Yesterday I was able to take part in a small seminar. We didn’t learn new kitchen tips or exercise moves, but I was still fascinated. The topic at hand?
Organization.
Type A ladies, rejoice!
When I hear home organization, I immediately picture a Pottery Barn Catalog.
But does anyone really live like that? If so, I commend you. Actually, I envy you. I thrive on organization, but don’t always know the best way to achieve it. We talked about our definitions of organization before we were told the ‘correct’ definition.
Organization is knowing what you have and where to find it.
I like that definition, BUT according to that definition, I am ‘organized’ if I know that Hubbs’ brown belt is in the living room, under Koda’s bed and with a stray black winter mitten.
Somehow knowing where an item is among the chaos doesn’t make me feel organized, so we continued.
We discussed how, as women, that we are almost always the CEO’s of our home. Whether you are single, married, married with kids or empty nesters, there are distinct categories that require thought and organization when running your life and home.
- Home and Property (The space you live in and what you own)
- Food (Menus & meals)
- Family & Friends (Your relationships)
- Finances
- Special Events (Anything not in the day to day- cook outs, parties, etc)
- Time & Scheduling
- Self Management (Time for you)
I liked the idea of breaking things down into categories because I could easily identify my strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths: Food (duh). Time & Scheduling. Special Events. Self Management.
Weaknesses: Family & Friends (I don’t do as well at staying in touch via phone as I’d like to. Thank goodness for the internet) Home & Property. (I would love more organization in our bonus rooms, garage, kitchen and storage).
What are you strengths and weaknesses?
We discussed the categories among each other and it was fun to hear what people were good at and their tips. It’s so helpful to learn from others. I talked about the importance of menu planning for the week and keeping emergency meal staples on hand at all times (pasta, sauce, turkey meatballs, frozen veggies).
I learned from others about the importance of a 5-minute pick up, where at the end of the day, everyone takes 5 minutes to put ‘stuff’ back where it belongs. Blankets get folded, not draped over the couch, cabinets closed, mail filed. I liked that tip because it means I would wake up in the morning feeling a bit more like my home was put together.
To wrap things up, our speaker revealed to us the 4 minimum daily requirements that if you do, you’re house will never be completely out of wack. She had my attention.
- Unload the dishwasher. Run it every night and unload it in the morning before breakfast. This is vital (especially if you live with anyone else other than yourself) because an empty dishwasher means that dishes won’t pile up in the sink or on the counter, and we all know how frazzled that feeling is.
- Do one load of laundry everyday. I REALLY liked this one. Sundays are usually laundry days at our house and I dread going in to separate the clothes and start the whole day process of washing, drying and folding. Do one load everyday. And see it through (meaning that clean clothes don’t sit in the dryer- they get folded and put away)
- Prep for dinner. This can be done on Sunday if you have the time- plan out your whole week! But guess what- dinner comes everyday and if you get home from work everyday with that dreaded question –UGH what’s for dinner?? – in the back of your head, you’re going to cause yourself a lot of unnecessary stress. Have a plan.
- Guest bathroom. She explained that this is important in case you have the unexpected guest drop by. Take 3 minutes each day to wipe down the toilet and sink with a Clorox wipe, spray in some bowl cleaner (no need to scrub) and fluff the hand towel.
She explained that by achieving these 4 daily minimum requirements, at the very least, you and your family will always have a clean counter space, something to wear, something to eat and the stress of knowing that if someone stops by, you can relax.
I realize this post was lengthy, but organization is something I strive for in my home, work and personal life. I feel it’s a subject I handle well, but could always learn more about.
Now, let’s learn from each other! What is your best organization tip?
Roz says
OH wow….what great tips. I soooo need a lot of them. I have my strengths in the food, time management, finance and social things…..but the rest definitely needs work. LOVE the unload the dishwasher every night, and the 5 minute cleanup. I’m showing this post to my husband so we BOTH take that on!! Thanks so much for this Brittany!!! Hope you and Baby D (and Koda of course) have a good Thursday.
blackhuff says
I like this tips and I must say, I do all of them 🙂
What I like to do is to cook dinner the night before. This way the kids can eat when we get home in the evenings, so no rush then. I can cook the next evenings dinner with much time to spare.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Love this post, Brittany. I’m pretty happy that I do all of the daily min. except dinner preparation. I’ve been awful at this. I always wait till the last minute then end up not wanting to go to the grocery store to get what I need, and then we end up eating out and wasting money. (Maybe you should do a post about tips on preparing meals) … Sus needs help 🙂
Kelly says
Thanks Brittany I love this post! We are planning to move soon so we are trying to stay super organzied! You have the best tips and receipes ever 🙂 Thanks for the great help in life 🙂
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I love these tips Brittany! I definitely do my best to keep the house tidy, especially before going to bed. I do not like waking up, going downstairs and seeing a mess 🙁 But I definitely want to start doing the “3 minute clean” of the guest bathroom — and our master bathroom as well!
