I am so overwhelmed by the prospect of cleaning everything out. I get it all done and it takes me forever and then a year later I have to do it all again. My husband said I just shift piles around. I have ADD tendencies (scored 75 on that ADD online test) and just started taking straterra. I just don't know where to start. I own every organizing book ever made and yet I just can't seem to get it together. I can't even plan out my day sometimes. Too many possibilities. Can you all get me started?

By Yjja123 on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 02:23 pm:

Try flylady this will get ANYONE motivated (it certainly helped me gain control over my clutter)

http://www.flylady.net/

By Tink on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 07:37 pm:

I joined flylady after seeing several people discuss it here. I've been doing it for about a month and it's really helping. It was a little overwhelming at first because there is a lot of information but if you plow through it and concentrate on "baby-steps", it does make a difference. I haven't done all of the things she suggests but just developing a routine has helped. It's also nice because you hear about all of these women and think I'm not as bad as they were and look at them now! Good luck!

By Rcarbee on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 10:40 pm:

Thanks so much you'all. I found the site and it really does look fun and I might be able to handle it. In December I finally got some time to myself (my son just got in special needs preschool). Since then I have been running around to Doctors appts and trying to get his IEP situated. Next week is going to be bad but I have to get a routine before the summer. I also have to get him on a routine for the summer. Thanks again....

By Feona on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 08:23 am:

You can donate extra toys to son's school. That really helped me. I alway have a bag or two or clothes getting ready to go to charity. Just keep thinking you are helping others and get rid of the stuff.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 09:09 am:

For me, the first thing I had to do was totally organize the closet where I keep my cleaning supplies, so that I could both get them out easily and put them back easily.

I next tackled the storage area I had been using as a dumping place for three years. The trick, for me, was to plan to do one of two things - either spend one hour (no more, no less) in that area or sort out a specific number of boxes/bags.

I think it is very important to set reachable goals, even setting them a bit low, so that you can complete your goal. You get a sense of accomplishment and less frustration - which makes it easier to face the next task because you can look back at what you have already accomplished. It has taken you a long time to accumulate all the "stuff", and you will not be able to deal with it overnight.

For planning your day, surely there are things that are a "must do" every day or every week. Can you make up a "day" plan and a "week" plan and slot in the things that must be done? That gives you fewer things to make choices about, and may make it easier to make choices about the things that are not on your plan. Similarly, for things that are not on your plan, can you establish ahead of time a list of what task gets what priority? By that, I mean doctor appointments, children's school or sports things, getting the car in for inspection - all should take priority over most other things. If you develop a list of priorities that also may make it easier for you to plan your days.

By Momaroze on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 09:49 am:

I agree Ginny, setting reachable goals, for me setting them a bit low was something that was very helpful. I used to pull everything out and end up with larger messes and clutter than I started out with. It became overwhelming so I just gave up. I think I too have Add tendencies. Shifting around piles sounds very familiar. Small baby steps. I am a so called "fly baby" I am still not following as I should but Fly lady has been a great source of motivation and inspiration for me too, so has the ladies here on Momsview!

By Rcarbee on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 04:24 pm:

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have kept the dishes done now everyday and de-junked. Fly-lady really helps. I had never heard of that before but I had heard of the side-tracked sisters. I have 2 of their books. I guess I should get rid of at least one of those. Thanks again for helping me get started.

By Missy3 on Friday, May 7, 2004 - 12:37 pm:

rcarbee you are going to feel so good when you get through it. I dont know why it feels good but it just does!!!

I have 3 kids, the oldes 2 are girls and the baby boy is 9mo. I have mad a decision and need to stick with it. This is what I have decided the oldest girls stuff, if it is in good condition will stay. IF not it goes to salvation army. as for the 2nd girl if it is really good stuff it goes to my neighbors sisters daughter, if not it goes to salvation army. as for the little guy any toy bouncer high chair clothes toys anything, if it is in realy good condition I give it to a friend who just had an oooppsy baby boy. if not it goes to salvation army.

i have to keep reiterating salvaton army so i dont hang on to stuff. it is sad cuz you dont know who has it, but trust me someone will! and they need it. i call it sharing the wealth. and i get the tax write off!

anything i have to get rid of, i give myself a time line. i.e. a dresser, okay i have 2 weeks to find someone who wants it. and if the time is up it goes to salvation army.......

get un cluttered in no time!

good luck

By Feona on Friday, May 7, 2004 - 07:36 pm:

I really need to do the basement. I just find I can barely keep up with the house work. But I could do 15 minutes in the basement once a week. yuck! I don't even want to spend 15 minutes down there... Maybe five minutes a week...

By Rcarbee on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 06:21 pm:

Well, I wanted to let you know how I am doing....I have kept the sink clean since 5/7. I actually pulled out all of the stuff out of my mb closet and my hubby (so unlike him) actually built some organizing shelf units (built ins). Nothing has made its way back in there yet and is still in piles in my room but it will make it back and get dejunked at the same time. I can do this! I just have to get through next week with the last week of school and doctor's appts.

By Tink on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 09:38 pm:

Yah! I have been doing FlyLady for a couple of months and I am so proud of myself when I get a kitchen cupboard cleaned out or go to bed with my house in reasonable shape. Keep going. It will keep getting better. I keep wanting to quote FlyLady to you, but I'm sure you are as brainwashed as I am. Persistant, isn't she?

By Emily7 on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 11:06 am:

I just wanted to say thanks as well. Fly Lady is the best? Do any of you own any of the products?

By Melanie on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 11:59 am:

Emily, I LOVE the Fly Lady calendar. The boxes are huge to write lots of stuff in. Also, it has tons of stickers for sports games, doctor appointments, and even stickers for which zone you are working on each week. I also have her organizer journal, but I don't use that at all. I did for a while, but I didn't care for it.

By Tink on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 12:17 pm:

I don't have any of her products yet but I have decided to get her calendar. I haven't sent off for it yet. I keep seeing how much everyone loves her duster but I just don't see the big deal about some purple feathers! Maybe I haven't been brainwashed enough yet.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 01:24 pm:

Emily and Tink, I just got the Flylady duster (the smaller one) and I must say, I do like it! I hate dusting, so for me, it gives me motivation. It's pretty, it works, and it puts a little fun into one of my least favorite jobs. I've always used a rag, but this way, I don't have to move everything, and it makes it easier to dust in places I can't see, like behind the VCR! Oh no, I think I have DEFINITELY been brainwashed!! LOL (But, my house is cleaner than it's ever been! Yay for us!)

By Happynerdmom on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 01:27 pm:

BTW, Way to go, Rcarbee!!! It's a good feeling to finally feel you have at least a little bit under control, isn't it?

By Kay on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 01:42 pm:

Go for the purple feathers - I promise you that you will be amazed! My 77 yr old mom lives with us, and she is a very traditional homemaker - - she *loves* the duster, and wishes they had them back in the 1940's! Now *that's* a testimonial!