In our house we have clutter. Not as bad as some homes because I do stay on top of it, but still it is clutter. Piles start to form on tables, chairs, the top of the piano. Basically any flat surface. Somedays I try to ignore it because I really have other stuff to clean. Eventually I will get to it. Then I look at my desk. Clutter. Books, papers, mail, napkins, receipts…you name it. I stack it because that is easiest at the moment.
Sunday afternoon I spent over 2 hours just clearing off my desk and filing away papers. Yes, I can definitely think of better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. My desk is now clean (for the moment).
Only a picture, card, calendar and laptop are sitting on top. I do have a key and my “I need these close stack” of papers. Everything still has a place on my desk. The other piles of clutter will be dealt with this week on a time management basis. All of my free time cannot be spent cleaning up each week. There are two choices: 1. Get a trash bag and start pitching stuff. 2. Find a place for everything.
So now I have less stuff and a place. Now what? The piles will start again because there is no system.
As I thought and thought about a good system that would work here is what I came up with:
- Grab something everytime I leave the room and put it back.
- Enlist the help of others whose clutter it actually belongs.
- At the end of the day spend 15 min. and grab a laundry basket. Fill it. Then put it away.
- Spend 15 min. 3xs each day picking up.
That is my brainstorming list and my favorite is the enlist help of others. My plan is to have each child starting at age four grab a basket with me at least 3 x’s a day help me pick up the house. The other ways o the list will help remind me to pick up the house, and I will post them or write them in my home management book.
When my house is clean it really helps me to be less stressed and feel more together. Keeping a good hand on all that comes in will help too. If we do not need it then we do not buy it. If I do buy it then something must go.
A clean home has to be maintained…it doesn’t just happen! Follow me on Facebook for resources.
Cheers,
Michelle
You are describing my life, too! I am pretty good at getting everything clean until I look at my desk. I currently have three folders for “papers to file away,” “papers to look through,” and “papers to keep for a little while” (like invitations, etc.) But they are so full that I haven’t been able to add any new papers for them, so the piles just continue. That’s my job for today is to empty out the folders and start fresh. We’ll see if it happens! I also need a place to corral receipts until I input them into our budget.
You are right – I think the key is to do it a bit at a time and then it won’t feel so overwhelming!
The way I look at it is that it did not happen overnight. I found a good system to help with filing at http://www.alifeinbalance.net. Type in tickler file. It was really a great post!
Great tips! I agree. Doing quick clean-ups before naps, before daddy gets home, and before bed really help keep things picked up around here.
The more kids we have it seems to be getting to be a constant pick-up. Have a great day!
This seems very do-able, I’m afraid I would forget. That seems to be the story of my life! Thankfully it’s really only my “desk” area (aka the living room couch) that gets too bad. Other than that we pretty much have a system in place. We’ll see if that stays true as our son gets older and our family grows.
I found you via A Mama’s Story link-up. Have a great day!
My living room couch has the same problem..it is a magnet for stuff! Thanks for reading.
My desk is now clean. Many thanks!
It is such a great feeling!