Thursday, January 1, 2015

84 So You Want To Get More Organized in 2015?

Cheers my dears! I couldn't be more thrilled for the new year! It is always such a beautiful time to reflect, set goals and celebrate a fresh start!



In the past, I would set goals year after year to "get more organized" or "keep our home clean" or "manage my time better".  I would jot those items down on a list with great intentions and within days, weeks or months, completely fall off the wagon.  The problem wasn't the passion or urge to want those things, it was the lack of direction.  It was that I was being far to broad with my goals and was not being realistic about what it would take to accomplish any one of those things.

It got me thinking, what was I doing wrong?  Are others struggling with the same desire to "get organized", but losing steam weeks in?  What can I do to stop making these empty goals and start celebrating what I am doing right?

For as long as I can remember, I have had fantasies of clutter free surfaces, relaxing days and dust free floors.  But it is important to realize that a) those things do not happen without work and b) I can't do it all and finally c) I will kill myself trying.

There is such an important balance that has to take place within ourselves in regards to dividing our time doing things we "need" to do and "want" to do.  If we only work, we will lose steam and become frustrated and aggravated over time.  It is important to make the time to do things we love and be sure to enjoy our homes.  But too much play and not enough attention on the home can cause things to quickly fall apart and prevent more fun from happening.  I have always struggled with the ability to divide the need to get something done with just kicking my feet up and cuddling in to watch a good movie.  I have had to train myself that good enough is OK, that no home is perfect and that I have to find ways to inject my passions and hobbies into my household chores.  Why was I trying to be it all and do it all?  There is no enjoyment in that.  The goal is to organize to save time and money and then spend the rest of my time enjoying life.

So now each year I think of a few things that would make our lives run a bit smoother, and focus on those items first.  Writing this blog has really helped me plow through more and more each year than I ever would have in the past, which I am super grateful for.  And although I personally do heart to organize and would also call it a bit of a hobby, I know not everyone feels the same way.  Hopefully some of these tips will help you achieve your organizational goals in 2015, regardless of how much time, money and excitement you have to get things done.

1.  Be Specific!


The biggest mistake one can make when resolving to get organized each year, is to resolve to be more organized.  It is extremely important to select specific areas of your life or home that you would like to focus on.  Without sounding like a downer, organizing is not something you can get done in a weekend and then be done with for the remainder of the year.  As your life changes, as the seasons change and even as new items enter your home, it will result in the need for some sort of organization.  So stay aware that it is OK to never be done.

So start small, and select no more than three items that you wish to organize in 2015.  Yep, three.  If you get those done, you can add more, but don't add to your list until you have checked off your top three.  See!  Three is much more achievable than that infinite, general list of just becoming more organized.  You can do it!

If you are having trouble deciding what to focus on because you feel frustrated and unorganized in multiple areas of your life, start with items that will make the biggest, immediate impact on your day-to-day routine.   Ignore the storage room, ignore the junk drawer... select areas that you see and touch frequently.  Think of things that may be costing you the most time and money.  That is where you should begin.

(Still not sure where or how to start?  Check out my post on that subject specifically here.)


2.  Make a Plan!


Now that you have an idea of the three items you are going to focus on this year, write them down!  Keep them in the front of your planner or pinned up on the fridge.  Think about specifics for each project; how much time it will take, how much storage you will need and your budget for the project.  And then write those things down as well.

Select the first item on the list and schedule time on your calendar to work on it.  Take into consideration any help you may also need to schedule; which may include asking a friend to sort with you or having your parents watch the kids while you work.  Add your project schedule to your calendar and do your best to set realistic goals and timelines.




3.  Remember - Less is More!

{via}

People tend to think that baskets and storage bins will solve every organizational problem.  However, the reality is that letting go of items, decluttering, and clearing out spaces of the excess, is where we find the biggest wins.  Every successful organizing project starts with a blank slate, and when half of the items are sent off to the donate pile, you are already better off than you were before the project started.  Now you have less to store, less to rummage through, less in your way each day and more room.  Never purchase storage until the very end of your project, it is one of the last things you should do.  And if you are having trouble letting things go, create a temporary holding cell where things live for a month or two before heading off to your local donation facility. 


