Monday, February 25, 2008

Organizing

I can't tell you how many times I have cleaned out closets and drawers only to find they are messy a week later. I feel often that all I do is wander around the house picking up stuff. I decided I needed to learn how to organize the right way so it will stay clean. I have spent a greater part of this week tearing my house apart and organizing it. I went to the library and got some books on organizing and got some great advice from my very organized mom. I am going through a closet or shelf one at a time, emptying it, measuring it, buying containers and labeling everything.

I read that being organized will:


save you time.
save you money.
improve your relationships.
make you happier and feel more accomplished.


I can see why these are all so true. I know that once I am done, I will spend more time with my kids, I will read more and be more productive. I am sure I will also be in a better mood. I have gotten rid of a ton of stuff and am simplifying as much as possible. I love the simple, clean, uncluttered feel. I even have more energy. My first miracle of this was we left for church and the house was CLEAN!! It usually looks like a tornado hit. Not yesterday, everything was in its place. And we were even on time. I feel like I am in control of the messes in my house now, all the toys are out of the kids reach and everything has a place. Here are a couple pictures of my organized house I have been so busy working on.



Before After

My next space to attack is the pantry. Please give me any ideas , suggestions and pictures that work for you. Once I got started organizing, I can't stop. I won't stop until it is done and I am having a great time doing it. Also, I would love more ideas for toy organizing. If you are organized, please send me tips. If you aren't, get moving, it will change your life.

18 comments:

Maryann said...

I SO need help in this area!

Katie said...

Jane, you are amazing.

Are your twins jumping up and down because they're happy to wake up, or because they just caught a glimpse of their newly sorted and labeled toys??

mle photography said...

Jane,
thanks for your comment! I'm excited to know that you have a blog. It's so cute! You inspire me to be more organized :)

Julia said...

Isn't it the best! I love having every nook and cranny organized. You did a great job! I especially love your neat and tidy laundry room. That's our catch all and it's in need of more organization.

Lisa said...

Let me just tell you how happy I am that you live next door! First, I love that table in your entry. Second, where did you get those spice things they are awesome!Third, can we talk about nursery ideas tonight at dinner?

Brooke said...

This is so amazing Jane! Your house looks so organized and I am so jealous. I feel like all I do all day is move stuff from one room to the next and I only have one child! I totally agree that being organized helps you in all those areas and the more organized you get the more organized you want to become...getting started is the hard part.

Carrigan Clan said...

Jane...? Can I just hire you?

Breena said...

Jane, we are friends for a reason. My idea of heaven is the container store and a really good labeler. After about 40 trips to goodwill and 3 moves in the last 18 months, I finally feel our crap is under control and organized. But, then again, Tim and I don't have kids yet... that's the true test.

Keep the tips coming.

Breena said...

You probably already have some of this, but here's what I used for my "pantry" (AKA 2 cupboards in a very small apartment).

Can Rack
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74108&PRODID=67324

Shelf Tiers
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74108&PRODID=10016112

Undershelf Baskets
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74108&PRODID=10017495

RJ said...

OHHHHHHHHH! I am so jealous. I so desperately want to be organized. No one ever tells you in Young Women when you're growing up that you should be doing all your personal progress goals on:
"How the heck to keep your "stuff" in order."
Seriously, it makes the home a home and that is important stuff! I wish we lived closer so I could have a one on one tutor session. Do you remember my clutter from college days? Only gotten worse...:(

I am on a mission too though. I WILL have a house of order, someday:) Which books did you find the most helpful? I need to study first, I think. Thanks for the post, I would love updates.

Courtney Vance said...

Jane you've always been well organized, I love it! I should come visit you and your cute house. I hate that my house is under construction and that I can't get anything clean and organized. I'm so jealous!

Julie Knowlton said...

Will you please apply a label to James' forehead that says, "My heart belongs to Julie"?

Thanks.

Alyse said...

Way to go Jane! I wish I was that organized! It's so overwhelming to just think about! =) Your house is so cute by the way!

Dawn said...

I saw the amazing organization in person - and I am sooo jealous! By the way can you babysit my three for a week so I can clean and organize my house?

Katie said...

Jane, look what you've started! 14 comments!

(I have nothing to say, by the way. I just wanted to make it an even 15)

Kristi said...

I have so much to learn from you! Your organization looks so great. I too feel so much better when I feel like my home is organized and not a cluttered mess...my best organization came when I had to really clean out my house for the Combs to come and look at it to decide to buy or not. I love it and am excited to be even more organized in my next house. I may be asking you a million questions soon, hopefully you won't mind :)

Simply Tickled Pink and Blue said...

You inspire me in so many way to be a better person, a better mom, a more creative person and definately a more organized person. Thank you!

nicole said...

I am definitely one who needs to get moving! I'm inspired by what you've done. Everything looks wonderful. I love being in places that are clean, neat, and organized...there's just this overall peaceful feeling that I love.
Thanks for motivating me to be better in that area of my life.

ps. Great to hear from you. I love the video of your girls jumping in their cribs. What a marvelous thing to wake up to every day.

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