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Blog: Life Management
 IT'S NEW YEAR'S DAY SO IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME NEW RESOLUTIONS FOR 2008!
A common and good thing to resolve at this time of year is to clear the clutter. You're, no doubt, scratching your head and wondering where to stash all that new stuff you received from your loved ones at the Christmas gatherings. In my speeches I encourage those "loved ones" to ask for and give consumables. If they didn't hear me speak they probably weren't able to heed my advice thus you're swimming in a pile of new things and now you need to find a home for all of them.
Some of these gifts can, and probably should, be returned or exchanged for something you really need…okay, or really want. Some that can't be returned and though you love the thought that went into getting this for you it just isn't something you want or need to keep. These types of things are good candidates for "regifting" which is becoming an acceptable giving option. Some items that are a bit on the "Who would ever need or want this?" list have become a great joke in some families. For example, I heard of one family that bought a waffle iron that wasn't needed by anyone in the family because they all had one so it has now popped up for years as a hilarious "regifted" prize. The family member who got it the previous year carefully disguises it in new wrappings and gives it to another family member the following year. Everyone waits with anticipation to see who'll get the "prize" at the next years family gathering and when it's opened all burst out in laughter as it's revealed once again.
As you're putting things away take a close look at your drawers. A friend shared a great idea with me for organizing drawers. It's called the A-B-C-D method, and it's incredibly easy! It works for closets too!
You know how frustrating it is to reach into a drawer and the thing you want is always on the bottom. Here's how to have everything you need right at your finger tips...
1. Start with one drawer.
2. Take everything out and put it in a pile (a temporary pile!)
3. Organize your piles according to the following method:
"A" pile is the stuff you use every day or at least very often.
"B" pile includes the things you use once a week, or fairly often, but not as often as the "A" stuff.
"C" pile is for objects you use "seasonally" (i.e. corn cob holders and cherry pitters).
"D" pile (brace yourself) is the garage sale or trash pile.(Throw away things you never use, and probably don't even
know what it is, so why is it still in your drawer?)
Now it's time to put things back into the drawers…
· Put the "B" things back into the drawer first, on the bottom or in the back.
· Put the "A" things on top and in the front.
· Put the "C" things in a clearly labeled box for the attic or basement.
· With the "D" stuff – let your family members look it over just to be safe. If they can identify it or need it, fine, but let them know they are responsible for finding a place to store it. It will not go back in your drawer. If no one wants it, trash it (or put it in the garage sale, on e-bay, or Craig's list to clutter someone else's drawers!)
Do you see how you have cut in half the clutter in your drawer? Now everything you need is practically at your finger tips!
Okay, now it's time to start drawer #2, #3, etc. Then dig into your closets with the same type of method.
If you feel particularly ambitious and have a large chunk of uninterrupted time, you may want to empty all the drawers in one room at a time, and totally reorganize! But don't do it if you think it will overwhelm you. One drawer at a time can be reorganized in less than ten minutes! It's as easy as A-B-C…and don't forget the D!
HAPPY NEW "ORGANIZED" YEAR! Note: If you feel you won't be successful tackling these types of projects on your own check out the services of a Professional Organizer at The Organizing Specialists ...
I sometimes call this "rent a nag"… we'll get you organized!
posted on: 1/1/2008 12:00:00 PM by Judy Warmington
category: The Mental Side
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