4.  Get Excited!


Many people don't tie together the words organizing and exciting, but there are many ways to get yourself a little more stoked about your upcoming project:
  • Think about organizing projects you have already accomplished and remember their impact.  Celebrate what you know you can do.
  • Find inspiration!  This is different for everyone, however, common places to look for inspiration are blogs (showing real projects done by real people), Pinterest, magazines, watching a TV show or movie, or even visiting a friend. 
  • Tie in something you are passionate about.  Love to read?  Listen to a book while you sort.  Are you a movie buff?  Turn on Netflix while you work.  Do you love to scrapbook?  Make your own tags and labels.  Avid DIYer?  Build and paint your own storage solutions.  As much as I love to organize, my biggest motivator is finding ways to make it pretty, so that is what I do!
  • Create a reward to strive for.  An ice cream date?  A song download?  A trip to Starbucks?  A relaxing morning off?  Having something special to look forward to at the end is always the icing on the cake.

5.  Problem Solve!

The other night I got this giant itch to do a full house purge.  It stemmed from cleaning out the kitchen, at which point I found things I forgot I had.  Filling three large boxes with items to donate made me realize that if I could fill a few more, then I would have enough to do a spring garage sale.  That excited me to go through the entire house to find things to sell and get rid of.  I went through closets, drawers, storage spaces and bins.  I was on a purging spree, I was being ruthless, I was questioning everything I touched and it was feeling amazing!

This process didn't cost me anything more than my time.  My spaces instantly looked and felt bigger and more organized, just because I removed so many items.  I didn't proceed to go purchase storage or replace those items.  I was just happy letting go.  There is something very freeing about it. 

So where does problem solving come in?  The thing that tends to take me by surprise over and over again, is that I am always able to find things to purge.  So this time, I looked at the items in the pile and I really assessed the reasons that they were not working for me any longer.  Of course, some things just didn't fit our lifestyle any longer or were items that the boys had outgrown.  Our style evolves and certain furniture and clothing items no longer made sense.  And then there are the things that were purchased impulsively.  The items that were never returned to the store even though I had no intention on keeping them.  There were things that didn't fit any longer or were looking old and worn.  Some items were purchased because they were "trendy" at the time yet no longer felt appealing.  Some things were gifted to me and some items I was trying really hard to make work for us and they just weren't.  If I hadn't seen it, used it, or touched it within the last few months, into the boxes it went.  And as much as purging feels freeing and exciting, it can also be a wake up call and make your stomach ill thinking about the waste.  Taking time to reflect on the items you are touching is an important part of the organizing process that many of us often overlook.  I will raise my hand as being guilty of that.

Part of my problem solving led to creating my organizational resolution for 2015.  I want to prevent these types of full house purges from happening in the future.   I know some purging is always necessary and unavoidable.  But some could definitely have been prevented.

My goal this year is to stop shopping at Target (again).  I realized that a lot of the items I was OK letting go of, were items purchased at Target or big box retailers.  I would purchase an item impulsively (because seriously Target's new home lines always suck me in) and eventually I would tire of the item because I would begin seeing the same stuff over and over on my favorite blogs.  The same vases and candle holders.  The same pillows and rugs.  I know this is the nature of the beast with what we do, but I really want a home that is unique to my family and reflects our style.  I also want a home containing things we want to enjoy for long periods of time and that have special meaning.  I don't want a home filled with things I don't feel sad about donating or selling.  So to prevent those items from entering my home, my resolution is to find new places to do my grocery shopping and home decor browsing (where I can't decide at the last minute that I am madly in love with a tealight holder).  Give me the strength to stay away from the big red bullseye.  This won't be easy.

I also created a list of items I am NOT allowed to purchase in 2015 (pillow forms, picture frames, pens, lotions, decorative boxes...) because I already have enough on hand to get me through the year.  This may seem silly, but sometimes a good reminder is in order.  There were specific themes I found while analyzing my purged items.

