An Organized Life

 I realize now that I am retired, and I feel I am not as organized as I would like to be, that I did lead a very organized life.  It seems that the more chaos in my life the better I functioned.  With that said I have embraced the fact that I don't need to be hyper organized as often my days truly have nothing that needs to be accomplished. I put demands on myself for 45 years to be on a schedule, get up and get going.  I retired so I wouldn't be required to do that anymore.  Quite frankly, I do like it.  There are days when I accomplish very little and would be a wee bit discouraged about that.  I am trying not to use productivity and accomplishment to define me.  I decided today to share some of my organizational tips for you to consider.  

Selecting clothes. In reflection, I had some pretty neat tricks that kept me organized once upon a time.  The number one thing that helped me sleep was my Sunday night preparation time.  I looked at my calendar for the next 5 days and picked out the necessary clothes for each of those 5 days.  I hung the clothes separate from the rest of my clothes and did not change my mind, that is what I was wearing.  That included jewelry in little piles, I was ready to roll.  As sad as it is, if I didn't do that, I would spend half the night waking up thinking what am I going to wear tomorrow.  Knowing it was ready was calming for me.  I think we have all experienced not being able to find something to wear.  Half of the closet is on the bed, and in desperation we pick something.  We are miserable all day because we don't feel dressed like we wanted.  Not to mention the mess that awaits us when we get home, cleaning of the bed. 

Food Containers.  I would cook on the weekend and fill containers for work.  I don't care if I have to eat the same thing every day as long as it's good.  The containers were neatly stacked up in the fridge or freezer ready for the lunch bag. I would cut up veggies and fruit and put them in serving size in five Ziplock bags.  Cookies or treats were the same.  I always packed my lunch bag the night before. I did a much better job than in the morning.  My workdays started at 6:45 so not much time to doddle with lunch prep. Food certainly doesn't go to waste when you need "containers" for work.  It always impressed me when I worked on the wards with students.  It was a long 12-hour day ending in a post conference.  The students would settle in and out came the food.  Healthy snacks, of course water bottles they had it all.  I had nothing, the containers were empty and so was the bag.  Since then when I travel, even on a day trip, I pack a bag with water and snacks.  

White board and Command Center.  My motto is "if it goes on the white board, it will get done".  And it does.  When I was raising kids, we had a white board on our fridge for messages.  I am assuming in today's world a white board is probably replaced with phones.  In my mind a white board is really key to survival.  So is a spot every woman can call her "Command Center".  I stole that title from a dear friend, because I loved it.  It is individual what you put in your command center.  My center has a white board, plug ins for my phone and computer, stationary supplies, calendar and printer.  It is situated in my small laundry room.  The laundry room had a bit of unused space, so I made it useable.  I was able to put my cords out of sight and organize myself all at once.  I know when I am looking for something on paper it is in that room.  I decided years ago that a laundry room should look really nice and make you smile when you go in there.  Women spend considerable time in that room, and it should be a happy spot.  Not a place you want to get in and get out.  I have shelves with pictures, a small cupboard for laundry supplies and of course artwork done by my grandchildren.  My laundry room is small so once the load of clothes is dry, they go into the dresser drawers.  

The dryer is amazing space for reminders 

There is the white board

Make sure your cupboard for supplies looks nice. 

                      

List making.  I decided at one point in my life I had enough of making lists.  I had lived my life with a list, and I didn't want that anymore.  I doubt very much I need to explain what a disaster that was.  Honestly, where was my head.  I have a very influential person in my life who lives by her lists.  She has today's list, tomorrow's list, this week list, this month list and perhaps this year and this lifetime list. I only do a daily list and I have to admit that if I make a list, it gets done.  I do require and appreciate the order and accomplishment a list provides.  I would be amiss if I didn't add a shopping list to this topic.  In Covid when we all thought we would get lethal covid buying groceries at the Coop, I found out that a shopping list was paramount to getting groceries. Even if I only needed a few things on the list there was no way I could remember what I needed.  I was overwhelmed with the new way of grocery shopping.  By the time I waited in line, sanitized my hands, followed the arrows, made sure not to speak or make eye contact with anyone, how could I possibly remember what I needed.  I almost needed Ativan to be honest.  That has hung on so even if it is three things, I take a list.    

Clothes.  I read the organizational book years ago and did as she suggested.  My dresser drawers are the same as the day I did them.  I fall short in keeping my closet clothes hanging in colors, but I do think about it.  My daughter told me if you are a minimalist, you should only use 40 hangers for your clothes and that includes coats.  I use more than 40 hangers; I find in retirement that I seem to wear the same things and could easily only have 40 hangers, but I don't.  I come to realize while I am following the book and organizing my clothes, that in today's world with the way we wash clothes, how many pairs of underwear, night wear, socks, old t-shirts do we need.  We just need enough to get from one wash to another.  

I have to share this past life story because someone may try it.  When I was raising kids, I washed clothes on Monday only.  Yep, the pile was high, but I did it all at once.  I folded the clothes and put them in the kid's room.  I hated doing laundry every day, so I decided to name the day and went with it.  Towels, bedding and of course necessary loads were done on other days.  But the clothes were all done in one day.  

It is life changing 

How many socks do I need?

Sweats and tanks

Cards.  I buy all at one time, all of the birthday and anniversary cards I will need that year.  I make a list, go to Dollar Tree, because in my world they have the best supply and just buy cards.  When I come home, I stack the cards in the order of when I need them, and they are good to go at birthday time.  A card often says exactly what I want to say but can't find the words.  I usually buy dollar cards because I feel it is the fact of someone thinking of you by sending a card as opposed to an expensive one that matters.  Granted there are times when I spend many dollars on a card because it is important to do so.  But it is certainly not my practice. 

I live in an organized house.  Everything has a place and is usually in its place.  My daughter is a professional organizer in her own right.  She organized my kitchen cupboards years ago and they are still the same.  I have labelled baskets, and no one can underestimate the value of a labelled basket in my world.  I don't over buy food or toiletries.  I realize they are on sale, but they will come on sale again.  Granted living in a city does provide the opportunity to get what you want on sale as opposed to regular price.  I play the "use it up" game. I love to use up the food in my fridge, use up my freezer food, use up my pantry supply, use up my baking supply.  I had two aunts that could make a meal out of nothing and that is me.  I always have onion soup mix, tomato soup, cream soup and salsa as my "must have" food and the sky is the limit to what I can make.  I always knew what I was going to make for supper or that was a disaster.  I see many homes with posted weekly menus and I smile knowing what sense of calmness that it provides. 

My neat little dish cupboard

 

Labelled baskets are a must

    

I know many young mom's get up before the house does just to enjoy some alone time.  I feel whatever you need to do to center yourself before the day starts makes the day go so much better.  Some people thrive in chaos, and I can for short periods of time.  But I prefer to live in an organized environment, lead an organized life and enjoy the calmness it provides.