So, here I was, minding my own b'niss, perusing Facebook this morning (apparently I'm over feeling exposed..) when I stumbled across this post: Free Goal Setting software from Money Saving Mom which led me to One Year to a {more} Organized Life from Unsolicited Advice which leads me to...
..GETTING OFF MY RUMP AND GETTING THINGS DONE!
Ugh. I feel like I've been in a very dense fog since baby #2 was born.
I feel like I haven't been able to get a handle on things. Simple things. Like keeping up with the housework. *sigh* And brushing my teeth. I kid, I kid.
I like to think of myself as organized but if you could see my house right now, that's probably not the first thought that would go through your head. *ahem*
Well, I've had enough! I'm ready to change a few things around here! For real this time! No, really!
I've been thinking, upon Brenda's suggestion, about why I want to be more organized. Here's what I came up with:
1. I want to spend more quality time with my girls. I love just sitting and playing with Gilly or reading books to her. And being two years old, she really needs my undivided attention - a lot. (Maybe this won't change as she grows???) Unfortunately, I don't do it as often as I like because I always feel like there's a million other things I should be doing! Like, cleaning, organizing, cleaning, paying bills, feeding the hogs... Which is silly! I truly believe relationships are the most important thing in this life and I'm letting "stuff" get in the way!! And, seriously, who wouldn't want to spend more time with these little cuties? That's my question.
2. I can't function well in disorganization and messes. (In my own home, mind you. It doesn't bother me at other people's houses. ;) Before I became a Mom, I worked at a vet clinic. My work space had to be VERY organized and clean, or I simply could not do my job! Well, now my "work space" is my home and it's very frustrating for me to have it unorganized.
In order to do a good job at whatever I'm doing: paying bills, washing dishes, cooking, or even fun stuff like knitting and scrapbooking - I need to have a relatively clean work space first. When it's not as clean as I'd like, I usually get discouraged and end up not doing anything!! That's counterproductive-ness at it's finest, people!
3. Being unorganized stresses me out! Plain and simple. It makes me cranky and stressed. Those are not qualities I'm proud of.
4. Time Management. This sort of goes along with the first one and to me is the essence of organization. A place for everything, and everything in it's place - including activities. If I have a set time for certain things to be done each week, it will give me more time to do the things I want to do! A few things I would like to add to my schedule (which is non-existent right now) are meal planning, time spent with the girls, time to craft, and reading my Bible and praying - which I do now, but it's more in short bursts throughout the day. I'd like it to be more focused.
I'd like anything to be more focused in my life right now, for that matter!
We are supposed to dig deeper for the reasons to get more organized. I would have to say that I could sum up all 4 of my reasons into this: I need to be a better steward of the time, material possessions and people God has given me/placed in my life. I want to live my life to the fullest and be the wife, mother & friend God has called me to be! That probably sounds a bit dramatic when all we're really talking about is organizing, but I don't think so.
I realize as I take this "journey", it might require me to lower my expectations a bit and not be so hard on myself. <--- really a struggle for me.
I could cut myself a little slack and say that I am really, really, really T I R E D. My sweet little baby is not the greatest sleeper and she was colicky for the first 4 months. Anyone who's had a colicky, fussy baby knows that there isn't a lot of time or energy to be spent on anything else!
At the same time, I know what I'm capable of and I know I'm not acting on my full potential. Bring on the guilt, baby!!! Kidding... Sort of.
I'm looking forward to having some accountability and maybe some motivation to stick with getting organized this year. How about you? Would you join us to Organize Your Life? Head on over to Unsolicited Advice to check out the details and to link up! :)
Happy Organizing!
