organize my office

It’s only gotten worse. I’ve accumulated more recipes to try, more crafting supplies now that I’m quilting, and more knick-knacks as I’ve redecorated some areas of my apartment. I need to get on this.

I’m so silly sometimes. I act like stationery is sacred or something and don’t dare to use it. I had accumulated all kinds of index cards (don’t know why—seemed reasonable and necessary at the time). I’ve been using them as handy kitchen scratch paper to scale down recipes. That seems a little wasteful to me but the fact is that if I wait for a better use to come along, I’ll never use them and that would be far more wasteful. So, I’ve given myself permission to use up every bit of paper and cardstock I own for any use whatsoever instead of hoarding like a demented miser. With this new strategy I’m gradually reducing the ponds of paper in my office.

I got about half the mess sorted through. I bought boxes to store Christmas and holiday decorations and craft supplies, etc. (after first taking stock of what I needed to store and how much space each category occupied). Those boxes are now filled and in my office closet. There’s room to walk on the floor but there are still deep ponds of paper and office supplies to leap over.

I found that I had accumulated a lot of stuff since I moved into my own place. It’s truly stuff I want to keep, but it’s no wonder the office is such a mess. Some of the stuff I keep in my office would be more appropriately stored in a basement or garage; since I have neither, my office is stuffed to the gills.

Another part of the mess is my recipe collection. I know how I want to purge and organize it but there’s only so much time.

Unfortunately, I’m starting my summer class just after Memorial Day so I’m doubtful I’ll get to this again for at least a couple more months. I wish I were the kind of person who could do a little bit at a time (the babysteps that FlyLady recommends) but if I divide the job into itsy bitsy steps then they don’t seem important enough to do. I end up planning but not implementing, and there’s little point to that. I just have to work with my personality rather than fighting against my natural inclinations. Granted, the office will be a wreck a while longer, but one day I really will graduate. Until then, I’ll keep the office door closed.

I checked out an organization book from the library and got some ideas that I’m eager to try out. I want to get that room whipped into shape. I’m tired of trying to find things in that disaster. Also, I’d love it if the exterminator could get in there to spray for a change.

I’ve set aside two weekend dates towards the end of January to accomplish this goal. I hope that turns out to be enough time. I think I may need to invest in some kind of shelves/cubbies that hang on the wall in both my office and kitchen in order to maximize space.

The room is a dumping grounds and has been for a year plus (ever since moving in). About a month ago I got rid of a bunch of books by reselling them at a bookstore—not exactly a money maker BTW, but at least those books aren’t cluttering my home anymore. I also started sorting things out, but then I stopped to decorate for Christmas; now it’s even worse than before.

I’ve designated a weekend in January to get to it. I need to declutter and organize. I need to LET GO of things I haven’t used even if some day “I might need it.” That stuff isn’t doing me any favors cluttering up my life.

As far as storage, it really is a challenge—it’s a small room with lots of furniture and little closet or wall space. I can’t stand the way it is now, but I’m also not looking forward to all the decisions to be made.

Even if I do get the stuff stowed, it won’t be a very attractive place. Ideally, I’d like the office to be welcoming not just a storage cubicle. Well, one step at a time. I need to start with functional and move on to appearance later or else the whole task will be too daunting to even start.