Best organization tip: go through a room each weekend and donate as much as you can. Then put like things together. That is what I’ve been working on doing and it is so much easier to organize when you have less stuff!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
These are really great tips! I love the idea of a little at a time because like you I don’t want to dedicate a whole day to a chore like laundry.
Jenny says
Great post Brittany, I too am a sucker for organization but I’m always up for a good tip! And now that I’m home all the time and have a baby on the way I am looking forward to getting even better!
Mac says
Great tips, sounds like the seminar was worth while! I don’t have kids, but for those mothers out there I heard a good way to keep the massive amount of toys at bay is to have each child pick three toys out that they absolutely have to have and then you (mom and dad) get the say on the rest of the toys… do they stay or do they go. It makes the kids feel like part of the process and you get a cleaner play room/house!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
This is an area of struggle for me. When I worked in an office, my office was VERY organized, because I had full control of my own space. When I lived alone, my space was organized. Now I live with other people and their belongings, and I don’t have full control. Drives me nuts. That might be the control freak in me talking. I do ask my children to help by putting their things away, bring dishes to the sink, etc., but I don’t foresee my husband ever participating in a 5 minute pickup. Though I must say, he has helped me make the bed a few times lately. I appreciated the gesture.
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Sounds like an interesting seminar. I don’t have any tips but should definitely listen to the tip on the mail organization because that’s where I really lack. Every where else I’m pretty good.
John J. says
Time management is one of the keys for me relative to organization. My calendar tells me who and what is important. My calendar notations are reflective of my priorities. Who I spend my time with and what I do describe much of who I am. I strive to live a life with my priorities in order.
Tina says
I really like this idea of breaking it down into categories. I think my weakness is definitely the relationships one and probably special events one.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I am really into organizing. I do laundry 2x/week right now. I am not sure that everyday would be very good on our water bill! I always toss junk mail, clean off the countertops, wipe down the appliances, do dishes, and make the bed everyday. I find that if I clean/organize a little bit each day, it prevents me from having to deal with one massive clean up.
Katie H says
Great tips! Is that second photo your home? If so, it’s gorgeous!!
My favorite organizational tip is google- google calendar and google tasks. I have all of my important to-dos in the task list and my husband and I synched our calendars so we always know what is going on!
Brittany says
It is my home, but a little while ago. We’re gotten a new table and moved the dog’s “bed” since then 😉 But thank you!
I love google. I don’t mind that they are taking over the world!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I am SO the type of organized that you describe as knowing where something is, but not necessarily appearing organized to anyone else. [“It’s in the third pile of papers on the left.”]
I do like the dishwasher idea. I’m not sure about the laundry, but maybe that’s because it’s just me, so I don’t need to do it more than once a week. [With the dishes, there are many of us in this house using the kitchen!]
I am definitely most organized with food and special events…like you, I’m not very good with staying in touch with family and friends.
Aunt Lynn says
Great ideas!! I know I always feel better when things are organized, maybe that’s why I have been feeling kinda blue lately. I am home today and organizing (coincidence) and the more I get done the better I feel. Love you.
Sarah for Real says
Great post! I love this stuff.
I especially love the categories. It’s like organizing your organization tasks. I like assessing lists like that though because it helps me feel more relaxed. I’m not a 100% kind of gal (who is?!), but if I can reach 80% in each of those categories, I’m doing well!
Rachel @ Rachel's Recipes says
Good post! I have a load of towels sitting in the dryer right now…hmmm…
I do the five minute pick-up, sometimes. I always pick up my little one’s toys even though I just get them out the next morning, and I try to go to bed with the kitchen clean. It is just nicer to get up to a clean house.
PS: Your house? Totally cute! Love the floors, and your window treatments!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
GOSH, I wish I was that organized. I need to de-clutter… cause I’m a packrat.
my organization piece of advice? once a month, clean out a piece of space you own. whether it’s your dresser drawers, your closet, your bathroom cabinet, or your fridge, you’ll get rid of a lot of things you don’t need while being able to take inventory of what you DO have and need to use up. 🙂
Corey @ the Runner's Cookie says
I really like those 4 things! And the idea of breaking different areas of life into categories. I definitely could use some help in MANY of those departments…including meal planning, keeping in touch with people, and household stuff. Thanks for making me give this some thought 🙂
Pure2raw Twins says
I wish I was more organized! Sorry I do not have any tips but to have a to-do list pad broken into all the different things I need to get done and get things going. My older sister is really organized I wish I got her gene haha
Sara @ Nourish and Flourish says
Great organization ideas and tips! I couldn’t agree more about the dishwasher. I’ve lived in numerous apartments with roommates, and have always found that emptying the dishwasher magically makes the entire kitchen clean. It’s almost like there’s a threshold…once dishes pile up in the sink, people start “fogetting” to clean up spilled spaghetti sauce. Haha
I recently started carrying a notebook in my bag, so whenever a “to-do” thought slips into my head, I can jot it down. This way, I can cross things off as I go. It’s made a HUGE difference in my life!