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To say we are living in the a state of crazy would be an understatement.
For the most part I like to focus on the pretty things we are getting done. Did you see I made a sign?
As opposed to everything else.
Yikes!
But, it is what it is, and I’m not gonna whine about it on the blog.
Instead, I’m going to write really simply, like it happened in a split second in real life, the super simple organization tricks I used just in time to prevent this transitional period in life, that has me feeling a little more like I’m just surviving than actually living like the masses, from taking me over. (How’s that for a run on, grammatically incorrect I’m sure, sentence?)
#1 – Take the time to tackle the little things or they will add up and take over your mind and counter.
Those little things that create piles and collect dust on your washing machine and counter tops and floors.
It’s true, we have a lot of big things going on around here so when the little ones come up they tend to get brushed aside like Kris Humphries. (Boom, Kim Kardashian reference right there.)
But after a few months of brushing we ran out of counter space and I ran out of the mental ability to block it all out anymore so I actually just took an afternoon to tackle the small stuff.
Bike lights (required in Key West), bought over a month ago are finally on the bikes.
Batteries are finally put in the smoke detectors that were installed right when we moved in. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve moved to stinkin’ batteries around the counter.
And the last of the boxes were unpacked. Why, yes, we have lived here almost 5 months, but I had stashed them in a corner, out-of-the-way, so it was no problem … until I kept adding so many items to the little pile I started to trip over it.
I swear, there used to be a path around there. It’s hard to cook dinner when you can’t get to the stove.
Or at least that’s what I’ve been telling Joel. 😉
#2 – Give everything a home, even if the home isn’t permanent, or pretty.
Everyone deserves a junk drawer. I have 2. Junk baskets actually. All those little things that need to happen at some point just not right now get tossed in there and when a basket gets full, I take the time to go through it and throw out the coupons that expired in June.
And our new closet now looks like this …
And everything has a designated spot.
Let’s take a moment to say a prayer that these are not the long-term, final destinations for these items.
But I know exactly where to find everything and it is stashed out-of-the-way. We’re getting creative here while we make the most of living in only about half of a 1300 square foot house.
My clothes are in there because we emptied out the master closet and bathroom so we could get started on demo in there.
“There’s never enough going on around here” seems to be our motto. 🙂
#3 – Make it a game.
I know, I might be 12. But plan a little organization during your favorite tv hour.
Fold all the laundry, or dust every nook and cranny of that room or organize that ever-growing pile of papers while half-heartedly watching the show segments. And then like a crazy woman run around the house putting everything away during the commercials. It’s fun, really. 🙂 And it really is amazing how much we really can accomplish when we make it a goal.
I organized 3 boxes of craft/project supplies in “game mode” by making piles for all like items (adhesives, ribbon, scraps, stencils, paint brushes, fabric, driftwood, projects-in-progress, etc) while sitting on the floor watching Days of Our Lives (don’t judge) and then fit them all puzzle-style into the new closet in baskets and bins that made the best use of the space.
And the bonus tip that I keep reminding myself – it’s just for right now.
So right now I can stop stressing about those little piles every time I move them or trip over them and I can clear my little brain for the big stuff.
Every so often getting a good handle on all of the little stuff really makes the biggest difference.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who has a pile of coupons that expired in June?
Oh, and it’s official … our roof is taking on a new shape this weekend. Who’s nervous excited with me?!?! Today I’m tackling the final demo that I can do on my own and I can’t wait to see myself, and share with you, the difference a few feet of ceiling will make in the entry and living room. If you follow me on Instagram (thespacebetweenblog) you’ve seen some sneak peeks of my demo.
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, there really is nothing we’d rather be doing than giving this old gal some hope of curb appeal, hopefully you get to do exactly what you’d like to be doing as well. 🙂
Carol Hardin says
Karah…that’s great!!! I also love to organize things and in my experience making a routine habit help a lot in home organization. So I have already made my to-do list in which I have described my daily tasks. But seriously I liked your all tips very useful and helpful and I have added them to my list already. Karah…you are really great and thanks a lot for this incredible inspiration.