Finally, I am going to avoid shopping online.  The internet is a prime way to be impulsive because it is just so easy to click a single purchase button without leaving the comforts of your home.  But then when things show up at the door and don't fit, look right or the quality is not there, it requires work to return those things.  And that is what happens to me more often than I would like to admit.  The quality is not what I would expect and then I am left disappointed and working to get rid of it.  It would be much better for me to head out, explore new places and physically touch and try things out before bringing them into our home.

So aside from a few personal resolutions, my biggest organizational resolution this year is to be much more intentional with the items I am allowing to enter my home.  To have less purging sessions  because I was able to make better choices the first time around.  To explore multiple options prior to selecting a piece of furniture or even a new blouse.  To take my time and not rush on purchases for the sake of finishing a project, a room or getting a post done for the blog.  


Now that I have spilled my goals, I would love to hear yours!  Did you make a resolution to be more organized in 2015?  What is the first project you plan to tackle? 

84 comments:

  1. Fantastic informations! Thank you!

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  2. Great recommendations! It is so true that you have to be specific with any goals you set yourself. I have just started using an app that evaluates wether I have achieved a goal daily or not. It is a great reminder that way!

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  3. May I know what planner is that? It seems lovely and I want to check it out. Great post <3 xo

    http://www.kinikunormal.blogspot.com/

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    1. Marsya,

      The planner is a printable I created and sell in my Etsy shop. You can find all the details here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/p/2015-daily-planner-faqs.html

      Thank you!
      Jen

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    2. Hi Jen! I absolutely love your blog and have referenced it for many things. I know you use the MS Discbound Notebook but what 3 ring notebook do you use in pic #2 ? Is it one from Target or the Russell+Hazel?

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  4. Great post! I have decided to simplify life in 2015 and stay organised too.
    I've broken up projects according to rooms in our house - a great place to start x

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  5. Great advice in there amongst your goals. Good luck with staying strong against the lure of Target! I hope you discover some beautiful new places to shop!
    http://www.sweetwordsprettypictures.com

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  6. Good for you Jen! You always motivate me with your projects! I think you have some wonderful resolutions here!! Happy New Year!

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  7. I dont think i could love this post anymore! I got the itch to purge the other day (i swear its the new year!!) and i could not believe how much CRAP we have in our house. There are Christmas presents my kids still havent opened because we have so much stuff. I am refusing to buy my kids any of those little toys they just "had to have" when we are at the shops (this will be helpful because my "baby" starts school this year and he is mostly the culprit!) because i swear they just get thrown out anyway. I love love love purging and im so glad to hear that even someone as organized as you still purges and lets crap into their home :)

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  8. Thank you for this! I've been reading for a while and just bought your 2015 planner because I'm really feeling the urge this year to step back and make things and systems work with our life, not the other way around. My family lives overseas where we run a non-profit and we just started a major construction/development project that will result in moving the entire organization to a new site, our home included. Going into this year I already know there will be a lot going on, and I want to put pieces in place that will hopefully allow for lower stress in some area while we deal with higher stress in others. At the same time, because we're planning for a big move I'm very mindful of the fact that any work we do now of de cluttering and simplifying will only benefit us when moving day comes. I've been feeling overwhelmed with all the ideas and goals running around in my head, so this was incredibly helpful! I have a feeling I'll be reading it a few times. Happy New Year!

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  9. Haha! I just wrote a post about getting organised in 2015. I love your goals. I can't wait to use some of your amazing home organisation tips when we move into our new home this year :-)

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  10. I love the idea of being intentional with what you bring in your home! It gives a clear vision of your style and makes it clear your needs vs your wants! Love this!

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  11. I love this!! I have mny of the same goals as you, and I also have a years supply of pens and pencils! Very inspiring. Keep it up!!

