2019 - Organize Your Life & Declutter Your Stuff

[msventoux]

Jan 2, 2019 22:18:52 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Here's a musing: 
There's a concept of "An Ideal Day". 
Basically, one maps out from wake to sleep what their day would look like every day as a regular routine. 
A completely simplistic example version would be

(with times next to them)
Wake up
Morning Routine
Work
Afternoon Workout
Dinner
Homework
Evening Routine
Sleep

(What I wrote out for mine is more specific. )

For the last few months, I feel like I've had very little structure to my day. Part of that is because I changed jobs. I'm not a classroom teacher this year. I work in four different buildings, and I have five different job descriptions that technically add up to a 1.0FTE. 

Now, I enjoy my work. I just don't feel like I'm organizing my day well enough. I came across this concept of "An Ideal Day" and thought I'd block out my weekdays to match. 

And then I went to work today--day one of this new plan. By 8:45am, my day had gone to heck. Granted, a horrible bitch of a woman decided to target me this morning; that took up three hours of my time that I wasn't anticipating. That doesn't happen more than once a month--at least since I took this new job in August. Then, I took DD#2 to an appointment and I went to PT this afternoon, and because I can flex my time I didn't take any sick leave. That means I need to make up two hours of my afternoon. 

So I'm 0/1 on following my ideal work day. 

Am I just being unrealistic that there's such a thing as having a proper schedule? 

You’re very good at lists. Can you incorporate the GTD method of Projects/Next Action lists?

You keep a list of all your outstanding projects or duties. At least once a week, more often if necessary, you review the projects list and write down on your Next Action list the very next action you need to take to move that project along. When you have a block of time available, you review your Next Actions list and decide what you can get done based on time available, energy level, etc.

This methodology doesn’t give rigid structure or an ideal schedule, but does offer the flexibility of dealing with horrible bitches as they rear their ugly heads. Plus, for me it gives peace of mind knowing at a glance everything I need to do and pretty much eliminates the panic of realizing you have a deadline soon for some hated project that’s been put off too long.

[nikiz628]

My decluttering and organizing goals for 2019: 

* Declutter 2,019 items. Last year I lost count, I hope to do a better job tracking this year. 
* Complete our attic conversion (to a bonus room). This will allow for better organization of the boys' toys/games/etc. 
* Work my way around each room of the house, organizing/purging as I do. I find when I break it down to a room at a time, I get more done. 
*Add me to the "purging pounds" club. Idk how many I need to purge because I haven't stepped foot on a scale since....thanksgiving. I'm afraid to see the damage. 

TO DO LIST for the next 2 weeks (Because I am WAY behind- it was nice taking time off  from my to do list while my oldest was on break, but I am paying for it now)

*this is a mix of my general to do list and extra tasks

- Clean up the master bedroom
- Do a quick go through of the clothing in the closet and dresser (I did my side a few months ago, H hasn't touched his in awhile) 
- Go through our bedside tables (3 drawers each) and purge/organize
- Deep clean the master shower, clean the entire master bath
- Clean up and organize/purge vanity drawers and wall cabinet
- Go through bill organizer box and pull all 2018 items out for shredding
- Clean off my desk
- Find a new printer stand (preferably on wheels)
- Completely go through each of the boys' bedrooms and purge/organize/find homes for Christmas presents
- Clean up both boys' dresser drawers and DS1's closet
- Take down the indoor Christmas decorations
- Move LR chair back to its spot (currently hanging out in our bedroom)
- Shampoo couches 
- Go through cabinet in our dining room (it holds the boys' games/coloring supplies/etc). Toss out all the dried up markers and filled up coloring books, put away new coloring stuff from Christmas
- Take more of our recycling to center
- Put the kitchen back together from the holidays
- Clean out the fridge
- Go through DS1's first semester papers and toss what I don't plan to save
- Clean the oven
- Install the last few pieces of trim in our old bathroom. 
- Install the vanity in the old bathroom (how many times has that been on my to do list now? too many!) 
- Install the door on the old bathroom 
- Celebrate that the OLD BATHROOM IS FINALLY FINISHED
- Dust/Vacuum/Mop the whole house 
- Return a few items to Wal-Mart
- Call my bank re: confusing billing statement
- Make hair appointment for myself
- Return shirt to Kohl's 
- Finalize our vacation budget/plans 

[debthaven]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I think it's something to aspire to but you need to accept that your "ideal day" may sometimes be derailed by other people. I don't know anything about msventoux 's system but it sounds interesting! Can you organize yourself by location?

Up at 6.30 today to get my fasting blood test done. Now I can fret about the results.

