them up on the floor. Piles. All over. Went through, sorted out what No longer “brought me joy.”

When I was done, I was able to fit what I had on the shelves, including some decorative items.

Once you feel the joy of a success like that of your own, it will make you want to continue on.

Peter Walsh, who appeared on Oprah and the show “Clean Sweep” used to ask people if they were honoring their relative by piling up their things in the attic or not using them. Sometimes, he told people to take a picture of it, and let it go. If you insist on keeping something, honor it. Frame it, put it in a shadow box, use it, or else, it is just clutter.

Exactly.

Sometimes we have things packed up that have obvious uses if we just think about it.

For example, a few years back, I unpacked a box that contained a souvenir dishtowel from Austria that my sister had given me. I’d been toting it around from house to house in a box, but I finally bit the bullet and put it into my kitchen drawer and actually used it. It got worn to rags, but it got used.

Likewise, my aunt and uncle gave us a souvenir throw with landmarks from my hometown. Again, I toted it around from house to house in a box for years, but then I realized that I could actually use the sofa throw as a sofa throw–I did not need to preserve it for posterity in a box. (It’s holding up pretty well.)

 

[Xantippe]

I have owned a lot of organization books over the years.

Ironically, they mostly eventually fell victim to me following their authors’ advice and getting rid of them.

 

[CradleJourney]

Having a CAN - Carry Always Notebook. I like the ones from Blue Sky that have a graph paper grid on one side, lines on the other. As the name implies, carry it always (or at least as much as work and decorum allow). Jot down everything in it, in whatever order or form they occur - people’s phone #'s, reminder to pick up a library book, note to fix something, idea for a gift, name of a new quilt pattern you spot online, recipe you want to try, scores of Boggle game as you’re playing with the kids - EVERYTHING gets written down and put in the notebook, filling up pages as you go with no deliberate division or classification.

Sound crazy? Nope. Works great if you have a brain like mine. I cannot remember a name or a number at all. But I can tell you I wrote down the number for a new salon while visiting my moms which was about 2 days before the Boggle game and after the trip to the grocery store. Flip through a few pages and poof - there it is.

Now as time permits, one can start at the beginning of the notebook and transfer important info to other safe places like calendars, cell phones, index cards, bank books, etc.

But the key is writing things down immediately (or as close to it as possible) which
a) imprints them into your memory unlike taking a photo of the info or storing it electronically - there are published studies that back that up. It really helps me to remember at least that something exists if I write it down - and
b) until you can transfer the info to it’s “proper” place, it’s stored safely and tidily - no post-its, paper scraps, backs of envelopes, dozens of lists, etc.

One notebook. One spot all incoming “stuff” channels into.

And no deciding where to record something, finding the right paper, app, file, etc. - reduces decision time and stress.

 

[Irishmom2]

That does work, CradleJourney! My husband used to write little slips of paper , or had business cards, lists…

I told him carry a little notebook and write it all in there. He does that and it works well for him.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

For me, that insight was actually a huge breakthrough. I’m not sure if it’s an obvious insight, but it had definitely never occurred to me, and I used to go about it in the exact opposite way. I’d start cleaning and sorting one specific space, and then I’d be left with a mountain of disarray twenty times worse than when I started.

On the other hand, not everyone can book time away from work in order to carry out a giant purge, I know I can’t. People who have children too young to help would also need to find childcare. The consequences of “waiting until I have a week of time to purge and organize” for me, is that such a week never arrives and I get more and more disorganized.

Sadly, I admit I have hoarding tendencies, as does my mother, and so I never learned how NOT to hoard. So I probably won’t have much to contribute to this topic, even though it is a spinoff from my topic about frugality hacks.

The only strategy I can think of, is to just not buy that much stuff that you have to organize. I have started to back away from a “stockpiling” strategy that can work for many others, but for me, can easily deteriorate into disorganized “hoarding” that cancels out any savings.

There have been many cases when I bought something only to recall later I had bought the same item before - once I even bought a shirt “on clearance” from a website only to remember later that I’d already bought the exact same style and color before!

Or even more frustrating, sometimes, it happens that I know I bought something on sale a month ago, but can’t remember where I put it, and I wind up having to buy it again because I need it ASAP and it’s faster to go to the store than look for it at home.

