How do you organize things?

[mzgarden]

Just wondering.  I have one Son & DIL - she is the organizer and they both are doers.  She has a list on the refrigerator that pretty much stays the same - Monday - kitchen is cleaned, Tuesday - bedroom is cleaned, Weds - bathrooms, etc.  They have a running list on their phones in a shared app where they can add things they need to buy/get/pick up/appointments - both can update it.  Whoever is wherever takes care of what's on the list, including groceries. vet appts, etc.  Dear Son writes his own lists for home repairs/yard work, etc but both contribute to completing that list.  They have 1 dog & 2 cats, no children.

My other son & DIL are the exact opposite - no lists, 4 dogs, 3 kids and it looks like total chaos.  Seems like everyone is happy, things get done but the house is (to my perception) chaotic and jumbled - but they are happy and the kids are happy and taken care of.

We are 2 in our house.  We have always had a division of duties but we work together and are happy to crossover when needed.  I do the shopping, cooking, house and garden, he does all the repairs, building, house and garden.  I have joint issues so I have to be careful - he is strong, healthy and kind and happy to be my brawn when I get an idea.  I'm pretty good at problem solving, so he brings me quandries for his jobs and we solve them together.

How does it work for you? - are you a list person, someone that gets things done as they occur to you/need?  It's taken me a long time of growing up/older to give up the idea of how I think others should get organized.

[Melissa]

I like to organize so everything in my house is always put away. I have nothing out on the counters, I have no junk drawer, and I never have clutter anywhere. It is easy if you do a little at a time and don't let it get out of control. I am also a list maker and I love paperwork. I always say, "Organization is the key!" lol

[bowdonkey]

I use a trash can alot, probably too much at times.

[countrymom22]

I'm the organizer. Hubby is just a mess! I keep a list of things that need doing but I have to keep pushing him to get anything done. He is easily distracted. I do 95% of the shopping and housework, unless there is a job that I need his help with. He will help if asked but would never say, vacuum the floor unless I asked. I'm 100% the keeper of the animals and garden.
We just kind of arrived at this division of labor with him doing the repairs and mowing & weed wacking.

We see things differently though. He doesn't care if things are neat and tidy, or even clean. He just likes to do what he wants to do, which is never anything on the list, so I have to keep redirecting him. I blame his mother for this as he never had any chores to do, not even cleaning his own room. Mom did all the work, both inside and out, as his father never lifted a finger to do anything.

Out division of labor works most of the time, though there are days when I get really frustrated. But I guess that's probably pretty normal for most couples.

[susannah]

Am I a list person? Not really, but I'm more likely to make a list now than I was say, 30 years ago. Because...computers. They store my lists for me so I don't lose them. Prior to that, I'd make a list and either lose it or forget I'd ever made the list. Or forget to get the list when I needed it if I did remember I had a list.

I'm definitely the one who does more of the cleaning and keeping things organized around the house, but that's because I have a far lower threshold to chaos than my husband does. In most cases, anyway. The fact that I never use a recipe without changing it up - and often don't keep track of those changes - used to bug him. But after 38 years of marriage, he's found a work around - he hovers and notes what changes I make, then stores the info in one of his gazillion files. 

Which brings up another "organizational" difference between us: My computer files and phone are very well organized and uncluttered. I'm constantly purging things I don't need, I don't have texts from several years ago hanging out on my phone, etc.

My husband is kind of a pack rat to begin with - although I'll be the first to admit his pack rat tendencies have come in handy (and saved us money) on a number of occasions. He seems perfectly fine with his storage methods - or lack thereof. His attitude is "I know I have it; I just don't know which of the outbuildings it's in." And he usually IS pretty good about finding whatever it is he needs; I'd say 80% of the time his first guess is spot on. So it works for him. 

All that being said, I'm really not a super organized person. I don't like clutter, but I don't keep a lot of, well...stuff...to begin with, so that helps cut down on clutter. With the exception of my doing more cleaning because of my preferences for how I want things to look indoors, we pretty much share most of the other work. I love outdoor work - cutting down trees, chopping wood, cutting the lawn, etc. I want to be outside whenever I can. But I will NOT deal with the beast of a snow thrower he has. It scares me. Snow removal by machine is 100% his domain.

countrymom22, I WISH I could do 95% of the shopping. My husband enjoys shopping WAY too much and I'm forever being surprised by what ends up coming home with us.

