It's a problem as old as time. You spend the day cleaning and organizing your home only to have someone come home, and in a matter of minutes, undo everything that you have spent long hours doing. Recently cleared off countertops are, once again, stacked with who-knows-what. Someone's choice of socks for the day are now lying in a ball in the middle of the floor. Shoes are blocking the entrance of the house. Jackets are thrown across the arm of the chair. Dirty drink glasses have reproduced and found their way everywhere, except for their preferred spot in the dishwasher.

You had never realized, until this exact moment, that it was even scientifically possible for a tornado to form INSIDE the house on a clear, sunny day. What can be done to remedy this problem?

1. First of all, take a step back. This is not only your home, but also the home of the loveable creatures that made the mess in the first place. As hard as it may be to admit, we have ALL been found guilty of the 'I'm just getting home for the day...I just want to plop in a chair' feeling. A long day at work, school, volunteering, or running errands can make you feel less than ambitious when you first make it through the doors of the old homestead.

Keep in mind that a little bit of this or that on the counter (or a backpack or briefcase) plopped down in a random place on the carpet is NOT an emergency situation, nor does it totally cancel out the work that you just put in. It's called life.

We all wish we could live in a model home where bathrooms never need cleaning, everything is always picked up, and clutter is just something you hear about. We can wish for it, but we all know it's not realistic.

Try this: Give everybody a free pass for about a half hour after they get home. If they are able to make it through the doors of the house with no signs of damage, then great. If not, allow some wind down time before you start shouting cleanup commands. Sometimes people just need a few minutes to decompress and then they are better equipped to hang up a jacket or find a clothes hamper.

I know I have had days where folding the clean laundry has been put off until after I have had a few minutes to sit down and regroup. Not taking care of things immediately is not the same as not taking care of things at all. Sometimes we all just need a few minutes to get back on task.

2. A second thing you can try is using baskets. Having each person place a small basket near the doorway will allow every person to corral all of their items as they reenter the house, instead of scattering them all over. Then, after the initial wind-down time, they can just grab their basket and put away what is theirs. For me, this one works wonders because it doesn't undo everything I have just accomplished, PLUS it makes it super easy to know whose phone charger or library book it is. Also, grabbing one basket and saying, 'Put your things away' is easier than naming off ten items that are cluttering up your living room. An empty basket means that person's work is done, at least for the time being. You can then use the basket to hold items that the person needs to take with them the following day when they leave the house. This can prevent early morning scramblings to find things they need for the day and makes it less likely that things will be forgotten at home.

3. A final step is compromise. Everybody has their own individual tolerance for clutter and messes. Mine happens to be a bit low. I like it when things look clean, crisp, and put away. I don't like it when my fridge door is covered in papers, when the laundry hamper is viewed as an option, or when half full glasses of milk are left to die a slow death in a basement room somewhere. I cringe at a jacket thrown over the back of a chair when a perfectly good closet stocked with hangers is five steps away. I guess I like it how I like it.

BUT, I know not everyone is wired the same way. One person's 'mess' could very well be another person's 'clean.' Keeping this in mind can help to alleviate some of the stress. Designate certain rooms to be 'clean zones' where things aren't allowed to accumulate. Mine is typically the living room, the largest room as well as the first room you see when you enter the house. If this room is kept under control, I tend to be less crazy when my teen's room is less than stellar.

Designate the rooms that you personally spend the most time in and that are most likely to be seen by others as non-clutter zones. Make sure everybody is on the same page with that. Having one or two rooms that are always maintained can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed by messes or feeling that you've got things under control, at least until the next storm blows through.

How to Quickly Organize Your Home,
Your Time, and Your Life
Even if You Don't Have
One Ounce of Organizing Sense

To fast-forward to getting organized today, visit:

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Do you feel like, no matter what you do, you can't seem to get organized?

Perhaps your clutter is always getting ahead of you, or your TO DO list is a mile long. Maybe you can't keep up with your tasks, or your paperwork is out of control, or your email has become overwhelming. Perhaps you just can't figure out where to store things? Maybe you find yourself procrastinating, or having trouble prioritizing.