 

[DarkLight]

I got rid of about 2/3 of my closet after reading one of her books I guess I may need to reread it and try to employ it again. Getting rid of my stuff is easier than getting rid of other people’s things! I am trying to balance not being wasteful, saving things so I don’t have to purchase later, with decluttering!

On the other hand, there’s a running joke in my circles about her method. She says to get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. So far I’ve gotten rid of all my bras, my scale, all my vegetables, the treadmill, and a pile of bills.

 

[faithsmind]

On the other hand, there’s a running joke in my circles about her method. She says to get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. So far I’ve gotten rid of all my bras, my scale, all my vegetables, the treadmill, and a pile of bills.

hysterical

 

[CradleJourney]

On the other hand, there’s a running joke in my circles about her method. She says to get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. So far I’ve gotten rid of all my bras, my scale, all my vegetables, the treadmill, and a pile of bills.

Exactly why different people have to use different systems My definition of “sparks joy” is apparently much different than some - I’d legit have to get rid of all my clothes and other life necessities…I like them or they function sufficiently, but they do not, nor do I insist that they “spark joy” - they simply have to perform their function so I can go find joy elsewhere without causing an incident or creating a problem.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Having a CAN - Carry Always Notebook. I like the ones from Blue Sky that have a graph paper grid on one side, lines on the other. As the name implies, carry it always (or at least as much as work and decorum allow). Jot down everything in it, in whatever order or form they occur - people’s phone #'s, reminder to pick up a library book, note to fix something, idea for a gift, name of a new quilt pattern you spot online, recipe you want to try, scores of Boggle game as you’re playing with the kids - EVERYTHING gets written down and put in the notebook, filling up pages as you go with no deliberate division or classification.

Sound crazy? Nope. Works great if you have a brain like mine. I cannot remember a name or a number at all. But I can tell you I wrote down the number for a new salon while visiting my moms which was about 2 days before the Boggle game and after the trip to the grocery store. Flip through a few pages and poof - there it is.

Now as time permits, one can start at the beginning of the notebook and transfer important info to other safe places like calendars, cell phones, index cards, bank books, etc.

But the key is writing things down immediately (or as close to it as possible) which
a) imprints them into your memory unlike taking a photo of the info or storing it electronically - there are published studies that back that up. It really helps me to remember at least that something exists if I write it down - and
b) until you can transfer the info to it’s “proper” place, it’s stored safely and tidily - no post-its, paper scraps, backs of envelopes, dozens of lists, etc.

One notebook. One spot all incoming “stuff” channels into.

And no deciding where to record something, finding the right paper, app, file, etc. - reduces decision time and stress.

I like this idea and can see it working for me. If I’ve read a book I can find a sentence based on how far through the book it was, right or left side, top, middle or bottom of the page. And after having a phone crash-and-burn and losing the calendar, notes and lists I wanted to go low-tech for certain things. I get that the calendar, etc. are in the cloud now, but I don’t really like that.

 

[DarkLight]

Exactly why different people have to use different systems My definition of “sparks joy” is apparently much different than some - I’d legit have to get rid of all my clothes and other life necessities…I like them or they function sufficiently, but they do not, nor do I insist that they “spark joy” - they simply have to perform their function so I can go find joy elsewhere without causing an incident or creating a problem.

It’s a good system for some things. I’m thinking I should do it for my jewelry. I really don’t need a pile of $7 necklaces - really all the jewelry I’d say I “need” is a good basic set for interviews, and maybe something a little sparklier for weddings and holidays.

But I suspect my biggest problem tends to be “just in case” hoarding. I’m forever keeping things around because I might need them someday.

 

[Xantippe]

On the other hand, there’s a running joke in my circles about her method. She says to get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. So far I’ve gotten rid of all my bras, my scale, all my vegetables, the treadmill, and a pile of bills.

Funny!

 

[Rico_S]

We recently started a “store” list and it is shared on the cloud with the whole family (4 older kids). Changes and additions appear in real time and it’s been super helpful. Who ever is at the store will look at the list and pick up whatever on it. I like it b/c most of us have our phones nearby so adding an item to the list is convenient and can happen immediately.