[Calfkeeper]

We are "file by pile" people; both of us, and the chaos shows. It is awful and I don't know how to break the cycle. If I knew how I would post a picture of my husband's paperwork piles here in the dining area. Ha. In 17 years of marriage I can't count how many times he has lost paperwork.

[Woodpecker]

I am very organized or I should say my piles are organized. I have a pile of papers on the pie safe, that reflect things I need to call about. Then theres the pile of bills to be paid. Then right next to that pile is my "I have no pile for this pile" which is mostly junk that I usually go through once a week and purge.

I only file important paid bills. I do not keep every paid bill like I used to, paid copies. Too much paper to hold onto.

I just realized I have a file cabinet in the basement where all paid bills were started to be filed when we moved in here in 1983. Stopped using that file cabinet years ago. I think I'll go down there and throw it all away, now that I remember it's there. It'll be fun to see what the electric and such was way back then.

My desk needs to be organized and is. All bills to be paid the current week are on my desk, to write checks, stamp and get ready to mail. I don't do many on line payments. I still do not feel all that safe having a company having my bank info and being able to withdraw whenever they want. Just not me. Although stamps are expensive now a days.

I surely like things neat and organized, but the older I get the more difficult that seems to be. I do know where most things are though

[countrymom22]

susannah, if I didn't do 95% of the shopping we would all be naked and starving! When hubby comes with me to the grocery store we spend way more money than usual. Even our favorite cashier has remarked on it.

My hubby is also a pack rat. When he says he's going to clean his shop or office, I know it means he's just going to move the piles from one place to another. Most of the time he can find whatever he is looking for, but it may take awhile. On the other hand, I'm sure I have at least a touch of OCD. I like to be able to stick my hand in the cabinet when I'm cooking and know exactly where everything is. I get slightly crazy when I'm reaching for the salt and my hand lands on the garlic powder! And I will never understand why hubby takes his jacket off and drops it on the wood box, when the coat rack is right next to the wood box, empty.

If the sentiment that opposites attract is true, we would be the perfect example!

[ohiodreamer]

We are a mix of organized and chaos, lol. Hubby is dyslexic. In researching dyslexia when my youngest was diagnosed (I suspect oldest is dysgraphic which is a subdivision)...I now understand their chaos. As the sole organizer in the house...I lose more than I win...

[farmerjack]

Guess I would be classified as 50% organized. Most things in the house are in an organized way, especially around the desk and computer area. Now my shop would fall under a different classification. Part of that problem is usually there are several projects going at the same time. The shop was built for wood working, but repairing equipment used around the yard happens in there also. As bad as it looks, usually can walk right to what I am in need of. Well, at least some of the time.
Have seen shops that look all “ship shape”, but have never found these folks ever doing anything in them. It had to be an emergency circumstance before my wife would try to find her way thru my shop. As normal, my wood shop should have been built twice the size, 28’ by 30’ is not large enough.

Have to admit in most cases ladies are far more organized than men. My daughter in law is so organized it would drive me nuts. There are exceptions to this once in a while.

[allenw]

I would like to be, I know where most things are but still have too much miscellaneous scattered around.

[moldy]

I am just a hot mess, but I have a list for that!!

[bluemingidiot]

Organize things?

Slightly more seriously, the people who tell adult ADHDs they can become better organized are not adult ADHDs.

Why do students with ADHD struggle with organization?

The reason: The neurological process that lets us organize, prioritize, and analyze is called “executive function.” Children with ADHD and related neurobiological problems experience executive dysfunction due to abnormal dopamine levels in the frontal lobe of the brain.

[mzgarden]

bluemingidiot , Yep, totally agree. Our son I reference originally who has no organization skils is very ADHD, will probably have to be on meds his whole life. He's smart, got good skills but every time he decides against ADHD meds (Rx, psychiatrist, etc.), he loses his job and has to start over. With meds, he works, without meds, he's a hot mess.