I cleaned out DH's side of the medicine chest last night. I got him some toiletries for Christmas. Not only was there no room, but he already had one item. We exchanged it and I made room for the rest.  

This week
- Mend DH's jacket/Tues
- Catch up on laundry/Tues
- exchange DH's gift/Wed

- clear out DH's side of the medicine chest/Wed

- blood test/Thurs

- bottle bank/Thurs

- work on lines w K/Thurs

nikiz628 is that the second bathroom? Can you post pix?

[wvugurl26]

I think the ideal day format is intriguing. It would probably give you the structure you are looking for. However, it seems like there will be disruptions on some days. I don't think it's bad to aim for ideal but don't beat yourself up over missing it. From the sounds of your duties it seems like things could go awry just because there are multiple pieces.

[bobosensei]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I like the idea of an ideal day.

Mine would be wake up early, walk dogs and workout, tidy up the house and make bed before leaving for work, after work walk dogs again, cook dinner or advance any ongoing home projects, hobbies, tidy up the house again, soak in the hot tub, and then lay in bed.

On weekends I'd add time for batch cooking, shopping, yard work or more involved home projects, but also an outing each day for something fun. On Sunday I often go to a church service.

[nidena]

Jan 2, 2019 22:18:52 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Here's a musing: 
There's a concept of "An Ideal Day". 
Basically, one maps out from wake to sleep what their day would look like every day as a regular routine. 
A completely simplistic example version would be

(with times next to them)
Wake up
Morning Routine
Work
Afternoon Workout
Dinner
Homework
Evening Routine
Sleep

(What I wrote out for mine is more specific. )

For the last few months, I feel like I've had very little structure to my day. Part of that is because I changed jobs. I'm not a classroom teacher this year. I work in four different buildings, and I have five different job descriptions that technically add up to a 1.0FTE. 

Now, I enjoy my work. I just don't feel like I'm organizing my day well enough. I came across this concept of "An Ideal Day" and thought I'd block out my weekdays to match. 

And then I went to work today--day one of this new plan. By 8:45am, my day had gone to heck. Granted, a horrible bitch of a woman decided to target me this morning; that took up three hours of my time that I wasn't anticipating. That doesn't happen more than once a month--at least since I took this new job in August. Then, I took DD#2 to an appointment and I went to PT this afternoon, and because I can flex my time I didn't take any sick leave. That means I need to make up two hours of my afternoon. 

So I'm 0/1 on following my ideal work day. 

Am I just being unrealistic that there's such a thing as having a proper schedule? 

Sounds like when I worked in aircraft maintenance.  We'd have the morning meeting where we discussed what was flying, what was being fixed, and what was coming up within the next day or so.  Fifteen minutes after leaving that meeting, the whole plan would go to pot because one of my key workers was out sick or something that was small to fix turned into something big to fix.  I think all you can do is mark up the block for "Work" and don't get any more specific than that.

[finnime]

Jan 2, 2019 22:18:52 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Here's a musing: 
There's a concept of "An Ideal Day". 
Basically, one maps out from wake to sleep what their day would look like every day as a regular routine. 
A completely simplistic example version would be

(with times next to them)
Wake up
Morning Routine
Work
Afternoon Workout
Dinner
Homework
Evening Routine
Sleep

(What I wrote out for mine is more specific. )

For the last few months, I feel like I've had very little structure to my day. Part of that is because I changed jobs. I'm not a classroom teacher this year. I work in four different buildings, and I have five different job descriptions that technically add up to a 1.0FTE. 

Now, I enjoy my work. I just don't feel like I'm organizing my day well enough. I came across this concept of "An Ideal Day" and thought I'd block out my weekdays to match. 

And then I went to work today--day one of this new plan. By 8:45am, my day had gone to heck. Granted, a horrible bitch of a woman decided to target me this morning; that took up three hours of my time that I wasn't anticipating. That doesn't happen more than once a month--at least since I took this new job in August. Then, I took DD#2 to an appointment and I went to PT this afternoon, and because I can flex my time I didn't take any sick leave. That means I need to make up two hours of my afternoon. 

So I'm 0/1 on following my ideal work day. 

Am I just being unrealistic that there's such a thing as having a proper schedule? 

I think you're on to something. I was just reading about a book, Atomic Habits, in which the habit of showing up for x structures the day and initiates the habit. So with your changed job you will want to set up changed structure. As you're naturally organized you will feel the need for structure acutely.

[chapeau]

Why does everyone’s ideal day include their job? That would be the first thing to go on mine!

