I am that person. I am naturally disorganized! I have a problem with clutter. Everything in my home is not in it’s place, nor does it all have it’s own place to go. This is something I’m desperately trying to improve on, so when we had our Mommy Time Facebook party last month, and a reader submitted the question, my ears perked up. Yes, I want to know that!
Listed below are the answers that many different women gave to that question. Yes, I realize that there are way more than ONE listed, but…I think you’ll find a common theme.
Mindy asked: What is the one tip you would tell a naturally disorganized mom to do RIGHT NOW?
Lori: START!! Don’t procrastinate…that was my worst enemy. I also have to make a schedule for myself!
Dianna: The starting is the hardest part!!
Amy: Make a list of what you need to get done! Just start at the top and work your way through it!
Heather from eMeals: Get a housecleaning schedule. If you are a list follower, this definitely helps!
Jennifer from List PlanIt: I’d say, determine the time of day that you feel you are your most productive self and take advantage of that. That may mean getting up early before the kids or staying up later after they are in bed. Make a To Do List and prioritize what needs to be done first.
Eilleen: Start on one area at a time, building from there.
Sandy: Find someone who is organized and sit down with them and make out a plan. You can’t do it if you have no clue where to begin!!
Julie: Think small. One step at a time!
Jill from Blessed Beyond a Doubt: Set the timer for a certain amount of time per day. De-clutter!
Heather from eMeals: It helps me to set a timer. I set the 5:00 marker on our microwave and go to town as fast and furious as I can when I have a few minutes and up it when I really need to knock it out.
Phyllis from Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness: Have everyone make their beds first thing in the morning. It’s the largest item in every bedroom and immediately cuts down on the visual clutter.
Heather: Focus on one thing at a time. Do not allow yourself to get side-tracked by all the other things on your “to do” list.
Lynn: Set small, managable goals…clean for 20 minutes, take a computer break for 10…or something that works for you like that.
Amy: Maybe you are setting the bar a little too high and you are getting overwhelmed! 🙂 Maybe just set aside a few minutes a day to work on your list to-do’s
Emmalee of The Hoggatt Homeschool: the command center is the most helpful thing for me. i put all my info in one spot. also tackle one thing a day. if you think about all that needs done it is way to overwhelming but when you break it down into realistic chunks it is much easier to get started
Heather: The day before garbage day ground yourself to the house and clear it-bag it -remove it until bedtime. You’d be super surprised what you can remove in one day!
Jamie: Just pick 1 thing to focus on! Laundry, OR meal planning, OR bathrooms–just pick one thing to start with and get the hang of that ONE thing first.
Amber from A Classic Housewife: Make a short list of essential things to do every day – and start today. Take baby steps, start small, and expand your circle as you grow and get ahead.
Heather from Emeals: Making a family headquarters is helpful too. You know where everything is and your whole family knows where to look.
Keri: If you are dealing with an entire house of “stuff” I always encourage people, and myself..start with ONE room. DO NOT overwhelm yourself with looking at the big picture because you will not do anything because you don’t know where to start… Pick one room, maybe an easier one so that you don’t scare yourself …and as you work through that one room, it will encourage you for the next, and the next… this is just what I do..and it works. I have become my family’s go to gal for organization and cleaning out, de-cluttering, organizing!
Heather F: stay out of stores, garage sales, thrift shops ect. Just don’t shop. Less stuff -easier to keep up with.
Heather S: Breathe. Start at the smallest task and accomplish something and once you’ve done that, it kind of builds confidence and then you move on to something else and before you know it, you’ve made noticable progress…try to stay focused on one task at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed by everything else. Make a list of everything you have completed so you never feel like you’ve done nothing.
Dawn: Everytime you walk into a room no matter what room it is pick one item to put away whether it is throw away, give away or put in its place. Do this continuously and you will be surprised how quickly you wilk see progress.
Shara: Get up and clean for 15 minutes.
Katy: Delegate…you don’t live in that house alone.
cathy says
I am a caregiver to my 93 y.o. Mom. Feeling overwhelmed with the many things that need to get done prior to Christmas,and an upcoming trip, I found your site. I totally agree with some of these things..such as sticking to a task and complete it …then move on to other things.
My children are now grown,but tending to an alz Mom is like having a toddler who is helpless. Great tips and hints….thanks for this inspiring site ! Cathy in Louisiana
Sidetracked Sarah says
Oh wow, you do have your hands full. Thanks for taking a minute to say hello. I'm so glad to hear that you find the site inspiring! 🙂
Lori says
I'm a new visitor and homeschooling veteran. I've often said that if a mom can't keep her house in order, it can derail a successful homeschool. You've given some good starting points for someone feeling overwhelmed. Visiting from Be Not Weary today, and glad I did 🙂
Sidetracked Sarah says
Thanks for stopping by Lori. You're right, it really can derail us!