Karah says
Thank you so much, Carol! I am also a big fan of the to-do list!! Couldn’t live without it!
Traci says
Thanks for reminding me I am not the only one with piles and junk drawers filled to the top. I spent part to Friday afternoon re-organizing my project room. I could hardly walk in there for all the stuff on the floor. It didn’t take as long as I feared and I do feel much better for having done it. I too race around doing things on the commercials.We are installing door molding this weekend around our new front door.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Traci
Karah says
Happy Labor Day, Traci!! Hopefully the door molding went well. I agree, I always feel so much better all around when I take a little time to get organized!
cwest100 says
Karah, there is NOTHING that changes a house like a new roof line and a new front porch! That was one of the first things we did on our massive reno and the neighbors thanked us! I’m VERY excited for you!!!
Karah says
Ahhhhh!!! I don’t know if you follow along on Instagram (thespacebetweenblog) but I posted a bunch of progress pictures as the roof was changing this weekend. It is so exciting I can’t even stand it! And we’re going to leave that front part of the living room ceiling vaulted … the change in the whole feel of the house when you enter through the front door is indescribable!!!
Karah says
hahahaha, glad I’m not the only one! I often feel like I’m trying to outsmart myself … not sure what that says about me, but if it works, right?!?!! Happy Labor Day to you!!
Karah says
You know I thought of you when I was putting them in there. 🙂
Heidi @ Decor & More says
What an awesome reminder, Karah! Now I actually have to stay in town for a weekend to tackle some “small things”… and some NOT so small things. 😉
xo Heidi
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
I TOTALLY make things a game too! It’s the only way to stay sane… or maybe it’s a sign that we never were? 🙂
Nicole Stanley says
Very helpful and inspiring post! Organization is vital in learning.Good ideas that certainly help. I will definitely apply the #3 step as soon as I can.Thanks Karah making this post useful and interesting.
Stephanie Fowler says
This is exactly what I needed to hear. We moved into our new home a month ago and the projects keep piling up along with the other things I need to get done. I am so ready to just come home and live in my house. So, thank you again for reminding me of the small things.
Karah says
I’m so glad this was helpful, Stephanie! Sometimes it really is tackling the small manageable stuff that can help get our mind off some of the bigger things that are just going to take time. Congrats on the new house!!
Jann says
Expired coupons from just three months ago? Ha ha ha… Try three YEARS! The paper tiger resides in my house and I suffer from flat surface syndrome. Wherever there’s a flat surface, I tend to cover it with my nemesis… The aforementioned Paper Tiger.
I gathered every piece of paper that had been stashed here, there, & everywhere. Like you, I sorted them into piles: Shred, file, recycle & immediate action.
That last pile is more or less an extension of the File pile. Things like pictures, recipes, received greeting cards. Those went into their own respective piles and were put away when I was finished sorting paper for the day.
I found expired coupons and mail flyers from 3 YEARS ago. Not 3 months.
Surprisingly we don’t have a junk drawer in our kitchen. I used to when I first started housekeeping but I realized that it was valuable real estate in my kitchen so I got out of that habit.
I still have a long way to go with regards to this paper problem I have. I still need to shred a small basket of papers, which is better than the large grocery sack I started with.
It’s just a never ending job… Like laundry. Or dishes… Or grocery shopping…..
Karah says
Hahaha, I’m so glad you can relate, Jann!! We have a similar process. And funny confession, since we haven’t renovated our kitchen yet and things are bit out of control in there (picture a dresser as our pantry!) I actually use a couple of drawers in a side table by the couch as my junk drawer. It’s not big so when it gets full I have to go through it and sort and file/discard/etc accordingly. I think just having the drawer to toss stuff helps prevent things from just accumulating all over the house. But the papers man … flat surface syndrome is alive and well around here. 🙂
lindalw666 says
Progress! Love it! Keep it up! (But have a good time with it!).
Tilesbay says
Love it! Keep it up!