I’m only kidding a little. But my ideal day is less about structure, I think, than pre-planning. So both DD and I lay out our clothes the night (or Sunday?) before. Lunch prep is also done the night before. My job is almost 100% customer interaction, so I can plan virtually none of it. Yesterday I saw 2 people until 20 minutes before we closed, when 3 came in at once. So I was at work 45 minutes late, which shot the rest of the evening and part of this morning, too, since I needed to finish something yesterday before I picked DD up after school so I could do the next part this morning. Instead I’m hoping to get part done today at lunch.
I wish I could speak/write Gaelic, since “the best laid plans of mice and men” finishes up much more nicely in Gaelic than English.

[nidena]

Jan 3, 2019 10:52:08 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Why does everyone’s ideal day include their job? That would be the first thing to go on mine!

I’m only kidding a little. But my ideal day is less about structure, I think, than pre-planning. So both DD and I lay out our clothes the night (or Sunday?) before. Lunch prep is also done the night before. My job is almost 100% customer interaction, so I can plan virtually none of it. Yesterday I saw 2 people until 20 minutes before we closed, when 3 came in at once. So I was at work 45 minutes late, which shot the rest of the evening and part of this morning, too, since I needed to finish something yesterday before I picked DD up after school so I could do the next part this morning. Instead I’m hoping to get part done today at lunch.
I wish I could speak/write Gaelic, since “the best laid plans of mice and men” finishes up much more nicely in Gaelic than English.

I love my job.  I get to play Barbie--with real people--every time I work.  I get them dressed up.  I have them try on different blouses and shoes.  It's awesome.  

As for cleaning up and further decluttering, that will have to wait until this weekend.  I'm working the next two days.

[ohmomto2boys]

I'm hoping 2019 is a transformation for our house - decluttering and organization.  It will take some money and we are prepared/preparing for it.
1.  1/2 bath will be remodeled in the next 2 weeks.  Everything is bought, just waiting on the contractor to start.
2.  Ordered a new desk and chair for our home office.  It will be ready beginning of March.  This will be a big transformation for a small room.  There is a huge L shaped desk in there now plus a big file cabinet.  All of that will be given away or sold.  We have started to shred papers already.  We may paint the room too before the desk and chair arrive.  Need to add a shelf to hold the printer and a bit of storage.
3.  Go through the kids closets and purge clothes they don't wear and/or don't fit.  Same with shoes.  I will take everything to a resale shop and anything they don't want will be donated. 
4.  I have already started a box of clothes for myself that need taken to the resale shop.  Again, anything they don't want will be donated.
5.  The living room that the kids play video games in is getting an update too.  We will sell/give away mis-matched furniture and purchase new.  Update the curtains, end tables, and the carpet.  New lamps, hang the TV on the wall, get a new media console.  Make it look like a grown-up room instead of a bachelor pad.   
6.  Continue to purge items from the basement.  I believe my dad will have a garage sale this spring and we will throw some items in since I will be helping him with it.
7.  Start seriously looking at a complete remodel of the kitchen - late 2019.  All new cabinets, flooring, backsplash, sliding door to patio, refrigerator (other appliances are fine).  
8.  Take a vacation.

I love seeing everyone's progress....it is very motivating!

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh’s 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge:


Day 1 -Set up a donation bin. And, everyone in your house finds 5 items to place in the bin.

Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized - Shoes. Gather all of your shoes up from your closet. If they have dust on them, don’t fit, etc, put them in your donate bin. Only keep shoes you love, wear, and that fit you well.

Day 3 of #31Days2GetOrganized - Home Safety. Being organized is not just about closets and files, it's also about ensuring the best life for you and your family. The New Year is a great time to check smoke detectors in your home. Make this your 10 minute challenge for the day and make your family a little safer in the process!

#31Days2GetOrganized

[debthaven]

You have a lot of exciting projects planned ohmomto2boys ! We redid our 32YO kitchen in June 2016, with an Ikea kitchen and a glass backsplash (not from Ikea). We kept the tile flooring. It was great value for money and 2.5 years later, we're still super happy with it! Now all we have to do is finish paying it off lol.

We're hoping to have our bedroom repainted and recarpeted this spring/summer but we'll see.

This weekend
- lunch with D/Fri
- donation bin/Fri
- put away Christmas/Sat
- record play with DH+DS3

Learning lines is ongoing. DS3 leaves on Sun.

The new boiler guy is coming tomorrow (with the old roofer who will do the gutters).

[debthaven]

Well, I didn't have to fret long, my blood results came in. There were SEVEN abnormal numbers.