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  12. After spending the day with the family in our basement and purging and giving away an insane amount of STUFF, this is also the year of NO STUFF for us. I never really feel like I buy that much stuff, but it's everywhere in our house, so somewhere along the way I'm buying it! I will be avoiding Target this year as well. I really only go there when I need toilet paper and paper towels, yet somehow spend $150 every time I go!
    I also am not allowed to buy any more bins. I have a bin addiction. I go through various bin phases and see new bins and decide to swap out bins. And after our big purge yesterday I have many empty bins.
    I love your blog! Happy New Year!

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  13. After my house purge just before the new year, i was also astounded at the amount of stuff we had to donate/sell from our clean and organized home. I also began thinking about the number of hours spent accumulating this stuff, much of it also from Target :) One of our family goals for 2015 is to focus on experiences rather than things.

    Happy New Year!

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    1. Love that Deanna! That was our approach to Christmas with the kids this year. They received experiences and memories as gifts (vs. toys) and it has already been a wonderful start to 2015!

      Happy New Year!

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  14. Such a great post! One of my big resolutions is to only shop with a list. I made a list of everything that's actually needed for myself, for the house, etc and if I'm tempted to buy something I can only get it if it's on the list. I do shop online but I no longer buy things right away - I pin them, think about it and come back to it!

    Annie x

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    1. Great idea Annie! I have been doing the same with the pinning. It is always interesting for me to look back on my boards and realize what I still love and what I am glad I never actually purchased. xoxo!

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  15. Hey Jen, just wanted you to know that you are my everyday inspiration, I love your blog so much! Thank you for everything! XXX

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  16. Great advice in this post! I think I can benefit from "not buying stuff I don't absolutely need" as well.
    My goal for 2015 is based on the concept of room. Room to breath, room to live, room to create.
    In order for this to happen I plan on keeping 1 day in the week appointment free. I can go out and do things, but it can't be planned in advance. This will give me time to do all the things I love such as spending time with my boyfriend and family, reading, sewing... but also time to keep my house + life organised.
    Thanks for sharing your goals!

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    1. Such a great plan! I would love and try to do the same, I always get so excited when a day in my planner is wide open!

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  17. This is great. Good luck on achieving your goals. My organizing goals include waiting one week to buy anything (that is not a necessity) so no impulse purchases, and having less items on top of tables, cabinets, consoles, and shelves. Basically, I need to declutter, store away the important things, and have less. I am thankful that I have MORE THAN ENOUGH,

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  18. This is something I definitely need to do! So much clutter, everywhere. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. Love the tips! I'm trying to get more organized in 2015 so I'm adding you to my Pinterest board to help with that.
    Thank you!

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  20. I completely agree with you! Whenever I do a home purge, I feel good but kinda guilty that I spent so much money on items that I no longer want or need. I need to really study items a bit more before I decide to buy. Thank you for the worksheet! I will be using it.

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  21. I am with you about intentional spending! Last year I made myself stop going to thrift stores. I did not need one more transferware plate, or piece of Mexican glassware, or another basket that was a bargain but didn't end up fitting anywhere. I'll be stalking your blog all day, because I'm in full-on purge and organize mode right now :) But I also love your idea of the top three projects, and ours are biggies. Thanks for the encouragement! xo, Andrea

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    1. Thrift stores is another one I hope to be careful of and have on my mind. I always hear that the best way to find the good stuff at thrift stores is to stop in and scour the shelves frequently, so then I find myself going when I don't necessarily need anything. Enough is enough I say! :) Best of luck and happy 2015!

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  22. Thanks for this great article. You have expressed my thoughts very succinctly! My first and biggest project of 2015 is to organize my needlework materials, which have totally gotten out of control. I know I will be very happy when I can find everything (and stop buying duplicates because I can't!). So, I am spending this long holiday weekend inventorying threads, projects, charts, books, and fabrics. What fun to play with my toys! Thanks for the daily inspiration.

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  23. I also agree with not bringing things into your home that you don't love! I am going to tackle my craft drawers and art cupboard this year.