[allenw]

I'm getting better at keeping track of household needs and keeping a list of what we need and trying to get better at keeping my bookkeeping up. Stuff I don't know if I will ever keep that under control.

[wolfmom]

"You have not competed something until everything has been cleaned up and put away."

I had to train myself to do that.

[Woodpecker]

I cannot go out or up to bed even, with any dishes in the sink. They have to be done right after eating. Also I can’t not make my bed every morning..it just doesn’t feel right.

I won’t go into hygiene, because I’m a germ freak. All my life I’ve been germ conscious. I’ve always used hand sanitizer before eating out, after reading the menu…think of how many other peoples germs are on the menu. I could go on & on, it’s just me🙃.

[mzgarden]

wolfmom, agree. In my head I have to repeat to myself --- No Shortcuts (related to cleaning up, putting away, etc).

[countrymom22]

Dec 27, 2021 15:41:02 GMT wolfmom said:

"You have not competed something until everything has been cleaned up and put away."

I had to train myself to do that.

While I completely agree with you, no mayyer how hard I try, I just can't get hubby to see job completion this way!  But I'll keep trying!  A job is not done until all tools are put away and messes made cleaned up!

[wolfmom]

Dec 27, 2021 22:02:42 GMT countrymom22 said:

Dec 27, 2021 15:41:02 GMT wolfmom said:

"You have not competed something until everything has been cleaned up and put away."

I had to train myself to do that.

While I completely agree with you, no mayyer how hard I try, I just can't get hubby to see job completion this way!  But I'll keep trying!  A job is not done until all tools are put away and messes made cleaned up!

Why try?
His messes - his responsibility. If you can't stand his messes, put things away - where you think they should go -   He gets frustrated enough, he'll change. And if he asks - keep it simple.

[countrymom22]

wolfmom, I wish that would work! But my hubby NEVER gets frustrated. He is the calmest person I have ever met. It's actually quite frustrating for me!

[lindy]

I am not the most organized person in the world, and my family would agree. However I decided long ago that there were a few things in my world that had to be organized and the rest...well, perhaps not. Keys are always deposited in the same container inside the door, mail goes on a tray that sits on top of the microwave oven and all of it is dealt with once a week and filed or shredded. It's important for me to be able to grab paperwork as soon as it's needed for my job. I have a box that holds stationery "stuff" including tape, scissors, cards and stamps. Scissors can wander so I have multiple pairs in designated places too. (My home isn't big). Some kitchen tools are always kept in certain spots.
Dishes can wait until morning but the kitchen (and bathroom) floors must be swept or mopped.

Now, if I could just figure out a way to organize my every growing collection of knitting yarns,needles and patterns. And then there is the jewelry making "stuff".

[Woodpecker]

lindy, you bringing up jewelry got me thinking! I'm a hot mess in that department! I have one large jewelry box on my dresser and separate "special good" jewelry in their original boxes, gold chains, bracelets and Then there's a separate box for good earrings.

On the inside of my closet door I have hooks that beaded jewelry hangs on. Now in my closet is an old jewelry box that looks like an old chest and in that box are all my oldies from my hippie days feather earrings, lots of beaded earrings and necklaces, ankle bracelets, hair feather clips that used to hand from my long hair, and lots of pins that I used to wear. I still love those but since they're hidden and I really don't go out all that much, I never wear them. I can't bare to give any of them away. Silly I know...

[lindy]

Woodpecker,Now in my closet is an old jewelry box that looks like an old chest and in that box are all my oldies from my hippie days
I'm imaging that's more of a treasure chest! I wouldn't get rid of those memories either. Organizing the jewelry making supplies is a project and I think I'm going to thin them out as I really don't make much these days.

[Woodpecker]

Yup lindy, That chest that's filled with jewelry, some from what I wore at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, were treasured by my daughter as much as me. I don't have it in me to discard them...too many precious memories are in there. Those were the days my friend! Peace & love

[stickinthemud]

Knowing how emotional connections to Things can stall organizing*, I started to suggest to Woodpecker that she might consider donating at least her Woodstock-linked items to a museum. Then I went online to look for an appropriate museum. Wow, first places Google took me seem polar opposites:

www.bethelwoodscenter.org/museum

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (The Museum at Bethel Woods) website is slick and professional. From their website:"If you have an item to donate to The Museum’s permanent collection, please contact Robin Green at [e-mail]. If you can attach a photo of your item, that would be appreciated. Please DO NOT bring your item to the Museum without first contacting us."

