Image via Pascal Champagne
I have a confession to make. I am unorganized.
I’ve known this for some time, but I wasn’t entirely sure I knew why I got this way or how to address the problem. And, to be totally honest, I wasn’t sure I really was all that interested in addressing the problem. But then a few things happened.
Benjamin was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. A part of this means he needs some fairly stringent organization and expectation setting to help his little world normalize. The fallout of that is that he now has a few more appointments to attend to during the week with a variety of therapists. Add that to his school and other activities and, well, CONFUSION.
Leah’s ADHD. She’s doing really well for the most part, but she’s in Fifth Grade now (OMG) and the workload is amping up pretty quickly. She’s going to have to manage (more frequently) larger, long-term projects and start to really utilize calendar and time management skills. And, of course, she’s involved in eight-hundred things from friends to Hebrew School to dance and to, now, Tae Kwon Do. Add this to Benjamin’s calendar? NIGHTMARE.
My memory sucks. A long time ago I was a die-hard Franklin Covey follower. I’ll never forget the lesson taught in one of the first seminars I went to, “Why are you so arrogant to think that you can remember everything? Why do you put that kind of pressure on yourself. WRITE IT DOWN and give yourself permission to ‘forget.’” I seem to have forgotten that lesson – and in my arrogance have forgotten some important and not important things. Not acceptable.
So. I need some tools.
Right about when all this came to a head, the nice folks at Blue Sky reached out to offer me a chance to take a look at their newest products landing at Target as we speak. I’ve not been a paper calendar girl for a long time, but in an informal Facebook and Twitter poll, a LOT of you were rabid paper fans. Even you savvy digital types. Interesting.
Blue Sky developed their Home Series with some serious feedback from moms who gave a sneak peek into their daily lives and provided insight into the organizational solutions they wanted. With a cute design nod from Susy Jack, the products are fresh, cleanly designed and easy to use.
I particularly liked their Home Weekly / Monthly Planner (shown in Warm). There is plenty of room to keep appointments at a monthly glance, but I really like the right side that has a “Do / Call / Buy” running list. When you’re managing multiple projects, it’s nice to see what needs to happen for the whole month and still be able to apply a prioritization system to the tasks.
But sometimes you (or others in the house, ahem) need a little EXTRA reminder before walking out the door. For this sole purpose I LOVE the “Don’t Forget” Door Note Pad. You have no idea how useful this thing is. NO IDEA. (Of course the hardest part still remains actually putting it on the door ahead of time, but WE ARE WORKING ON THAT.
And for you inspirational shoppers and planning types, you’d like the Shopping Notes. Organize what you want (and need) by store. Great for organizing now and next season or next project. Plus it fits so nicely into a purse. (As you scout out your next one!)
Using a paper-based system has been somewhat helpful for me. I’ll never give up my digital solutions, but for now a semi-redundant paper-based one is helping get the household all paddling in the same direction at least. And that’s a win in any book.
And because it’s been so help for me, Blue Sky and I want to help YOU!
GIVEAWAY TIME.
Yes. Just leave a comment stating your #1 organizing focus for the coming months and you’ll be entered to win! It could be anything. Makeup drawer, paperwork, dog toys, that drawer in the kitchen we don’t speak of… you name it. Your secret is safe with us.
Contest ends Friday night, 9pm CST. Good luck!
UPDATED: Congratulations to CLAIRE! You are the winner! Hooray! Watch for an email from me, lovely – and thanks to everyone for playing along!
8. August 2011 at 9:37 am
Since moving into the new house, we’ve managed to organize most everything. Except (there’s always an exception) one countertop in the kitchen that serves as a catchall/staging area. It’s always covered in mail, receipts, phones and chargers, and the detritus of daily life. I’ve got to figure out how to keep that little area neat and organized. Because just looking at it makes my hyperventilate a little.
8. August 2011 at 2:43 pm
OMG WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE COUNTERS, TOO! I have yet to solve that problem. And, oddly enough, my calendar sits on or by this counter. That can’t be good.
8. August 2011 at 10:14 am
Oh how I dream of my study becoming organized. A room that size should be a piece of cake. Not in my case. I could use some help please.
8. August 2011 at 2:43 pm
Likewise here. My study is not very, um, study-like at the moment. Could be the hockey equipment all over the floor. HYPOTHETICALLY.
8. August 2011 at 12:18 pm
I’m 56 and going back to school, that means I will be OUT of the house 4 days of the week, my time is in kaos now, I fear what will happen when school starts, I know I need a SIMPLE planning system that both me and my hubby can use so the household will still run smooth.
8. August 2011 at 2:44 pm
Yay for you! How exciting! And I’m with you- SIMPLE is the name of the game, sister.
8. August 2011 at 3:10 pm
I need to organize my kitchen. I have too much stuff and too little space. I will probably start with the cabinet that holds all of my dishes.
something frugal at yahoo dot com
8. August 2011 at 5:02 pm
We JUST did that here. Seriously ruthless clean out of the kitchen and storage closet (of overflowing kitchen stuff!) — it felt GREAT. It feels good to lighten up a little, you know?