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  24. Reading one of your blog posts always gets me excited to see what I can improve upon. Because I am much older than most of you, I do a little declutter and organizing pretty regularly. This morning, as I was putting away the Christmas decorations, I discarded some that have been unused and reorganized and labeled the rest. I am entering the contents of each bin in Evernote because the older you get, the more "full" your brain gets and the longer it takes to sort through to find what you want. Only time will tell how well this works. Fortunately I have your blog posts to re-excite me each day and and help me keep at the task.

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  25. I love the suggestion for being specific about the area you want to organize. It's overwhelming to think of organizing *everything*, to the point that I'd just shut down and not do it at all! I think this year I'll start with my teacher's desk, although that's a work in progress...lol :)

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  26. I love this post!

    Some great advice to follow! Some great goals which I am sure you will achieve. I know the feeling of being sucked in at target that big red bullet is dangerously addictive! I love there stuff as well. I have tons of home projects that I'd like to achieve this year to start loving my house (it's a rental). My goal is to do project by project slowly and inexpensively, finding new and creative ways to get them done. I have a lot of personal, blogging and business goals as well :)

    Thanks so much for sharing your awesome advice and goals! Look forward to hearing and seeing much in 2015!

    Lauren|LB Designs
    xx

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  27. Love this post. My problem is that I think of a project and want it done that day...not always manageable, and then I get frustrated and disappointed. I think the long-term goal will help :) Thanks for the advice!
    Stephanie
    Tales of Teaching in Heels

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  28. I've been reading your blog for a while now. I am a natural organizer and love the feeling you get with purging! However, nobody else in my family has that same gene! I've already helped my sister immensely, but my mom was a tougher subject. I've spent the past 3 years wearing her down with mini-organizational projects.

    This year, I have finally convinced her to start tackling our biggest, disorganized mess: the furnace room (something that has been a point of a ton of stress for her). She's always worked 40+ hours a week and still managed to do everything for her family, so there are boxes upon boxes from the last 25 years of her life! I'm taking all that I have learned from your blog and passing it on to my mom. It's been 5 pretty long days since we started this massive overhaul, and our basement is looking scarier and more cluttered by the minute! We aren't even halfway through, but I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel!

    I can't wait to see your organizational endeavors this year, especially when I'm completely buried in the furnace room and looking for some inspiration!

    Jenny

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    1. I love this and YOU CAN DO IT! I know from experience that those areas are not the most fun to organize, but boy does it feel AMAZING when you are done! And the fact that it looks worse before it gets better, is a good sign that you are making progress! Kudos Jenny!

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  29. Jen, this post would be exhibit A in my explanation of why I heart you. You inspire me, you make organizing practical and do-able without it becoming overwhelming, yet you are honest and real while cheering us on to greater organizing heights...and the pretty is always a priority. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Several years ago I did a deep purge of the whole house. Every shelf, every drawer, every closet, every space was purged, cleaned, organized. You're right, though, it is an ongoing process. I long to do it again, but just thinking of it now overwhelms me. I appreciate your suggestion to finding the top three spaces to organize this year. That brings my pulse and breathing back to normal rates. The last three years I have broken down my yearly goals into quarters. For example, what goal is achievable in the first three months of the year? If I want to lose weight, say 25 pounds, is it realistic to achieve that by the end of March? Probably not. But a 12 pound loss is much more do-able while still challenging me. Then the next quarter, April thru June, I can work on the next 13 pounds. So I can apply that same thinking to my organizing goals. duh, I think I would've made that connection before now. :)

    Anyways, thanks, again, Jen, for what you do here every day. You are appreciated more than you know. Have a very happy and blessed new year!

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    1. I love your method for breaking down your goals! It is so important to be realistic and be sure to celebrate successes of all magnitudes! Thank YOU for your sweetness Melanie, and happy 2015!

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  30. Love this post, thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!

    www.endlesshouseaffair.com

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  31. This is so perfect! I tell myself pretty much every year that I'm going to be better about organizing, and then nothing gets done because I'm too overwhelmed to start. I'm really glad I read this because it's giving me the push I need to pick a room (literally, any room!) and get started.
    The bit about not buying any organizational stuff until the end was really helpful for me. I was about to open the closet door, see what was in there that needed to be organized, and then go out and buy bins and baskets first. I see now that I really should empty the closet and purge first. Totally makes sense.
    Thanks again! I'm excited to get started!