Also, it gets the kids involved a bit in the responsibility of keeping up on things. When they are out of shampoo or note cards or pretzels–something of which I will not generally be aware–they have the responsibility to add it to the list. No more complaining that “there is nothing good to eat” or shouts from the shower “you forgot to get me shampoo, dad!” It’s on them. They didn’t take to it immediately…most of them resisted for a while. But my next-to-youngest was complaining about not having a food she wanted and I kept telling her to add it to the list. One day while at the grocery store, someone typed in “mint choc chip ice cream” on the list as I was doing the shopping. I purchased it without any fuss or saying anything and it was a couple days before anyone noticed it was there. Next week, she typed in “brownies” and again, I bought those with out complaint. She starts raving to her sisters about the new “magic list”—“just type it in the list and dad has to buy it!”

I have found it helps cut down a lot on running out of basics and last minute store runs.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

I love the part where she your daughter added to the list while you were shopping. The communication was indirect but there is a flow to it. It’s no substitute from face to face interactions or more typical ways such as a phone call but it’s a interesting supplement.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

We recently started a “store” list and it is shared on the cloud with the whole family (4 older kids). Changes and additions appear in real time and it’s been super helpful. Who ever is at the store will look at the list and pick up whatever on it. I like it b/c most of us have our phones nearby so adding an item to the list is convenient and can happen immediately.

Also, it gets the kids involved a bit in the responsibility of keeping up on things. When they are out of shampoo or note cards or pretzels–something of which I will not generally be aware–they have the responsibility to add it to the list. No more complaining that “there is nothing good to eat” or shouts from the shower “you forgot to get me shampoo, dad!” It’s on them. They didn’t take to it immediately…most of them resisted for a while. But my next-to-youngest was complaining about not having a food she wanted and I kept telling her to add it to the list. One day while at the grocery store, someone typed in “mint choc chip ice cream” on the list as I was doing the shopping. I purchased it without any fuss or saying anything and it was a couple days before anyone noticed it was there. Next week, she typed in “brownies” and again, I bought those with out complaint. She starts raving to her sisters about the new “magic list”—“just type it in the list and dad has to buy it!”

I have found it helps cut down a lot on running out of basics and last minute store runs.

Haha, I want to join your list “White chocolate Reese’s”. I like that idea, though. I have an old fashioned paper on the fridge where people can add things. It isn’t instantaneous like your list, but I have had DH snap a pic of it and send it to me while I am at the store.

 

[Chayla]

I have sticky notes everywhere, different rooms, my car, etc. I depend on them, for most tasks, reminding me to check my mail, get clothes out of the dryer, take lunch to work, etc.

 

[Xantippe]

I have sticky notes everywhere, different rooms, my car, etc. I depend on them, for most tasks, reminding me to check my mail, get clothes out of the dryer, take lunch to work, etc.

Nice.

The night before school, I sticky reminders onto my big kids’ places at the kitchen table. So, for example, last night’s sticky notes said something like:

–big water bottle (the kids are having a service day and it will be HOT)
–sunblock
–$20 for snack card (they have an official snack break in the late morning)

 

[Xantippe]

My end of the kitchen table is currently covered with sticky notes and school papers, but as Baby Girl is going to be in pre-k all day today, I have a reasonable hope of clearing much of it away today before school pickup time.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

On the other hand, there’s a running joke in my circles about her method. She says to get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy. So far I’ve gotten rid of all my bras, my scale, all my vegetables, the treadmill, and a pile of bills.

I’ve been mesmerized lately by those Five Minute Crafts Genius Hacks videos. Which usually lead to others of the same kind. Lots of repetition, but some great ideas, too.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Yeah, that sounds pretty much the same as me. In my case, I sometimes tend to get overwhelmed with the enormity of what I’m attempting to declutter, and then I just freeze up and procrastinate like an idiot. Marie Kondo helped enormously, but even still it’s often a struggle to get started.

Don’t know if you like Mr. Brainwash or not, but some of his stuff is pretty great. I posted this once before for another CAF member, but since it’s your exact user name…

I’m not familiar with Mr. Brainwash, but I liked the pic, thanks for sharing!