Getting Organized

Every autumn I get a powerful, almost overwhelming, urge to get organized. (I get the same urge every spring as well, but somehow it's easier to ignore.)

And since I've always been told that getting organized always involves list-making, autumn is the time when I do just that. Lists of things to do, lists of things to buy, lists of things to make, lists of things to keep, lists of things to get rid of ... I'm sure you get the idea. My life becomes a frenzy of list-making.

And many years and lists later, I have gradually come to realize that for me to be truly organized, I actually need to do something with all these lists, since no matter how many lists I make, the organization part never seems to come to fruition.

This year will be different, I think, thanks to some very organized websites devoted to creating order out of chaos.

An interesting place to start is the article Focus on Cleanups by Gary Lockwood. This business of getting organized is apparently more complicated than I suspected, since Mr. Lockwood suggests a couple of exercises that are clearly designed to get us thinking a little deeper about our lives and the messes we live in. Organize and prioritize your projects on paper, and then start to think about which projects (or messes) you can eliminate entirely.

That theme is echoed at How to Get Organized and Stay That Way. Among the expected tips -- begin with a list (what else!), get your equipment in order, create a plan, get rid of junk - this article also suggests you take a good, long look at any high-maintenance possessions you may own, and consider getting rid of them. It also suggests you make sure you look at the maintenance requirements of any product before you purchase.

For general information and advice about organizing your home, Organized Home seems to have something for everyone. Learn how to feed the freezer and clean like a pro to save yourself some time and energy.

North Americans are experiencing more leisure time than ever, yet it seems like we are more time-pressured than ever. And according to A. Japenga, timesickness may be the result. If you think you may be trying to accomplish too much at once, Japenga has a couple of suggestions that may be helpful.

I'll probably never be totally organized - it would go against my nature. But I think if I can manage my time and energy a little better, my leisure time will be something I not only experience, but actually enjoy.

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