    Runt
    runtspickins@yahoo.com
    www.runtspickins.wordpress.com
    (If responding, please email or comment a blog post of mine.)

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  32. Your thoughts under #5 really have me thinking. About Target (YES... ours is ONE mile away), about shopping online, etc. As I also resolve to get more organized every year, I realize that the *biggest* battle is just not having too much crap in the first place. With 4 kids, it will always be a battle but I am always resolved to have only the things we love and that are meaningful. And of decent quality as well. Thank you for this post - great reminders!

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  33. Thank you for this wonderful post full of so much wonderful advice. I think it's a great idea to start small with your organizing plan, because it is overwhelming if your goal is the whole house. I also like that you paid attention to the things you were getting rid of, so you don't buy those things again. Great tips I will start using.

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  34. Thanks for this great post! My biggest problem in decluttering is getting rid of gifts that I don't want and don't use. Somehow I feel guilty. But this year I'm going to try to find a way to deal with those items.

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    1. I have felt the same guilt (and felt even worse when a relative once noticed something they gifted me in my donate pile, talk about embarrassing). However, try and celebrate that the item may be something special to someone else who does need/want it once it is donated. Also feel excited about the space and time you will gain for letting go. You can do it! :)

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  35. Honestly, my problem is making decisions! We need to overhaul our “piano/toy” room in preparation for the toddler we are adopting and I have the hardest time making decisions about how I should arrange the room. Who has a piano in the middle of their toy room? Yeah, I didn’t think so...

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    1. We have a piano in our toy room, which is also my sewing room. It can work!

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    2. I would love to have a piano in our home someday! I think the playroom is the perfect spot for it, fingers crossed you find some harmony and can make it work ;)

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  36. Great post - thank you! My 2 goals are:
    1 - organize for 15 minutes every day
    2 - sell the items I'm purging on my local Facebook virtual yard sale!

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  37. Being organised is definitely something I need to do! Especially before I go back to uni and get overloaded with a thousand more pieces of paper!
    Please have a read of my new blog, and let me know what you think! www.astageinmylife.wordpress.com
    xo

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  38. Love what you shared today! Perfect for what I am currently participating in - The 21-day Clutter Free Challenge at: http://www.kathilipp.com/clutter-free-21-day-challenge and I'm also, helping author, Kathi Lipp launch her book, Clutter Free.
    I enjoy your blog and thanks for inspiring the rest of us!

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  39. Great post! I like the three things idea, as well as purging. It is hard to get rid of certain items due to guilt (I.e. MIL passed them on to me because SHE couldn't let them go). My three things are topped by MAIL and PAPER clutter. Ugh. Thanks for cuing the focus button! I love Target too and have to stay out of there for the same reasons.

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  40. amen! my hubby and i just did the same thing in our house! we emptied our kids rooms (it was his idea, and he did most of it!!) all but some books and a few stuffed animals. They actually love it because it is so much more manageable, and peaceful. I also packed away all their Christmas stuff because it was spread out all over the house! They will get it back a little at a time.
    I am interested in hearing about what kind of experiences/memories you shared with your kids this year because truly, that's what its all about and i would love to do more of that!!
    Thanks for the inspiration!!! happy purging! :-)

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    1. Hi Amy!

      The main gift we gave the boys this year was a trip to the Children's Theater to see The Grinch. We took them to dinner before and it was a great night out as a family. We also gave them time at our local indoor trampoline park. Finally, they each received card and dice games, and we started a tradition of taking them to a local coffee shop for game and cocoa nights. Santa rounded things off with some fishing gear for each boy. This is our year of unplugging and making more memories. :)

      Happy New Year!

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  41. Great post! Good "meaty" content - thanks!

