A GON Reader Asks:

Hi Maria,

My husband had serious back surgery with multiple fusions, requiring him to not bend, lift, or twist for 18 months!

As such, my home has gotten out of control with medical devices and aids everywhere, but especially the guest bedroom. I have been using it as a storage facility. It is piled with tubs of crafts, handbags, seasonal clothing, decorations, etc. because I cannot lift due to arthritis and my husband is incapable for another year!

My son-in-law will visit and when he does, he'll help by getting whatever I need, but isn't around to help me put it back. Plus, our master bedroom had to be turned into a medical room.

There is nothing that I can readily get rid off, but I need to organize the piles of containers. For instance, there might be a tub of handbags, then winter sweaters, etc.

What organization separation do you think will work?

I did not buy huge tubs, but rather mid-size ones that I can handle, therefore, I have bins of leather boots, snow boots, suede boots, then summer handbags, then winter leather handbags, then long pants divided by dressy, jeans, athleisure, leggings, etc. But everything is mixed together in piles.

I'll eventually get everything put back into its proper place once I have access to my closet again. It is blocked by a medical bed.

I just need to know your thoughts. Do I organize by item or by season? Obviously I didn't think this through in the beginning. Now don't laugh, but I buy good quality and have not purchased any more of the aforementioned items since last summer, a year ago, but I was spoiled by my huge closet. I had the big closet in the master bedroom and my husband used the smaller closet in this guest room which is still accessible but full.

Since we have not socialized much, truthfully I haven't touched 1/10 of my stuff except for the decorations, none of which are Christmas. We usually had an active lifestyle, involved in church and community, traveling, physical fitness, etc., but his major surgery has put not only his life but mine on hold.

I still decorate for the holidays, all of them, just to maintain some level of normalcy. In regards to the rest of the house, the only big change is that many items are now stored on my countertops so that my husband can access them. My job has been to keep the house running and to care for my husband of 48 years. I feel like this is karma for writing twice about a family member and her plethora of unopened boxes.

At least I don't have any cardboard boxes. Everything is in clear tubs, clearly labeled with painters tape. Thanks so much.

This fabulous GON reader 'Ask Maria' question was submitted by:

Deb in Ocean City, Maryland

* * * * *

Maria Gracia responds:

Hi Deb,

First, sending thoughts to both you and your husband...for his quick and as painless-as-possible recovery, and for your patience. This sort of challenge is definitely affecting both of you and it takes strength and patience to get through it.

Luckily you have a guest bedroom that you can use for temporary storage, and it's good that you're making use of it. I would actually sort first by season, and then by item. Since you live in Maryland, this time of year all winter and fall items can be as deep into the room as possible since you won't need to access any of those for awhile. Store spring and summer items forward so you can access them now, organized in categories (t-shirts, flip flops, etc.)

You can certainly store by category (pants, sweatshirts, footwear, etc. in the tubs you have, but it's not going to be fun to be rummaging through tubs every day. You might consider purchasing a garment rack such as the one on this link:

https://amzn.to/2VEQmsu

I like this one because it has a double-rail and also because it rolls. Being able to see clothing hanging is going to be much easier than getting to and digging through containers.

Also, I know you mentioned you're not ready to get rid of anything yet, but it's actually a good time to try to lighten up a bit. Even getting rid of one item a day that you rarely or never use is one less item stuffed in the guest (now storage) room.

As you mentioned, major surgery like this definitely puts things on hold for awhile...and may even make you a bit frustrated with your surroundings. When something must be kept on a counter temporarily for easy access, although it can look less than pleasing, knowing it's not going to have to be there forever may offer some comfort. The more that things like this can be consolidated to a single area will help ensure the entire house isn't out of order.

Regarding your comment about 'karma,' I know situations can feel like that sometimes, but the truth is, everyone gets a cross to bear now and then. Sorry you and your husband are carrying it now.

I know you sent this question to me a little while ago...I get so much reader mail that it's impossible to answer sometimes in a more timely manner. But I hope things are getting better and that you can use some of the ideas I provided. Keep me posted and, again, sending best wishes to you both during your husband's recovery process.

Maria

If you've been wanting to shed weight, trim up, tone up, and look and feel the best you've ever felt in your life, I have something special for you this week. It's called GON GLOW and it's designed to help you shed those extra pounds...trim up...get toned...give you a TON MORE ENERGY...and provide that 'I feel great' feeling.

Get Organized Now to...

G = Get Healthy
L = Lose Weight
O = Outshine Yourself
W - Wake the Wow

With GON GLOW, you get sound advice, motivation, and (most important) support to help you throughout your journey to a new you. And you'll be able to do this WITHOUT starving, WITHOUT food restrictions, and WITHOUT intense exercise.

P.S. It gets even better and brighter! Because summer is coming (and with it...bathing suit season!) when you get GON GLOW...BEFORE Friday, MAY 24th...you will also AUTUMATICALLY get these bonuses valued at over $100 :

BONUS 1: 50 Low-Calorie Snack Recipes
BONUS 2: Small Tweaks for BIG Weight Loss
BONUS 3: Get Healthy on a Budget
BONUS 4: Feel Amazing Every Day
BONUS 5: Exercise in Disguise

Don't miss out. For more details, visit:

www.getorganizednow.com/rd-gonglow.html

GON Articles 20 tips and tricks for an organized move
getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-moving.html


GON Dirty Little Secrets Get every last drop out of your tube of toothpaste with this...

getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-toothpaste-drop.html


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

Do you, or someone you know, have trouble staying on a focused path? If so, you'll love my featured comic of the week

Self-Worth is our theme of the week. Check out the two new quotes I posted related to this theme

Facebook Feature 4 core beliefs for keeping clutter to a minimum

GON Monthly Checklist: May It's past mid-May. How are you doing on my May checklist items this month?

GON Challenges: May The May challenges I created are focused on Organizing Outside. Meet the challenge for Week 3 this week.


Access all of the above on my home page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'Be grateful for each day, even the dark ones.'
--Pepper Winters


I'd love to hear from you.

Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2019 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, its likely I'll receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, I only recommend stuff that I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* To subscribe, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html


* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal readers each week. You'll lose the Weekly Tips, Reader Tips, Reader Clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month (some totaling hundreds of dollars). Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. I'd be lost and lonely without you. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia