keep my apartment clean and organized

• started washing dishes each day
• started keeping my laundry under control

This really makes a big difference, because in the course of doing these things, I tend to just neaten up in general. So each advance is really more than just itself, it’s a change in my mindset and my lifestyle that makes other advances easier.

Man, I suck at this! I get busy, and when I’m not busy, I’m lazy….grrrr….must try harder. Maybe just a good deep clean this weekend, which isn’t very likely considering the fact that I’m working….we’ll see…

By taking on just 1 challenge per day, I’m off to a great start in getting fully organized. I’ve managed to tackle my closets, my bathroom vanity, my bag collection, and my jewelry. I’ve been keeping my kitchen clean by washing every dish the second I’m finished with it. I’ve also figured out a laundry schedule so that I can time my drop off service with the things I wash myself. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I’m off to a really good start. A big part of this is because I haven’t been working such crazy hours the past week, but at least I’m utilizing the time wisely. Now, I just need to keep doing at least one thing per day and I should have it all together within a few more weeks.
Anyone can get organized for a week or two, I want to make sure this sticks.

Everything in my life seems so much better when my apartment is spotless. Knowing this, one would think that I’d make it a priority to keep up on it. Well, not so much. Between work, the dog, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a social life, cleanliness and order seem to take a back seat. I have much larger goals, so I am hoping that starting with something simple like keeping my apartment clean will build up some momentum for the more challenging goals. We’ll see….

As I was getting ready to move out of my last apartment, I realized that I had never really gotten around to decorating (or, in some cases, even unpacking!!). I always seemed to view that place as temporary. So now that I’ve moved to a new place in a new city, I’m excited to make my apartment my own, while also keeping it neat, clean, and together. I have to spend a little time this weekend getting rid of the extra mess from the move (empty boxes, newspaper from things that had been wrapped, that sort of thing..)
I hope to always be prepared for when someone stops by. Fingers crossed. :)

I’ve been so bad about this lately! The laundry is piled up, there’s dishes in the sink, and my shower needs scrubbing. There are about 5 pairs of shoes in the livingroom, and mail, makeup, and jewelry piled on my dresser, kitchen table, and bathroom counter. I don’t like things to be messy, especially since I live in such a small apartment, but I’m not that good at routine cleaning. I’ll go on a “cleaning rampage” every so often instead. Still, if someone was to stop by my house today I’d be embarassed. I just really need to start cleaning a little bit every day.

From Apartment Therapy by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan:

“I used to think of home as the place where we cook, eat, and sleep. I now understand it as a force that shapes our daily lives. More than just a physical shelter, the home is both a second skin that protects us from the world outside and an emotional center that nourishes us and supports our innermost dreams…Your home is the one space on earth that you can call your own. You owe it to yourself to make it as beautiful, organized and healthy as you can.

By taking care of your home, you are taking care of yourself. A healthy home will nurture and support you. Although professional psychotherapy can take years to bring about change, improving your home has an instant therapeutic effect. No matter how big or small, the changes make a resounding difference in the way you think and feel about yourself.”

Every week my apartment ends up being a filthy mess. This makes me feel disorganized, and I’m generally happier when it is clean and I can actually find the things I need right away without having to dig for them. I want to accomplish this goal by doing:
1. 20 minutes of tidying up each weeknight
2. laundry every weekend
3. dishes every time I dirty them
4. pick out my outfits the night before, so that I’m not tempted to throw clothes on the floor

I am STILL not yet at the point of KEEPING my apt clean and organized, I am still working on GETTING it clean and organized! LOL

Today was sweeping, REALLY sweeping the floors, moving furniture, going under the bed, all that. We threw out a huge green garbage bag and put a pile of cardboard boxes in the recycling. Also, mum and I rearranged some furniture (swapping a few pieces from her place) so that I have more storage. The cat is confused, poor baby, but she will adapt.

I am no where NEAR done, but I can see areas of organization and I like what I see. I am tuckered out, my back is killing me, and I can see a difference in here, which kinda makes it worth the pain.

This ‘thing’ is really what I want to accomplish. Other goals are steps along the way to get me to the point of being able to KEEP my apt clean and organized. I need to GET to that point first and then KEEP it there! :-)