organization, please help!!!!!?

Question

my life is a clutter......it ruined a 3 yr relationship, i guess im not the most kept person/ ive been living with my family for 2 wks and my mom is getting very irritated with me. ive down-sized all of my belongings, but i still have things. i want to be organized and more kept. i know this is disrupting my familys life, my clutter! any ideas.....for the best materials to store things in, but that doesnt take up much space???? any ideas/techniques are very appreciated.


thanx

Answer 1

the best thing to do is pick things up as soon as you are done using them...

I know it sounds harsh but, you may have to downsize further...keeping only the strictest essentials...it sounds easier said than done, I know...you may find that being free of all non essential stuff can be very freeing...

I see that you have said that the clutter issue is affecting your relationships...it may be worth exploring this "need" for clutter in your life with some sort of counsellor or life coach...I wish you all the best, Good Luck!

Answer 2

Oh boy! I remember feeling this desperate. All of the advice given to you so far is right-on. But I wanted to share with you what was the most helpful thing to get me started. You have to forgive yourself. Yes, that's right, FORGIVE yourself. The guilt will paralize you. It is not your fault you (we) are the way you (we) are, and it is a sign of great character to A) have identified the problem and B) have the will to do something about it. You should start by giving yourself a big huge pat in the back and say "I know I can do this".

Your life did not get messy overnight and it will not get clean overnight either. But it does get incrementally better. Once you give yourself permission to get rid of the first few things you no longer use it becomes easier and easier. I just tossed some homework papers I had been collecting and carrying around with me since I was 10!!! I AM 35!!!! But once that was done, it was easier to get rid of other things I no longer needed.

When faced with a hard choice ask yourself the following:
Do I need this? Do I think keeping this is helping me hold on to someone/something/a memory? Do I have other things (like pictures) to help me remember without having to hold on to this? (up to 4 bins of baby clothes in my case) Can this make someone else happy? Can a family in need use this? If it is an object I love, do I love and respect it by having it displayed and clean? If not, maybe it is time to let it go and make space for your FUTURE LIFE that the clutter is taking up.

Do not begin by buying more things to store things. All you need to start is a bag for TRASH and bag for GIVE AWAY. Then you can look at the pile you have left, the space you have to store it, and the containers you already have with you. Sort things by kind, (clothes: t-shirts with t-shirts, etc) and play a little geometry game with the space you have left.

Do visit FLYLADY.NET. She will show you the way.

Sorry to ramble. I can feel the pain you're feeling and I can't wait for you to feel free. Keep us posted on your progress!

Answer 3

I agree with the others who reccommend www.flylady.net

I have been "flying" for five years now on and off and it has made a world of difference in my life. From CHAOS to calm.

I'll start you with a flylady tip. Set a timer for 15 minutes and tackle one thing...do it for 15 minutes and stop. See how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes.

I can tell you about great containers and ways to store "things" but is that really the problem..or is it not being able to let go of things? The only things you should have around you are things you love and need. When you are only surrounded by those things..your life and home doesn't feel cluttered and chaotic anymore.

Ok..another tip...grab a plastic bag and go around and collect 27 things to toss (27 fling boogie). Just do it..don't think about it..set the timer..if you have to.

We have a group on Yahoo! - search the groups directory for

flyingmaritimers

It is mostly Maritime Canadians but anyone is welcome to join for chat and "Fly" support. It is an active supportive list.

Let's get you on a happier healthier path..15 minutes at a time..

toodles

HeatherM

Answer 4

If you're living with some one else, the only things you should have out are your daily necessities. (clothes for this season, etc.) Everything else should be packed up into totes and labeled. (You can use boxes if you don't have the money to get totes). Just pack it all up and put in basement, garage or under the bed. Keep out ONLY the things you use everyday since you've been there. If you REALLY need something else, you can just go pull it back out. :)

Answer 5

Try this website - Fly Lady: http://www.flylady.com/

It's got great tips for de-cluttering your life one step at a time. They even have an e-mail service where they'll send you reminders of things you need to do at different times of the day.

Good luck!

Answer 6

At least your ready to change!! Everybody has their own way
of organizing things, just dig in and start sorting and get rid
of as many things as you can. If you have clothes you don't
like or if you haven worn it in a year or two get rid of it. If you
have makeup you don't wear pitch it etc.

Happy cleaning the end results will be very rewarding for
everybody.

Answer 7

as far as materials that don't take up much space, those Rubbermaid containers come to mind. you can pick them up dirt-cheap at target (less than five bucks per i believe). they can be used in SO many ways -- as a laundry hamper, as storage -- they are also easily stack able and can be put out of the way. did i mention that they are pretty much indestructible? also, you can store them in the basement without fear of a basement flood as they are waterproof to a T. good luck with your Flying - I'm still a fly baby myself.

fluttering in Detroit,

sofo :)

Answer 8

The best thing that ever helped me? www.flylady.net It's a life saver and life changer :) Good luck!

Answer 9

go seek help counsling read self help books