The Key to Finding Balance and Getting Organized

When you are responsible for taking care of others — whether it be at work, at home, or both ― then taking care of YOU can become a low, maybe even non-existent, priority.

Women, in particular, feel incredibly off-kilter when this occurs, but men are also not immune to self-neglect and its repercussions.

Here's what I mean...

- You're working more hours, so that's less time for exercise. You gain a few pounds, and your pants are fitting tightly...and you feel blah.

- You're juggling lots of responsibilities, so that's less time for planning. You've put off your hair appointment 3 times, and your roots are scary-looking at best...and you feel blah.

-You're on-the-go from morning to night, so that's less time for your mind to rest. You keep forgetting things, most recently your best friend's birthday...and you feel blah.

I could go on with examples, but the "blah" feeling is your gut telling you that you're off-balance. Something in your life is not quite right.

Avoiding self-care, for whatever reason, is destructive, and it takes a huge toll on your mind, body, and soul. As Jack Kornfield once explained, “When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with...ourselves.” And that’s never a good thing!

It's time to stop the self-neglect! This week, begin your journey back to balance by making an appointment that you really need. Whether it’s to see your health care provider or to see your facialist, hairdresser, barber, masseuse, manicurist, chiropractor — do whatever you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make you feel good, inside and out.

The bottom line is: The most important thing you can do to find balance and get organized is take care of yourself.

Find out how you can get more small, manageable steps to a more organized you, visit: http://www.organizeclutterbugs.com/moreorganizedyou.html

© 2009 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com

Recycled, Reused, and Repurposed Organizers

I love it when I discover *fresh* organizing ideas! Especially when they allow you to reuse the stuff you already have in your home to help you get organized.

Case in point...BHG's Clever Storage Solutions You'd Never Expect. There are 19 "unexpected organizers" in this feature, and here are my top 3 faves...


#1 Forks as Storage Solutions

For a unique and organized display, attach decorative vintage forks to the wall to hold tickets, receipts, and business cards.

#2 Shutter to Declutter

An old discarded shutter is a perfect family communications center. Replace the top slats with corkboard and sort mail in the bottom slats.


#3 Unique Coat Rack

Mounted hangers serve as a unique coat rack for easy entryway organization. Attach sawed-off wooden hangers to a board by screwing them in through the back. Add heavy-duty picture hangers to the back of the board for mounting on the wall. Throw hats on top and hang purses and coats on the hangers' hooks.


Looking for more ways to recycle, reuse, and repurpose your way to an organized home? Check out Cheap Organizers.

Note: Above information and graphics are courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.

You Resolved to Get Organized...Now What?

So you recently made a New Year's Resolution "to get organized." Well, you're in good company! Organization is always a popular top 10 resolution every year.

But now that you've set the organizing goal, how do you successfully negotiate the ins and outs of accomplishing it? Here are 4 tips to do just that.


(1) Have a plan.

Don't say: My goal is to get organized.

Do say: I want to better manage my time. -Or- I want to tidy up my closet. -Or- I want to organize my estate.

Speaking in generalities leads to doing in generalities. In other words, if you don't have decisive organizing goals, you won't get decisive organizing results. Take the time to make a plan...you'll be glad you put in the extra effort in the end.

(2) Make a schedule.

Don't say: I know what I want to do, and I'll get to it when I have time.

Do say: I know what I want to do, and I need to make a schedule of when to do it.

If you treat your organizing sessions like a regular appointment, you're more likely to take it seriously and follow through with your plan.


(3) Focus.

Don't say: This week, I'm going to overhaul my kitchen, organize my files, get ready for taxes, clean out my closet, update my address book, re-do my schedule...

Do say: This week, I'm going to organize my tax-related files.

If you try to take on too many organizing projects, you will surely fail. Focus on one task, and one task only, until it's complete. And let that success, as little or big as it may be, propel you onward.


(4) Have a positive attitude.

Don't say: Man, this is gonna be hard! I don't know if I can...

Do say: What a challenge! I'm gonna do this and come out the other side a better person for it.

As Thomas Jefferson put it: "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on Earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Your thoughts channel real power to help you achieve your organizing milestones -- so think positively, and put those brain bytes to good use!



© 2010 Clutterbugs, LLC

Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website or blog? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Carmen Coker is a professional organizer who helps individuals find the motivation and know-how to get organized and stay organized. To learn how to save money, create more space, and manage your time through organization, claim your "FREE Tip Kit: 10+ Pages of Tips and Tools to Help You Get Organized — Finally!" at www.OrganizeClutterbugs.com