My {Un}Organized Life {Ideas and Tips}

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My husband always says I am an organized person, but I have an ugly, little secret... I am really deep down a lazy, laid-back girl who if given the opportunity will let things go by the wayside. Running an in-home business has forced me to stay on top of things; however, I can ALWAYS use help with organization. So here is a look at what I am doing currently to keep life sane...

Freezer Cooking

I have done freezer cooking for years. It started with a friend and I getting together once a month to make meals and then split them. While the friendship is still going strong, our monthly meal-making adventures haven't. We now cook separately. However, I have not lost the habit of having meals in the freezer. It is my lifeline! I homeschool my youngest in the morning and then give Spanish lessons in the afternoon until six almost every day. Without meals that I can quickly pull together we would not eat! I still feel anxiety when I open the freezer and the meals look a little sparse. Once I got into the habit of freezer cooking I haven't turned back and probably never will.

Here are some helpful resources to get started:

Here are all my posts on freezer cooking. One October, I even did a series called 31 Days of Freezer Cooking. So check these out to get ideas and tips.

Life as Mom has been my favorite site for getting tips and ideas for meals in the freezer. She even has a cookbook, Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook.

Decluttering

This year I embarked on a decluttering adventure with a friend. Honestly, it was her idea. I wouldn't have had the gumption to do it on my own, but I am so glad she nudged me to do it. I am using the decluttering calendars from Home Storage Solutions 101. This has been absolutely awesome! I just recently decluttered my kitchen and now I have so much more space! I feel so accomplished!

The monthly decluttering calendars are not only just about getting rid of stuff; they are also a way to organize your life. For example, a few weeks ago one of the tasks was to update your address book. I bought this Lollipop Tree Address Book address book and updated all my information. My address book hadn't been updated in about TWENTY years!! Ugh! I had people in the old book whose names had changed, who I never contact anymore, or have passed away. I so needed to do this!

The beauty of these calendars is that you start whenever. Don't worry if you are in the middle of the year.

Bullet Journaling

About a month ago, I came across the blog, Hope. Dream. Journal. Allycia mentions bullet journals in several of her posts. I was intrigued! I had never heard of them and started reading more. Then I created a Pinterest board to collect ideas.


Follow Debbie in AK's board Bullet Journals on Pinterest.

So what is a Bullet Journal? It is a hand-written way to keep your days organized, to collect lists, and to record memories. I have used a regular planner for years but decided to take the leap and try this type of journal to see how it would work for me.

I came across this post from The Lazy Genius Collective...it is the mother of all posts on how to set up a bullet journal! I actually printed this post off (it is long...) and read it several times, because I have a serious problem reading instructions (Ask several of my friends...I am hopeless!). After I set it up the genius of it made sense to me! There are ways to keep track of tasks, events, and memories all in one book. All you need is a journal and some pens. Some people decorate theirs with washi tape and the like, but it can be as simple as paper and pen.  Here are some ideas on journals and pens:


Moleskine Classic Colored Notebook {This is the one I am using.}

Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook  {Many people use this one. I may try it next time.}

Pentel Gel Pens {These are my favorites, but any pen will do.}

{The Year-at-a-Glance Page in my Bullet Journal}

Tips for the Organizational Journey

Don't Go It Alone. One of the biggest helps to getting organized is to do it with a friend. That's how I started freezer cooking. My adventures in decluttering started this year because a friend texted me asking if I wanted to join her on her journey. At first I thought, "Are you kidding me?! I can't do this!" I am the woman who heats up a burrito in the microwave only to find it the NEXT day still sitting there where I left it. {True story.} If I can't keep the inside of my microwave decluttered how was I going to clean out my whole house? I am so glad she asked me along for the ride. It is easier when you have someone else joining you and encouraging you on! Find a friend to walk with you on your organizational journey.

Knowledge is Power. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Whatever endeavor you want to do to get more organized read up on it. There are blog posts on how to freezer cook, clean, bullet journal, etc. People have actually spent time writing down how to go about these tasks. Make it easier on yourself by reading tips and tricks to get the job done instead of through trial and error.

Give Yourself Grace. There are just those days. Like the weekend, I was down with a virus and hacking out a lung. Nothing got done that day except for me to renew my friendship with the couch! It's ok to have days where you can't get it all done. Do what you can when you can. I have no idea if I am going to be able to follow through ALL year on decluttering, but you know what? At least at this point I have a decluttered kitchen, garage, and a brand new address book. Allow yourself to not be perfect as you push toward your goals.

Happy Organizing!!