Now that I'm finished with summer school, I've decided that I really need to figure out a way to keep my life organized that I can really dedicate the time and energy to really making this work. I've loved pattern and textiles for so long and this feels like the perfect fit for me. I have to do it. It's been a very rough transition for me living in Argentina and I think part of the problem was feeling like I don't have an identity. In NY I had a career and friends and hobbies and I knew exactly what I wanted. But since having kids and leaving the states it's been a hard road.
Yes, I'm a Mommy. It's extremely rewarding, but also extremely difficult at times. You can never be prepared for the fact that you are everything to these little people, you are at their beck and call. Your life is not your own anymore. I've really taken the time to make a comfortable home for my family, so no matter where we are or what happens outside of the house they have a place where they feel safe and familiar. All except my office that is. Somehow, it's become a bit of a stash closet. Anything that needs to be put away but hasn't yet, ends up in here. I really have to make a conscious effort to keep this space clutter free. I think I need help in not only organizing my office, but organizing my life so that I have time to do the things that are important to ME. So I can do these things without feeling like I'm neglecting something else that needs to be done in the house.
Here are a few good articles and websites with things I'm willing to implement.
This great article from
Zen Habits gives you 27 ways to stay organized. I realize now that I need a white board.
When I was pregnant and lived on the What to Expect App, the moms talked about this site often.
flylady.net. The site has a lot going on, but there are some really helpful tips! It really is boot-camp for an organized life.
Lifehack is just a great site in general.
This article on the 10 habits of highly organized people is a good read. It really is some of the simplest things that can make your life less chaotic.
Jess Lively. I've followed her blog for quite some time. Things have certainly changed as she's changed her business model. But she focuses on living a life with intention and now offers courses to help you do just that. You can take a look at her blog for tips and interviews with people who are doing just that.
Just in my own experience, a few things that work for me are:
- www.myfitnesspal.com/ Staying healthy and disciplined is part of having an organized life. In my bouts of homesickness, I tend to eat. As a result, I gained about 20 pounds over the last year. Since regularly using this, I've lost 10.
- Have a routine. Just like with children, everyone is happy when you know what's next. Wake up, give the kids breakfast, dressed for school. At night clean the kitchen etc... It's helped me tremendously. No longer do I dread some of these things(like cleaning), they are just part of the routine.
- Don't think. Just do. This fits in with having a routine. If you dread doing the dishes and think about how much you don't want to do them, you will procrastinate. I think that goes for many things. Just do it.
I still have a long way to go. Especially with the dumping all of my papers in a drawer to be sorted later. Paper is my enemy. I'm getting there.
Please share any tips you have about living a more organized life.