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  42. Well said & inspiring to all of us who love your blog. I learned years ago to divide goals into small pieces. If I readily accomplish 1 piece, I can always go onto the next 1 'early'. It keeps the frustration level low, working toward a goal in small increments. Even my yard work is divided into sections of my big yard. Happy new year!

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  43. This post was excellent motivation! I'm going to start with our drop zone in the kitchen... I just can't seem to get a handle on all the coupons, flyers, receipts,etc that come in and never seem to leave the counter. Let's do this!

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  44. Good morning- I am really keen to find out were you got your mail sorter etc? (Picture one - be specific) xx

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    1. It looks like the one PotteryBarn sells. Great system!

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    2. Thanks - I live in SA so looking for a closer picture to copy xx

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    3. Thank you Darcy, you are correct! It is the White Daily System from Pottery Barn. Purchased it many years ago now and still love it like crazy!

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  45. What great and inspiring decluttering advice! I enjoy your blog. I shared this particular one with my Facebook group. We are helping launch a book called Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp and doing a 12-day Clutter Free challenge. They are liking your blog. I wanted you to know how spot on your remarks are and how they fit with all that we are doing. The process of thinking through before buying is fantastic since that is where most of my clutter besides paper comes from. I hope you don't mind my talking about my friend's book on your blog. She commented that your blog is a great resource. Thank you for keeping us organized! Happy New Year!

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  46. Great post! So helpful and inspiring... Thank you!

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  47. I feel the same way.....I love organizing and planning, thanks for sharing

    ~Be Sweet
    Christina at
    SWEET HAUTE
    sweethaute.blogspot.com

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  48. I love this post! I call Target the "$100 store" because it seems like every time I go in, I spend $100! My goal is to quit buying junk at the dollar store. Just because it's only $1 doesn't mean I should buy it!

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  49. My goal is to FINISH (meaning paint, trim, etc) the massive remodel of our living spaces. We always seem to get the major parts done, but little things, like finishing the drywall and getting it painted, can sit undone for months (or years, if I'm being honest). I want to FINISH one project before moving onto the next. Your idea of being specific has really inspired me to write a list of all the big AND little things that need to be done for each project, and get them ALL checked off.

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  50. I have decided this is the year to declutter. My hubby has wanted me to for a long time. He would just get rid of a ton of my stuff, but unless I am willing to part with it, it will just make me resent having to do it. I am going to do one drawer or cabinet a day since I work a 40+ hour week. I am going to pick the top three areas that need it the most and go from there.

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  51. Thanks for this great post! Online shopping is for sure one of my resolutions for this year as well as thinking about more creative ways to spend time with my daughter and my husband. I also love your idea about being more intentional about items I am bringing into my home. Totally adding this to my list! Thanks for all of your great ideas.

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  52. My word of the year for 2015 is "intention." I definitely plan to apply it to organization, as I am more intentional with what I purchase, including the home decor items I bring into my home, and also with what I take out via purges that are necessary. :) Thanks for sharing your goals and ideas, I need to write goals down and be more specific!

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  53. My first project of this year is to go thru, purge/sort and find new storage options for my sewing, craft, and art supplies. They are housed in a bedroom/bonus room. My kids broke a big section of a wire drawer shelving unit that housed all my things. Happened during a birthday party at my house. Things have sat in the wire drawers, stacked in piles for 3 weeks. I couldn't take it any more. I am being very specific about what I am looking for, and actually have to return a couple things I thought would work but aren't. I even went again with my specific zones & what needs to be grouped together and have left empty handed because I couldn't find something during my allotted time(had an appointment to get to after). I figure, if I have to redo the storage that it may as well be #1)what I like, and #2) visually appealing so I don't have to do this all over again. Oh, and trying to re-purpose items around the house so I don't have to buy as much. Hubby doesn't care so much for the 2nd requirement of mine, but I need to look at something and feel something more than "eh" about it. I love thinking outside the box. Found a cotton ball/q-tip acrylic container, in the bathroom department of a store, which now house buttons.

