arkypam
New Member
Joined: April 2010
Posts: 6
|
Post by arkypam on Jun 22, 2010 9:25:26 GMT -5
When I was a child, my mother's favorite phrase was "It's just as easy to put it away as it is to put it down." Obviously, for me that is not the case or I would do just that.
I understand the importance of having a "home" for everything. I know that I will never be organized unless I develop the habit of continually putting items back where they belong.
My biggest problem is that many of our things do not have a home. I can agonize for hours about identifying the most logical place for an item. My fear is that once I put something away, I will never find it again. (This happens often so the fear is somewhat justified.) The problem is compounded by the fact that my husband is just like I am. Many of things he leaves around the house are electronic parts and tools. There is no way I can put those away. Sometimes I just get a big box and gather up all his stuff. But then it stays in the box forever.
I've thought about keeping a master list on the computer and logging each time I find a "home" for an article.
Am I the only person who agonizes over where things should go? Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris on Jun 22, 2010 9:49:46 GMT -5
Hi arkypam --  -- I used to agonize over where things went and we were the types who ended up with 8 rolls of scotch tape and 5+ pair scissors because we kept "losing" things. Gradually, while working to get organized we've gotten better. One thing that helped us was recognizing that we (DH and me) can't share things like scissors, tape, hammers, screwdrivers etc. So we stopped trying -- we even split out our closets and do that separate too -- plus we each have a desk and our own dresser. Sharing made it far more difficult. For me it works to have a place for things -- I need to know where the nails are for instance and they need to always be there when I need one. At one point before we had gotten rid of a lot of clutter we had too much stuff to have a place for things. Everything was just crammed everywhere. But even in those days I started having a specific place for things like bills, stamps, pens and scissors, tape, hammer, wrapping paper etc. Gradually, more things got a "home". Now it's much better. Even DH sometimes puts things away. With some of *his* stuff he doesn't have specific places for them but he knows that if he borrows my tape he has to put it back. Because he has tape too. I know it might sound grade school -- but we have to do things this way now financially speaking we can't run out and buy a new *whatever* every time we misplace it. So I guess we're more careful. It's just such a great feeling to be confident that you'll be able to find things! I know you mentioned you fear you won't find the item again -- actually in some of the reading I've done on organizing many experts recommend a master list with categories and where the items are to be stored. I know that doesn't account for every specific small item but it's well worth the effort to find the system that works for you. Even if you only start with one item that typically is like a treasure hunt to find. I'm big on hanging things up like keys, purses, hats,  I guess I also have to see a lot of my things in order to be confident I can find them. Good luck.  |
|
|
|
Post by moggyfan on Jun 22, 2010 9:51:36 GMT -5
No, don't worry -- you are most certainly NOT the only person with this trouble :-)
Over the years of my desqualoring/organizing, I have found great comfort comes from the "like-with-like" principle. If, for example, your stapler is with the scissors and paper clips and tape, you have a mental category "office supplies" and you know where to hunt for the stapler.
If it's something with multiple possible categories, it's a little harder. But at least if you're looking for, say, "coasters," you know they might be with drink stuff, or dishes, or "table decor"--at least you have a clue where to start.
In your case, maybe you need a cupboard or shelves labeled "Husband's odd electronic items" and then he can hunt through them.
I know it's easy to say, but "Don't agonize." If you have categories, you'll be able to find most things, and if you keep some kind of master list for odd-but-important, "uncategorizable" items, you won't lose anything permanently.
Also--to reduce your anxiety:
What are you most worried about misplacing/losing?
Almost EVERYTHING, including even birth certificates & other important paperwork, can be replaced if need be.
Maybe you can establish one place (cabinet/shelf/drawer) for "things-I'd-die-if-I-lost" and keep a good list of what's in that one location.
