Control Journal

What is it? A control journal is your own personal manual and a place to keep track of your routines. Can be a lifesaver in the case of an emergency.

Your control journal will grow with you, its a progress.

It can take many forms for ex. a scrapbook, notebook, binder, notepads, dividers, etc.

Uses and why you have one: You may want to divide it into 2-- for ex. one to leave at home and one to take with you. It can be used as a brain dump, contains information for your family (could be useful if you were sick or anything happenned to you). Its a back-up or safety net.

Note: Make it special-- think of it as a positive item--make it pretty and colorful- include pictures, mementos, calenders, quotes or poems you enjoy, motivate you, inspire you, and provide encouragement.

Some possible topics to include:
To do list (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly)
Daily Routines
Weekly Routines
Chore lists
Zone Cleaning lists
Meal Plans (with spare paper for shopping lists)
Recipes
A Year Planner/ Calender- note for ex. appointments, school events, etc.
Address Book section for useful numbers (emergency numbers)
Insurance information
Important dates to remember (birthdays/anniversarys, etc.)
Packing lists

Control Journal or Binder

This will be a re-occuring topic in the next couple of weeks.

What is it?
How to set one up?
Sample topics to include?
Why have one?
Uses?

Spring Cleaning....

Well in some places Spring has sprung, while I look out my window and I see piles upon piles of snow still. It doesn't feel very spring like, thats for sure.

How do you go about organizing once a year or even twice a year cleaning projects?

Where to start about decorating?

Before one begins decorating their room there are a few things to take into consideration and a few questions to answer.
Firstly, what is the focus or focal point of the room, for example decorative moldings or a fireplace.

What are the sources of natural light in the room?

Do you like cool colors (recede) or warm colors (advance)?
Do you want a cozy room?

Consider size of room, measure the room, windows, doorways?

Keep in mind, space, size, and furniture placement?

What is the mood or theme you want to create in the room?

Remember your room should have a unique personality and qualities!

Make a book or scrap book of inspirational pictures, colors, fabric samples.Find inspiration!

Minimizing and downsizing into small apartments

Some people mention that downsizing can be freeing, well this is true but its conditional on the fact you must be willing to minimize your possessions to fit the space. Get rid of items no longer used or needed. Donate items if possible.

Another important tip is to also downsize your furniture. Nothing will make a small space, feel smaller than over sized furniture that is to big and bulky for the apt.

Although, downsizing is key, maximize every square inch of space is just as important. Use the space you do have wisely by maximizing efficiency and storage space, for example using the backs of doors, storage ottomans, under bed and couch space.

Remember to think vertical storage (bookshelves to the ceiling). Be creative, use hat boxes (try to get similar patterns and colors for uniformity).

Multi-tasking furniture such as coffee tables with extra storage shelves, or a day bed.

The ultimate small space is dorm living.

3 Reasons Why you Haven't Gotten Organized

There are so many reasons why people don't get organized, it is difficult to touch on them all but here are a few common reasons why people don't get organized.

1. Give yourself permission to live free from possessions and unwanted gifts or items. Clear out your life and all the things you own.

2. Take the time to organize. You need to spend time on organizing, if you don't then you won't be organized. You need to invest some time and energy.

3. Learn to delegate, which is a vital skill for organizing your time, chores, errands, and even work items. One person can't do it all, all the time.

Rules to live by:

There are 3 goals to live by when considering organizing:

1. Touch things once.... Don't put it off for a second chance, when you can do it once.

2. Keep items and belongings together.... Group like items together. For ex. keep all hair products together, or in the kitchen, keep all baking supplies together in one cupboard.

3. Organize only one space at a time.... don't try to do too much at one time. Take it slow, organizing is a process, with no end point, instead its a process that takes time.