Long story short I sent them to my new GP, who didn't answer (I'M NOT BLAMING HER!). So I asked my best friend if I could please send them to her because my GP hadn't gotten back to me. S said of course! I HATE doing that (the French actually have an expression for taking advantage of people one knows socially for free medical consultations). But I was freaking out.

S said, meh, 5 of those 7 figures are totally insignificant. You do have a Vit D deficiency, so you need to get out more on sunny days. (She knows me VERY well, and knows that I'd much rather take a dose of Vit D LOL).

For the 7th, she says, on paper you *COULD* be hypothyroid but, knowing you, I REALLY doesn't think so, you don't fit the profile. She told me the French docs diagnose hypothyroidism at anything over 5, while the Brits diagnose it at 10. I'm at 5.7. S is British, with French nationality. She used to be a GP but now she is a sleep doctor, she and her work partner run the sleep clinic at the local hospital.

S said, so sleep soundly tonight, as I will, because you're absolutely fine! I trust S TOTALLY.

What a huge relief!!!

[countrygirl2]

Hubs and I have been in the basement moving stuff out of my sewing room, what a total mess we have.  We had to unload fabric out of 4 huge cabinets to move them.  We have the room emptied except for 2 pattern cabinets.  Hubs is building a wall 20 ft long that we will raise to cover the concrete outer wall in there.  He has foam insulation to put up first, then build the framework and put it up, then drywall it.  I also have to pull the click out tile up against the outside wall, to set the base plate.


After that is able to put up the rails for ceiling tile.  Once we are done with that, the walls need painted in there, well tape and bed the new wall first.  He is also adding some receptacles for electric. He is going to extend the ductwork, then put up a door to that room.  He has already added a big LED light for me over the sewing area.  I already have the rubber trim for the floor edge also.  It will be very nice when I put it all back together.  It will take awhile and more money then we thought of course.


I hope then but probably the year of 2020 to do the main room down there since we have to finish the house in town first.  We have soooo much to do.

[debthaven]

Just decluttered the younger kids' medicine chest and the kitchen medicine chest. I only decluttered the expired meds, not their "personal" drawers.

[startsmart]

I'm really liking the Marie Kondo show on Netflix. It's re-inspiring me to go through my house and clean things out. I can't do it properly right now due to client work but I'm going to get started with the kitchen, I think. Since I'd like to remodel my kitchen later this year it would be good practice to get rid of what I don't need. Of course, I also got 2 rather bulky kitchen things from my parents for Christmas so I think that part of this will be creating space for the unused appliances in the garage. 


Goals for this week:
1. Deep clean the kitchen countertops + microwave
2. Take the Christmas bins + tree to the storage unit
3. Write down quotes from last year's books
4. Catch up on laundry - nearly done! 
5. Make another batch of cinnamon rolls
6. Tidy up backyard before it rains (Saturday)
7. Finish chapters 1-3 of my book

[TheOtherMe]

debthaven  I'm glad your friend could calm you down so you can sleep tonight.  

I know how frantic I was during the time I was waiting for the diagnostic scan after my mammogram and then waiting for the results for a few hours that day.  

[Sharon]

I keep trying to convince myself to work even 10 minutes in the evening during the week, so far it isn't working.

[busymom]

Well, we finally took down our Christmas tree and decorations today.  We do normally leave them up until New Year's Day.



And, our neighbor finally came home from celebrating the holiday with his kids, so we stopped by & gave him a big plate of cookies.  

[nikiz628]

Jan 3, 2019 2:15:02 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I think it's something to aspire to but you need to accept that your "ideal day" may sometimes be derailed by other people. I don't know anything about msventoux 's system but it sounds interesting! Can you organize yourself by location?

Up at 6.30 today to get my fasting blood test done. Now I can fret about the results.

I cleaned out DH's side of the medicine chest last night. I got him some toiletries for Christmas. Not only was there no room, but he already had one item. We exchanged it and I made room for the rest.  

This week
- Mend DH's jacket/Tues
- Catch up on laundry/Tues
- exchange DH's gift/Wed

- clear out DH's side of the medicine chest/Wed

- blood test/Thurs

- bottle bank/Thurs

- work on lines w K/Thurs

nikiz628 is that the second bathroom? Can you post pix?

It’s the original bathroom that we converted to a bathroom/laundry room (not the one we added on- I think I shared pics of that one last year). It’s been sitting at 75% finished since spring because we hit a wall after doing the addition. We just needed a home Reno break for a few months. Now we are kicking it into high gear to get it done.

