This is a very trying time in so many ways. It’s going to make your time at home more stressful if you are living with too much disorganization. Try these organizing tips while you are at home and want something productive to do.
Every day from a particular time – say from 10 to 11 a.m. is organizing time. If you can go longer, you get a gold star, but start with a manageable time you will stick to every day.
Pick a drawer (or closet) – i.e. the junk drawer and that’s your goal. The junk drawer should contain pencils, pens, markers, tape, scissors, paper clips, Post-it Notes, tape measure, etc. Use small Tupperware that’s lost its lid to help contain small items. The junk drawer isn’t for junk. Junk gets thrown out.
I think in terms of categories. What items go together should be organized together. Use containers for small items so they stay together. Every home can use The Shoe Box and Men’s Shoe Box from The Container Store. They solve a lot of organizing challenges.
If you are working from home, you have to be disciplined enough to have office hours. It makes me laugh when I think about the movie What About Bob. I’m not saying you have to punch your own timecard, but you do have to designate a time every day you will be in the office. We can’t go to restaurants now, but you can drive around in your car if it’s the spark you need to get some energy to resume work, or go for a walk.
The key to being productive is a plan. Decide on your new schedule and stick to it. I can tell you it’s been my considerable experience working with a variety of clients since 2004, that beginning small, seeing small successes, will motivate you to keep going. This is an opportunity to succeed.
If you have a particular question, email me at nancy@createthespace.com. I don’t want you to get stuck because of a tough decision.
Nancy Nemitz owns Create the Space Professional Organizing. She is currently helping clients virtually. To avoid phone tag, it’s best to contact Nancy by email at nancy@createthespace.com.