Or:

www.woodstockmuseum.com/interns.html

Woodstock Museum website is bare bones and definitely in the spirit of the "Woodstock Nation".
"See first hand sustainable energy in the living museum. The truth about organics, solar energy, marijuana and questioning authority. How to own land in common, work less, create more music & art, build your own, and Native American imperatives."

Really a contrast. I withdraw my suggestion.

*Woodpecker, I know how hard it is to part with Things that have far less emotional connection than these have for you. Bless you and whatever you do.

[Woodpecker]

stickinthemud, Thanks so much for the above information...Oh how I wish I had known about these places. My daughter, especially was so excited that her mamma went to Woodstock. Son and daughter made a yearly trip to Woodstock for years. The little town is totally still a hippie town. Theres a store there named CANDLESTOCK where we buy drip candles from and had gone in there numerous times. Not many know that Woodstock Festival wasn't really in Woodstock, but in Bethel.Check out the candle pic on CANDLESTOCK of their drip candle, must be over 6' tall!

We have two huge drip candles on the coffee table in the living room. One got so tall is toppled over and we started it again. It was the one son bought for his sister on Christmas. We started it again and it's huge and so is the other one. We are so careful when near that coffee table, don't want any to topple over.

Those items in the chest wouldn't really add much to the museum, the jewelry I wore, some of which was home made.

I'm sure going to get my son to take me there one of these days. Oh how I wish I knew about it when my daughter and son could have gone!

Thanks again for letting me know about those places, much appreciated!

[susannah]

Woodpecker , I think it's wonderful that you kept all your old jewelry! I sure wish I had! And homemade jewelry is a treasure! While I did keep some of my jewelry - including a few homemade pieces - it's just a fraction of what I had. What I wouldn't give right now to have some of it back - the hairpipe chokers and quill earrings that I learned to make from some of my elders, the rings with agate and other stones that I bought on trips out west in my late teens/early 20's... I'd love to touch those memory pieces again, and my girly-girl Amelia would be in jewelry heaven.

I do display some of what I have left - beaded hatbands and necklaces are draped over parts of mirror frames along with some newer creations - jewelry made by my grandchildren, including a "princess necklace" made by Miss Amelia last year. Maybe you could use some of your jewelry in displays so you can see it and smile at the memories - and even if you're not going anywhere you can wear some of it and enjoy it (assuming it's not too delicate; I've had strings break and hot messes occur).

I looked up Candlestock a few months ago when you mentioned it, and wow those drip candles do bring back memories! I really need to order a few for my grandchildren.

[Woodpecker]

susannah, your dear Granddaughter would especially love the drip candle, I think. So much fun and relaxing to watch the drips! Megan really did take after her mom. She was most avant-garde in 12 th grade year book. Always dared to be different like me🙂

I do still wear some of my feather earrings, but those that my daughter bought me. I still dare to be different. I used to have a poster on my bulletin board at work of a chicken with a real hair comb stuck on the top of its head, looked like a silly rooster. It said below it “ dare to be different” also on my desk a wooden small piece that said “ keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you’re up to” 😉

I love that you drape your precious old beaded jewels over mirror frames! Of course Amelias too.

I believe you were/ are a turquoise jewelry lover, me too! Now that I don’t work I don’t wear nearly as many jewels as I used to. I keep on a good ring I purchased with my first full time job paycheck. On the same left hand on my middle finger is my mothers, small diamond wedding ring that I put on in the hospital when she had her last stroke. That was in 2011 and on my right ring finger a black onyx, gold ring that Meg bought for me.

Funny, a few years ago I went to my cousin and friends Polish Day party. She was one that went to Woodstock with me. She noticed immediately that I had on my old ring and was astonished! She always loved that ring as much as I did, it’s my birth stone and hers too, Aquarius. Thanks for getting me going on these good, fun memories.