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  54. Great post and so glad to have found your blog. I will be sahring quite a few of your posts on my Twitter feed this month. :) Thanks for such great content!

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  55. Wow! What a great blog! I must admit, I actually fell in love with it! I really enjoy organizing and planning things out. I'll be sure to stay in touch!

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  56. Great post! (And blog too!) I just love inspiring blogs like these! Other great blogs like this one that I also found were: http://orgjunkie.com and urcrazylife.blogspot.com. I will be sure to also add this one to my favorites list too!

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  57. I have a similar goal this year. I am trying to be a more conscious and responsible consumer. One of my plans is to try to stop buying as much home decor. It is a weakness for me too and all too often I get tied of it and off it goes to be donated to charity. I want a unique decor and seem drawn to a slightly 70's look. This has allowed me to find some great thrifted items and also gives my home an original look. Good luck with your goals. They sound like really great specific ones. :)

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  58. Great post, very timely too! Online shopping is a double-edged sword; I put things in my shopping cart and let them sit for a day or a few days. Its often just the cooling-off period I need to re-think if I really need those items. This will be my fourth year of being on an Amazon diet (your equivalent of a Target diet). I did a ruthless purge over the holidays, and in looking at the purged items, I realized that (expired) packaged food (snacks/junk) constituted a majority of what I ended up tossing. As a result, I realized we really don't consume chips/packaged snacks as a family. This year, I'm going to buy individual serving sizes of some crackers/chips for the kids' lunches every so often, not the larger bags. I am an all-or-nothing kind of person, so I went on a clothes-buying diet last year and didn't buy anything until Thanksgiving. I also have a self-imposed 75 hanger limit, so I purged a few items (which I should have purged a while back anyway) and hung my handful of new purchases on there. I'm going to continue the clothes-diet this year -- it really made me intentional (I liked your use of that word) about my few clothing purchases last year. Happy New Year, Jen.
    Tara.

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  59. Thank you for this blog is so revealing.

    My husband and I realized that we have a problem in our shoe storage department, we have a corner table in our master for that purpose and it doesn't work out and our first goal is to get rid of it and make a better place for our shoes.

    http://lacasitaesquina.blogspot.mx/

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  60. I have the opposite problem when it comes to intentional shopping. I get so caught up in trying to find the perfect item that I can't make a decision, and I end up with nothing. I have rooms needing end tables, which will in turn need lamps, which will shine light on walls that need artwork... I am hoping to finally make some decisions this year!

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  61. Great tips! My first organizational project is to tackle my makeup/skincare organization. I have way too many products that I just am not going to use and I really need to find a more functional storage unit so I can actually access all of my products.

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  62. I have a long list of things I am not allowed to buy either. Realized we have too much excess of too many different things! I don't think I could give up all of Target but there are definite parts of the store (and ad) I just completely stay away from!

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  63. Excellent post! I have a question for the group. I have a problem with purchasing too much of everything, even good things like shampoo and cleaners. My cleaning closet is so full with half used cleaning solution promising to be the next miracle yet I always go back to my few favorites leaving 1/2 used bottles behind. Sometimes I'll like something so much that I'll refuse to use it because I don't want to "waste" it and it will end up going bad instead. Right now I probably have 10 bottles of Wen shampoo in my cupboard. I just have too much of everything! I am resolving this very minute that I will not have more than 1 plus one replacement of any cleaning product in my house! I will not buy anymore shampoo until all of these are gone. I will limit my scrapbook paper to one bin. I will reduce my picture frame supply by 50%! If I can do this much it will be a great start!

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  64. This is great! I am putting myself on a Target shopping freeze again too, way too much of my salary goes there. I love the idea of making a list of items you are not buying this year, I think I may steal that one!! Happy New Year!!

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  65. You've inspired me, time to start organising the place and try to keep it that way for the year.

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  66. Hi Jen!

    I wanted to let you know that I LOVE you blog. I'm featuring this post on my blog on 2/9 to hopefully share some of your insight with my readers.

    Thanks for all your inspiration.

    Darlene

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