8. August 2011 at 5:44 pm
Have so many things on my list to organize. 2 year old (almost 3) and baby on the way I have lots to do!!
9. August 2011 at 12:04 pm
OMGosh you must be (a) excited and, (b) exhausted!
8. August 2011 at 9:17 pm
I need to learn to keep my fridge organized!
9. August 2011 at 12:05 pm
THIS is one of the hardest things ever. We just got a side by side and I feel like I can never see what I need!
8. August 2011 at 9:32 pm
Almost every part of my house is okay, except my husband’s “office”. It is a WRECK. DVDs, board games, books, computer detritus is everywhere. He keeps saying that he wants to get organized, but he doesn’t know where to start…and it’s such a mess that I don’t know where to start either!
9. August 2011 at 12:06 pm
You know what I’d do? Take everything out of the room. Seriously. It’s a pain in the ass, but then you’ll have a clean slate to work with – and you’ll know EXACTLY what is worth going back in the room. And as you remove things – throw away / donate piles await. Whatever’s left? See how it needs to be organized.
9. August 2011 at 7:04 am
I am getting married in October, and getting that organized is a challenge, but even beyond that, I need to organize the house so that we can get our new stuff in and our old stuff out!
9. August 2011 at 12:07 pm
Ohhh, the combining of The Things… always fun! What an excting year! I love a fall wedding.
9. August 2011 at 11:44 am
I want to create a space for all of us to put our stuff down! A place that is NOT a dining room chair, a section of counter, the island in the kitchen. I want some cool lockers, coat hooks (that are not the island stools), something to make us organized!
9. August 2011 at 12:08 pm
Is it wrong that I drool over a “mudroom” type set up? I wish we had those down here… I’d go all Pottery Barn in that space SO FAST.
9. August 2011 at 4:21 pm
I’m a paper organizer-though sometimes that just means lots and lots of scraps of papers with my lists on them laying around. My number one organizational task is to organize the playroom into a study area for the girls it is a travesty-then their closet, bathroom (hair, accessories, oh my), then their art supplies and projects, then…
9. August 2011 at 5:35 pm
The gameroom upstairs is on the agenda around here this week. I’m almost afraid to open the “art closet”. If you don’t hear from me in a week – you’ll know why. Send help. Or cookies.
9. August 2011 at 5:44 pm
My purse for organizing my work and school life which can be crazy and out of control!
9. August 2011 at 10:22 pm
The bar in my closet fell down in October. I fixed it in December. Most of the clothes that fell that day are still on the floor. I’ve been busy. As soon as I get my grades turned in for summer school, though, I’m going to tackle it!
10. August 2011 at 10:03 pm
Dude! A perfect time for a closet clean-out/overhaul as well! Good luck with school!
10. August 2011 at 12:58 am
Having 2 under 2 keeping organized has become a chore. This would help me organize doctor appointments, play dates, classes, etc.
10. August 2011 at 10:04 pm
Oh, I so get this. You could be my hero today. Wow.
10. August 2011 at 9:17 am
I need to figure out a system to keep all of my work projects organized. I haven’t lost track of anything, but I’d like one system for everything, instead of 4-5 different half-started systems like I do now.
10. August 2011 at 10:06 pm
Ha! I know what you mean – a one stop shop would be so perfect.
10. August 2011 at 11:49 am
My husband and I are recently married and we are trying to get all of things out of storage and go through them. Putting together our home when our tastes are so different has been a challenge.
10. August 2011 at 10:07 pm
Now THAT’s an adventure! Who will win?
10. August 2011 at 6:17 pm
I seriously need to pay some (long overdue) attention to my fridge. I should be taking care of it right now, actually… But I know what I’ll find *eek*
G_Patton@hotmail.com
10. August 2011 at 10:08 pm
Oh, the fridge. It is a beast sometimes. A terrible, terrible beast.
10. August 2011 at 8:18 pm
My #1 organizing priority is my schedule. Right now it’s a bit chaotic! captainliss40(at)gmail(dot)com
10. August 2011 at 10:09 pm
Ha! So much for the idea of a summer break / schedule! LIES. ALL LIES.
12. August 2011 at 12:36 pm
I’d love to organize my shoes! lol
12. August 2011 at 4:37 pm
Now THAT’s a project I can get behind! #moreshoes
12. August 2011 at 12:46 pm
The paper that comes in the mail, and receipts. they seem to take over no matter what I’ve been doing!
12. August 2011 at 4:37 pm
Amen. I’ve “opted out” of the mailers (as best I can), but still… THE PAPER. Oy.
12. August 2011 at 5:55 pm
I have a shed full of old paperwork and kids drawings/schoolwork etc. It’s a complete mess and we are looking to move soon so it’s a disaster in the making!
12. August 2011 at 8:17 pm
Ohhhh, that’s a tough mountain to climb… I don’t envy you on that one…