Organization!

So, I am on week #2 of the great clean out...if you don't know what that is go to www.organizedhome.com and check it out. I am following this plan. Now....I really do LOVE organization.....but I am one of those people who is a perfectionist at it...if I can't have perfection--then I don't want it!! Right about now, I am thinking to myself, "why did I start this? It isn't fun any more!" ~but the payoff is! So far, I have managed to clean out my master closet--love it! Love walking in there...b/c I can actually SEE what is in there! I was RUTHLESS in that clean out!! I have done the foyer-which consisted of a cabinet and a closet (good thing is that the closet had already been cleaned out--it just needed re-organizing! whew!) Today starts the living room....I have only managed to clean out a drawer in an old china hutch (we use it for books) and a cabinet....and again, I was ruthless (I may regret this later when I think to myself, "if I had just saved ______, I could use it now) but the truth is, if it hasn't been touched, used, needed or looked for in the last year, I really don't need it. So.....I really need to go clean up my clean out now!! :-)

I saw this....HAD to share.....


Tipnut Home > Household Tips > 11 Goals To Enhance Your Life This Year

11 Goals To Enhance Your Life This Year

I love the beginning of each new year, for me it’s always meant rejuvenation and an opportunity to look at new goals for personal growth and overall life skills that enhance daily life. By the end of the year it’s amazing and uplifting to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished, experienced and added to life and say: “This year I added this, this and that to my personal toolbox of experiences, skills and tools.” Fun stuff!

Here are a few ideas for helping define New Year’s Resolutions for yourself…

11 Goals To Enhance Your Life This Year

1. Choose One New Thing To Learn: Take a class for something you’ve always wanted to know how to do…learn how to knit, how to crochet, woodworking, embroidery, gourmet cooking, first aid, oil painting, wine making–whatever it is that sparks your interest, go for it this year!
2. Eliminate One Negative Distraction: Media gossip taking too much mental space? Spending too much time complaining with and about others? World news or politics haunting you hourly? Cut the negative noise, focus on weeding out one distracting habit at a time…you won’t believe how much more productive and content you’ll be!
3. Embrace One Positive Influence: Focus on making room for more time for something positive in your life. Nurturing friendships, seeking uplifting discussion or information, spiritual reflection.
4. Honor Your Family: With your time, laughter, forgiveness, respect, generous acts, support and encouragement…then enjoy what blossoms from that.
5. Nurture Your Home: Determine areas that need improvement–cleaning, baking & cooking, organize. Make pretty the best you can with the resources you have. Appreciate. Read 10 Secrets To Rewarding Homemaking for some inspiration.
6. Develop One Healthier Lifestyle Habit: Exercise, eat better, cut fatty foods and snacks, quit smoking, cut the soda pop, walk more.
7. Stretch Yourself–Do Something Terrifying: Public speaking, belly dance class, volunteer for your political party of choice, fundraise for a good cause.
8. Teach Something: Volunteer to teach a community class, start a blog and share your experience or knowledge, share family recipes, history and traditions with younger family members.
9. Reduce Something: Clutter, debt, overspending, household waste (recycle & repurpose).
10. Focus On One Area For Increased Independence: Make more instead of buying ready-made (food, gifts), learn how to fix more instead of hiring or purchasing replacement, grow more of your own food–even if it’s just kitchen herbs, work on debt reduction.
11. Stretch Your Generosity: Regularly do something a bit out of your way that helps someone else–give a co-worker a ride home, offer a helping hand to an elderly neighbor, donate clothing and household items to a struggling family–all with no strings attached.

Some goals you may let go of over time, but some will flourish. The fun is appreciating the journey–and where it leads you to next .

Happy New Year!

Originally Published January 1, 2008