No matter what your organizing challenges are, they are all causing UNHAPPINESS, STRESS, EXHAUSTION, OVERWHELM, and FRUSTRATION...and those are five things you definitely don't need in your life.

If you've been struggling to get yourself and your home organized, It's NOT YOUR fault. There are huge, little-known, obstacles that are preventing millions of people, like you, from getting quickly and permanently organized.

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It's called my 'I'm Finally Organized Toolkit' and it includes literally EVERYTHING you need to get organized now!

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* Dozens of secrets for clearing the clutter and the chaos, without having to toss everything

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* Yes, you can be organized, even if you're a Pack Rat!

* How to find hidden energy and motivation to not only start...but complete...any project

* Creative and inventive storage ideas

* Clean your house in half the time

* Conquer your laundry mountain

* Slay the raging, paper beast

* Clear your email inbox easily...without missing anything important

* Increase your productivity by leaps and bounds

* How to ensure you never forget anything again...ever!

* and so much more!

I know you want to get started on your organizing journey now, and I'm excited to help you begin as quickly as possible. In light of this, when you get your hands on my I'm Finally Organized Toolkit BEFORE MONDAY, AUGUST 28th, 11:59 PM, you'll get a whole bunch of amazing BONUSES...

* What You Need to Know to Become Super Organized

* Hilarious Versus Smart Clutter Tips

* Get Organized Now! Favorite Reader Tips

* 365 Words of Wisdom to Motivate and Inspire You

* 50 Super Cool Ways to Organize Your Home and Your Life

Begin getting organized. It's one of the most wonderful things you can do for yourself...it guarantees an easier, happier, more joyful life! Visit:

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Article: Tired of clutter? Declutter your home in 11 easy steps
getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-declutter-home.html



Ask Maria: A reader asks, 'How can I organize tons of paperwork after a funeral?'
getorganizednow.com/ask-maria-organizing-papers-funeral.html



Cleaning Secrets: Eliminate funky smells...5 easy ways
getorganizednow.com/cleaning-secret-funky-smells.html



Dirty Little Secret 1: I find it really difficult to add any clutter to a surface when this item is on that surface. Can you guess what it is?
http://www.getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-surface-clutter.html



Dirty Little Secret 2: Is it challenging to get your family members to replace the toilet paper when it runs out? Do this
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-change-toilet-paper.html



Dirty Little Secret 3: I eat less sweets by doing this one simple thing. Find out
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-eat-less-sweets.html



Mini Challenges: This week we're focusing on organizing challenges that you can do super fast. Here are a handful. 1-2-3...go
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-3-minutes.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: Is it cheaper to book a flight last-minute? Find out...
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New Web Poll When you need to work on a focused 'paperwork' task, do you prefer sound or silence? Vote in our poll and let us know. It only takes a second or two, and you will see live up-to-the-minute results
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Theme of the Week: Serenity. Enjoy our home page quotes, that reflect our theme, for added inspiration and motivation this week
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1. Clean out one kitchen cabinet. Remove everything from one kitchen cabinet and wipe clean. If necessary, vacuum out any crumbs or other debris. Before replacing the items that were in there (food, glasses...whatever) weed out anything you no longer need. Finally, put the keepers back in an organized manner.

2. Donate five toys or games. Get together with your kid(s) and agree on 5 toys, games, stuffed animals, etc. that are no longer being loved. Donate these. Then do something fun together afterwards.

3. Write a thank you card. Whether someone just gave you a gift or you just want to thank someone for their friendship, write out a thank you card to someone special in your life.

4. Freshen up an area of your home. What can you do to an area of your home to make it look fresh and new? Perhaps switch out some art work or other decor, add a vase of fresh flowers, or rearrange some furniture? Do something this week to give that area a quick update.

5. Reread a favorite book. Rather than reading something brand new this week, reread something you already enjoyed once. Very often, a book is even more interesting the second time around.

Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.

--J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire




I'd love to hear from you.
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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

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