Where Do You Start?

If you are overwhelmed at disorganization around you, the best advice is to start in a small area first.  It may be a kitchen drawer or one shelf in a bookcase, but making it organized  will give you a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to move on to other areas.

Another approach may be to tackle the area that irritates you most.  If it is stack of papers on the kitchen counter, getting those sorted and off that surface will give you added counter space as well as peace of mind.

Regardless of the approach, doing something will start you on your way.

Is There Hope for Chronic Disorganization?

Absolutely yes, there is hope for anyone experiencing disorganization.  There may not be the 60 minute miracle you see on several popular television programs, but it is possible to change the situation. 

The A & E channel is now showing a series of programs on hoarding, an extreme area of disorganization.  It can also be downloaded from their web site.  One of the more important aspects of these programs is the hopelessness that the clients display.  With years of accumulation of all kinds of things and refusal to deal with their situation, most have been threatened with eviction from their homes. 

Just as it took many years for their environments to become inhabitable, it will take time for emotional and mental attitudes about their "things" to be resolved and their homes to be changed into safe, clean and pleasant places to live.  Their willingness to work with a team of specialists including therapists and professional organizers will make the journey more successful.

Most of us have never experienced disorganization to this extreme, but we all need to be aware that over time any situation can deteriorate if we are not diligent to maintain a satisfactory level of organization in our homes.  Professional organizers can help with strategies and solutions that will make that process easier and more successful.

Crafting Can Get Crazy

Making something with your own hands is an opportunity to be creative and produce something that will enhance your life and often that of others. It is rewarding to see the items you have created be appreciated by others and sometimes be a source of additional income.

Those who have these unique abilities often find themselves learning more and more crafting techniques and building an accumulation of supplies that are needed to make the products. When there is no limit to the kinds and amounts of projects, disorganization can occur.

As a professional organizer and former craftaholic, I can recommend limiting the number of different crafts you make. If you love sewing, limit yourself to projects that use fabrics. It may be quilts (my favorite), purses, aprons, jumpers or tote bags. If you like rubber stamping and papers, limit yourself to cards, scrapbooks, invitations, etc. If you like beading, limit yourself to making jewelry, embellishing clothing and other accessories. In other words, try to stick with crafts that are related in the supplies they require.

The problem occurs if you try to do beading, rubber stamping, sewing or other combinations of crafting. Unless you have a very large space for storage and working, it is very difficult to organize so many different types of supplies. For those who do have large workrooms, keeping the different craft supplies in separate zones makes is much easier to store and access those items.

Crafting is a great outlet for relieving stress and producing objects that can bless you and others. Keeping the amount of supplies to a reasonable number is an exercise in self discipline. We all can use more of that.