[countrygirl2]

My tree is still  up and a lot of my yard stuff is sitting on the front porch ready to be put away

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

So, Ideal Work Day #2 was only 50% effective. I had to chaperone a fundraiser for speech and debate ( which I coach because DD asked me to). I forgot one of the other kids signed us up for it. So, I was at that from 5:15-7:45.
Now, I was with my kid, so that was good. I squeezed in some professional reading and a ten minute walk.

But I didn’t accomplish any household tasks.
I’ll look into the GTD philosophy.

I’m not sure I can do the “ideal day” organizational structure if it seems like I’m going to “fail” more often than not.

I just want to make sure I’m managing my time well.

[imanangel]

I will be decluttering my office and some old boxes of papers today. I will be honest that it really isn't for the purpose of actual decluttering....I need some paperwork from my old job in Italy, so I can reapply for my old job in Italy (and in other locations in Europe as well.)
But either way, decluttering will be happening. 

[debthaven]

Ugh. The new GP wants me to come in to go on thyroid meds. I told her I'd make an appt in the next couple of weeks. I want another opinion (my friend in NY). Apparently the French are notorious for overprescribing thyroid meds in middle-aged women. I think I will ask for another blood test in the spring before I start any meds.

This weekend
- lunch with D/Fri
- donation bin/Fri
- record play with DH/Fri

- put away Christmas/Sat

DH and DS3 stocked up on firewood so we should be good for the rest of the winter.

I have another donation bag ready but I want to my new coat to arrive first.

[TheOtherMe]

I have been on thyroid meds for years.  I can tell a difference if I don't take them.  It's currently at the lowest does I've ever been on.

[tcu2003]

Peter Walsh’s 31 Days to Get Organized Challenge:


Day 1 -Set up a donation bin. And, everyone in your house finds 5 items to place in the bin.

Day 2 of #31Days2GetOrganized - Shoes. Gather all of your shoes up from your closet. If they have dust on them, don’t fit, etc, put them in your donate bin. Only keep shoes you love, wear, and that fit you well.

Day 3 of #31Days2GetOrganized - Home Safety. Being organized is not just about closets and files, it's also about ensuring the best life for you and your family. The New Year is a great time to check smoke detectors in your home. Make this your 10 minute challenge for the day and make your family a little safer in the process!

Day 4 - #31Days2GetOrganized - This year’s challenge Mantra is “No more later” aka stop procrastinating. Today's challenge is to contact someone, preferably by phone, that you’ve been putting off. It could be a friend, family member, for more coworker, etc, but do it today! #31Days2GetOrganized #ItsAllTooMuch #LetItGo #NoMoreLater #DoItNow #GoodbyeProcrastination #GetInTouch


#31Days2GetOrganized

[imanangel]

I have cleaned out 4 drawers of papers and junk (coffee table and end tables) and have overheated my shredder. I still haven't found the paperwork I needed, but I did find other stuff that I need to file away someplace safe. 
I have tossed old magazines, old recipes I printed and never cooked (have I ever mentioned I am addicted to cookbooks, cooking magazines, and recipes?)
Ok. I guess I will go start making piles in the office while my shredder cools off. 

[moneysquirrel]

Thought I would just stop in and say hello. I have been getting things done around the house.  Managed everything that was on the earlier list plus some. 

Today has been pretty busy and things have been moving along nicely.  I was able to get another box loaded and added to the ones that were scheduled to be picked up this morning. They are now on their way to some new homes.

Also DSS stopped by and picked up the afghan that I just finished for him plus a few other items that I was holding for him. So that adds to the items out of the house.

Also:
*I finished up the last of the four loads of laundry. 
*Ordered the supplies I needed for the stained glass class.
*Started packing away some of the Christmas items. Mainly the linens and items in the kitchen and bath.  Major items -- Tree and Nativity Sets -- will stay up until Twelfth Night. It will take me a few days to get it all done but should be finished by the end of next week.
*Finished transferring money to the account with the better interest rate.
*Made the first payment and a little extra on my new wheels.

debthaven -- I am glad that your friend was able to calm you about the test results.  I been there and just recently also got good news about the series of test that I have been taking.  The culprit I think was a RX I was taking which cause some levels to rise to what my GP was not happy with.  Through process of elimination and several rounds of blood work are they are now back to normal.

Time for a late lunch.  See you later.


 

[wvugurl26]

The paper just multiplies. I've been working on taming it myself. I have been managing this week to keep up with the paper coming into my house. Still have lots of old stuff but I'm making progress.

[debthaven]

Congrats on the new wheels moneysquirrel !  I'm so glad your test results are good now.