Once you really begin, I think you'll find this sorting/organizing is not as bad as you might fear, and there really is peace of mind in knowing where things are.
|
|
|
|
Post by momof3boys on Jun 22, 2010 9:52:57 GMT -5
You might start with just one thing. For instance, I was always putting my glasses in a "safe place" but I could never remember where I put them. Sometimes they would be in my room, sometimes the kitchen counter, sometimes on the entertainment system, sometimes the coffee table, sometimes the computer stand, sometimes the kitchen table, etc. My husband suggested to my I take them off and put them on the bathroom counter that way I would always know where they are. The first room I head for when I wake up is the bathroom. This works well for me. Just try one thing at a time.
|
|
|
|
Post by messymimi on Jun 22, 2010 11:49:23 GMT -5
Also, try to store things near where they are used. Scissors, paper, pens, tape, stapler, paper clips, envelopes, stamps, etc., all in the desk where you pay bills, for example.
messymimi
|
|
|
|
Post by clutterfree on Jun 22, 2010 12:05:56 GMT -5
Like momof3boys, I found the easiest way to start was with something I used often if not daily. I was forever losing my keys. SOmetimes they'd be right in my purse and couldn't find them in even that small space. I bought a little coiled thing to put on my keys and forced myself to hang them on a key hook on the wall every time I came in the house. Before I even hang my purse on the coat rack, take off my coat or put down a bag of groceries, I hang my keys on that little knob. I have never lost them again. It's an awesome feeling. It took a few weeks and then it was as natural as breathing. I recommend anyone trying that to keep a spare door key in your purse in case you walk out without them before it's ingrained, so you can get back in. That was the start. I still have issues with some things, mostly becaue my daughter will move things like scissors and tape and remote controls, and then my system breaks down. I'm very much an out-of-sight, out-of-mind person and my tendency is to keep everything visible out of fear, so it's not an easy process but it's wonderful when I do it. By focusing on one thing at a time (or one very related category) I can put things away and be confident I'll be able to find them again. I purchased extra scissors and tape from the dollar store and stashed them because I can only change ME and wanted to avoid the frustration of not being able to find my carefully stored stuff after the teen has gone through! |
|
|
|
Post by canna on Jun 22, 2010 14:10:17 GMT -5
Lots of good suggestions. Oh boy keys. I was forever losing those too; bought a cute little brown basket and keep it on entable at top of stairs. Keys go in there - oh yes- whenever coming in and going up the stairs, in that basket. Clutterfree mentioned the little coiled thing (like a coiled plastic bracelet?); those are great for keys especially finding them in purse. Glasses lost lots of times. Now keep them on table in front of couch. However, still ask cat Mesquite "where are my glasses?" when I forget ha. He never tells though.
Chris had good suggestions so did others!
Um, I have a -junk drawer- in kitchen. Yes a mess. Bit that's where tape, scissors, best little pliers, paper clips and some pens and string live. They're there when needed.
All bills to be paid are kept on buffet table in dining room leaning against lamp. A habit to put them there.
Keep trying different things; something will work out for you...
|
|
|
|
Post by Serendipity on Jun 22, 2010 19:27:46 GMT -5
I really have difficulty with this too. I am going to read all these suggestions. the only thing I can think of is to label a box, if stuff ends up in it. I have baskets and cloth storage boxes but i feel confused because i don't know what is in them. Which reminds me that a member posted pictures of her clear storage box solutions. I f you can get or have some wider shelving than bookshelves, then having stuff in same size storage containers might help? i will look for the pictures of the clear organizer ideas.
echo shows "my storage that solves the need to see my stuff" on page two of photos
|
|
|
|
Post by momofgirls on Jun 22, 2010 21:31:57 GMT -5
Something that helps me is to hold the object, close my eyes and imagine where I would go to look for it in my house. This is why the pot holders and scissors live in the same drawer.
|
|
|
|
Post by blessedapt on Jun 22, 2010 22:26:57 GMT -5
I have suffered from this same thing for years. However, since I am now focusing on getting myself out of this mess and getting organized, I find that taking baby steps helps. I started with my keys (how many hours of my life have I spent looking for them!) by hanging them on the back of the door. I really can't miss them when I am leaving, and I automatically hang them up when I come in and lock the door.
