Today I challenged myself to take a look at some of my own and here’s what I found: empty grocery sacks, jars of food on the counter, party décor, travel items, two Thank You notes to write. I have so many important things that need to be done but first I decided that, before sitting down amongst all this eye- and mind-clutter, I would clear my space.
First it’s the grocery sacks. I went to the store early this morning and, after emptying the canvas bags, left them near my front door. It only takes a second and they are back out in the car where they belong (with the other one that was sitting there).
Next, the jar of olives on the counter. I was excited to find this bargain. Last week. But I’m not using them in a recipe this week and, although I love olives, I don’t need to look at them every day. So, off to the cupboard they go (along with the 2 jars of homemade jam from my nephew’s wedding that we attended 4 days ago).
Then, the three blue paper party lanterns hanging in the kitchen since our last celebration. They look terrific and everyone loved them, but they were bought to help create a party atmosphere and will serve their purpose best when used for special occasions. Besides, I bought them because they are not only festive but also easy to collapse and store!
Now for the bedroom. The dresses (taken out for the wedding trip) hanging in front of my closet, just short of their final destination and the clothes I ironed last night waiting on my ottoman to be hung, all get moved into the closet. The shoes, travel toiletry bag and jewelry, all immediately removed from the suitcase three days ago but not actually returned their homes, get put away.
Finally, I take out a couple of nice blank cards and write out thank you notes – one to the parents of the bride and one to my in-laws for their contribution to a charity I sponsored in the end of July.
Mmmm. This feels good. Things have shaped up nicely. Rooms seem much clearer. Why did I put this stuff off in the first place? Sometimes bothering to bring things almost to their homes and then stopping short, settling for close enough or for putting things on one list only to move them to the next. Some days I look and think I will never have enough time to attend to it all.
But wait. It’s only been an hour. Just an hour? Well, actually less. More like 45 minutes. All these mountainous tasks and bits of clutter that had piled up have taken less than an hour to tackle.
I remind myself of what I already know: all the time I have can be all the time I need if I practice one very simple organizing principle: Do It Now. My resolution: if I can do it now, I will do it. Putting things away as soon as I am done with them has more value than is at first recognizable. It saves me time in the long run, stress, room (in my home and on my to-do list!) and offers me the space and freedom to create and the warm and welcoming atmosphere I want myself and my family to come home to. Why not join me and take a look around – what can you do now?
To contact Annette Reyman for organizing work or speaking engagements in the Greater Philadelphia area call (908) 361-7105 or email her at annettereyman@gmail.com
Annette Reyman is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO®) as well as the Director of Communications and Technology for the NAPO – Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC). Her company’s website can be viewed at www.allrightorganizing.com
