The importance of organization around the house can not be over-stressed. You, your family and your home will run more efficiently and therefore less stress and more joy in your life. You will end up having more time to enjoy the pleasures of life. It really takes very little time to put the things in place that will help you do this. It will be given back to you many times over.
There are a few things to consider when formulating your individual plan of attack. You need to start out by asking the question. Where do I see the problem areas in my home and life? Are the keys always missing? Is the sports equipment always strewn about? 
Do bills go missing and therefore unpaid, perhaps piling up with junk mail? Have you tripped over that pile of shoes – again?
Sometimes the best way to “fix” these problems is to stop fighting them. Stay with me, and I think you will understand what I’m trying to say. Work with your family’s tendencies, and you will see more positive results with fewer headaches. Some things may take a bit more willpower, but once you incorporate them into your routine, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
- If your family likes to leave their shoes like landmines by the back door instead of taking them to their rooms, perhaps you could place an attractive basket there for people to kick their shoes into.
- If you need a place to keep your keys or your work badge, think of a bowl or hook by the door. Another thing to try is a tray on your dresser, if you find yourself coming home and rushing to change into something comfortable. Work with what feels natural; then enforce it.
- If you sort the mail each day and promptly get rid of the ads and junk mail, you will save yourself a great deal of grief. Wherever you do this, have a waste basket or blue box nearby to collect the throwaways. No more desks or kitchen tables or catch-all baskets swimming in useless papers – you can see the few things that do need attending to with ease.
Consider different storage solutions and shelving everywhere possible in your house. Use baskets and bins to corral items anywhere. And if your solutions are as attractive as they are smart you will appreciate them even more.
- In the kitchen and pantry you can use plastic storage containers to keep your spices, sauce packets together in fact anything you see causing clutter.
- In the bathroom on the vanity, sassy baskets can hold hair products, lotions, makeup – whatever you see jumbled there. You can also use baskets on the floor to contain rolled up towels ready to use.
- In the den, look to rein in toys, blankets, books, music, etc, with a beautiful trunk or basket matched to your decor – a storage ottoman answers many needs at once!
If you set your mind to making your home function as easily as possible, every little step you take will get you closer. Soon you will be able to enjoy it and your family, and they will thank you for it.
