Getting into a Groove

Well, I have started on my journey of getting my days organized and ordered.

The book I mentioned in my last post was really no help at all. But I just ordered two other books that are what I was looking for.
The first book is called, "Bonnie's Household Organizer" by Bonnie McCullough and the other is "How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life" by Alan Lakein. They are both from the 1980s and are really good.

I have only completed the first book and already feel encouraged about completing all the demands of my day. I think I was feeling overwhelmed and really couldn't see past my situation to a solution, so that is what this book did for me.

I think if I am honest, I was hoping for some sort of tool that would somehow magically eliminate tasks that need accomplished daily, but the reality is, there are things that need to get done.

What I learned from this book so far, and what will work for me:

*Set a day when I will do certain tasks, like laundry. Finish it by the end of the day.
*Complete a task before I start a new one.
*Have a place for everything and put things back where they belong.
*Be efficient, maybe empty the dishwasher while lunch is cooking.
*Figure out how best to use the time I do have, what is the most important task for that time.
*Get rid of clutter, this is continual. Keep the stuff I use, get rid of the stuff I don't.
*Give myself a 5 min time limit in a main area and pick up, it can instantly feel better and clean.


Bonnie's quote sums up why I want to get a handle on this: "People are more important than things, but the order of things affects people."

Yesterday, I put this into action and spent some time in the girls room, in their dressers and closet. Minimizing the amount of clothes in their dressers, keeping the clothes they actually wear regularly and putting away the rest. Going through bags of hand me downs, etc. It felt good and it feels more organized and easier to stay on top of.

Getting the kids effectively involved is my next thing, I think simplifying things for them is going to be the key. I will probably start with one chore until they have a handle on it. I think I half expected them to look at the chore list I gave them, read it and happily do it, therefore, cutting my responsibilities in half. Well, that is not reality and it is my job to teach them how to go about being responsible and how to actually do certain chores that they haven't been taught yet.
I need to do a better job of following through and keeping them accountable, I am working on it.

I am slowly figuring this out and finding out what works for me and for our family. I am encouraged and excited and for the first time in a long time, my days aren't feeling out of control.