I like all of the other ideas that people have already sent. I definitely have started to subscribe to the "likes with likes" theory. I just cleaned off my kitchen cabinets and had mail, office supplies, jewelry, perfume samples, tons of change, and lots of other stuff that had to go to their "homes." Only kitchen stuff belongs in my kitchen (I do have what I call a utility drawer with scissors, screwdriver, etc. in it.) I also found that when I did spend a lot of time thinking of where something's home should be, that it stuck with me. When I don't think about it long and make a snap decision, that's when I completely forget!
So, it's a very slow process for me, but I am finding that I am getting more organized. Keep at it, and you'll find ways to conquer this.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by Script on Jun 23, 2010 8:59:59 GMT -5
I label a lot of things. Example:
*boxes in furnace room {"xmas decoration for living room mantle"}
*some tiny storage boxes in craft room ["rub-ons"]
Not only does it make recovery easier, but SEEING the labels over time helps imprint locations in my brain.
|
|
|
|
Post by slothzilla on Jun 23, 2010 13:37:13 GMT -5
...That was the start. I still have issues with some things, mostly becaue my daughter will move things like scissors and tape and remote controls, and then my system breaks down.... Even though i live by myself, I've had trouble keeping up with my remote controls, and sometimes it drives me crazy. This weekend though I finally came up with a solution. For the past year, I've been keeping my remotes in a little black plastic basket/tray type thing...but sometimes one of the remotes wouldn't make it back into the basket, or I'd have a hard time finding the correct remote while I was watching a movie with the lights down low. And the basket didn't have a good spot of its own, I always kept it in the same general area, but not the same spot. I have an extra flatware cutlery container (one of those plastic trays that have partitions for knives, forks, spoons, etc), and my remote controls fit in it perfectly! The partitions in it are just the right size to hold remotes. (and yes, I'm aware of universal remotes, I have several!) So now I keep the flatware container which is holding my remotes on a shelf right next to my main chair, so they are easily accessible, and I know exactly which remote is in which slot. In the rest of the partitions in the flatware container I'm keeping my reading glasses, dog medicine, tape, etc. It's turning out to be very handy, and I haven't misplaced any of my remotes lately. |
|
|
|
Post by heretoday on Jun 24, 2010 8:44:44 GMT -5
I have this problem too, stacks of completely unrelated things in the dining room for example. Agonize over where every one should go and sometimes they just stay there cause I can't figure out where to put them.
|
|
|
|
Post by dtesposito on Jun 24, 2010 13:43:45 GMT -5
What I've found over the years is to think of the first place I'd look for the item (like momofgirls said) because if that place pops into my head once, it probably will every time. But, if after trying that for a while you find it doesn't work, don't be afraid to change the place. This is one of the systems that I talk about when I say you have to find the one that works for you.
I tried hanging keys on a hook and could never make myself do it. Of course, my first thought was, that's because I'm hopelessly sloppy and just can't keep up with anything. Finally, instead of a hook, I tried putting a tin container (like the kind you pack cookies in) near the front door. When I come in now I drop the keys in that container, I hear the "clunk", which kind of says, okay, I know where they are now. Ever since I started doing that I very, very rarely lose my keys. For some reason the audible signal helps me remember to put my keys there--this system works for me, probably wouldn't for some other people. So if you can't figure out a way to remember where things are at first (after giving it a fair try) don't think you're hopeless and give up, try another system.
Diane
|
|
hopehope
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,815 
|
Post by hopehope on Jun 24, 2010 20:06:17 GMT -5
I was going to answer this, "Damned if i know." so no, you aren't the only one.
I did have a lightbulb moment once -- long long ago -- I think after I left my parent's home? or before.
there is no "right" home. where ever you pick -- you can pick anywhere -- and decide that that is its home, it is.
just like that.
then it's just a matter of getting it back to the home that it belongs in.
also (I haven't time to read all the responses, so I'm sure it's been said) -- Like goes with like.
another roll of tape goes with the last roll of tape. or three.
toilet paper is in the bathroom, not the kitchen.
skirts are with skirts. jam with jam.
then you just need a broad map of category in your head.
and -- go ahead and put this stuff on your computer. if I had one, I would.
|
|
