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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask how you become organised and together? Seriously how??

803 replies

inatrance · 01/01/2012 23:17

This is a question for any of you who used to be disorganised/flaky and are now organised and sorted. I have been like this for so long and I drive myself and everyone around me crackers. I'm unbelievably forgetful, I am late a lot and I'm rubbish with finances. I'm so fed up of cringing because I'm so bloody rubbish and make stupid mistakes all the time! Sad

I've got an 8mth DS and a 10yo DD and while I've always had disorganised tendencies, since I had DS, it's gone from bad to ridiculous and I feel like I am constantly trying to catch up with myself.

I'm self employed (which is for the best as even I'd have sacked me by now) and have somehow managed to run my businesses haphazardly over the last ten years without fucking up too massively. Well, not often anyway... Blush

Well, no more, I've had enough. I am using the New Year to kick me up the arse and I need your help.

If you used to be crap and are now brilliant and incredibly organised, please, please tell me how you did it. What changed in your mind and where the hell did you start?

OP posts:
Original poster
inatrance · 01/02/2012 20:56

Thank you so much OhDearNigel! What a great resource that list is! Smile

OP posts:
MyDingaling · 01/02/2012 21:09

Thanks for the list Nigel.
I am going to go through it and make another list that fits with our family and our needs.
Thanks x

Pip2 · 01/02/2012 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nettie · 01/02/2012 21:35

Have also PM you for master list Nigel.

MsCorleone · 01/02/2012 21:49

OhdearNigel thanks for the list, really lovely of you to sort it out Thanks

starrychime · 01/02/2012 22:15

Hello
Would you mind sending me the list as well please? I am in a new house, it's a new year and I WILL get organised Grin Have PM you Nigel - TIA.

OhdearNigel · 01/02/2012 22:20

No problems - will send out the list tomorrow. I have never felt so popular Grin

HoneyandHaycorns · 01/02/2012 22:39

Ohdearnigel - I have pm'd you too. Hope it worked - have never done a pm from my phone before!

TIA

Petrean · 01/02/2012 22:42

I've PM'd you too OhdearNigel.
Thank you! Smile

TerraNotSoFirma · 01/02/2012 22:44

Oooh I'd like the master list as well please.

TIA

sheepgomeep · 01/02/2012 23:19

Can I have the master list too please :-) thanks

sheepgomeep · 01/02/2012 23:29

Thanks mrscorleone. Im going to start doing that. And it would cut down on the arguments. . Going to star by buying tubs for laundry. And im also thinking of dumping my entire sock collec including the basket of odds and just starting again with an ordinated socks for all three girls.

sheepgomeep · 01/02/2012 23:30

Oh my God my phone is terrible.

TheJiminyConjecture · 01/02/2012 23:35

To save poor Nigel from PM overload, could anyone else with the master list please pass it on to me please? Promise to return the favour! Thanks

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 01/02/2012 23:37

Oh lord..... came back, to this post after a few weeks only to discover there is a MASTERLIST.

PUHLEASE may I have a copy, Oh beloved Ohdearnigel......................

Iheartpasties · 02/02/2012 05:23

We are moving real soon and we have had to keep a tidy flat due to viewings being held twice weekly for new/potential tenants. I will admit to having to stuff a lot of stuff away into cupboards willy nilly, but before the first viewing i managed to start to pack some things up and organise things that have really needed organising. Then it was just some stuff that was stuffed away. Then I have been chipping away slowly at the cupboards/drawers that had stuff stuffed into them. for me just having a clean slat helped no end, it somehow gave me energy to sort out the other bits (that had been stuffed into cupboards).

I am going to have so many routines and systems when we get into our new place i am excited and envigorated by the thought of it, i can see how just 5 mins here and there but every day will help us all to live in a decluttered flat! yey.

Deux · 02/02/2012 09:25

What a great thread! Am working my way through it. It's really strange as i say to myself, oh i'll have a cup of coffee and read a couple of pages. Couple of questions. What is this master list you all speak of as I've not got to that part yet?

Also, has anyone switched from filing paperwork in lever arch files to suspended files in a filing cabinet? I'm thinking of doing this as I think it will take up less space. Just not sure if I'll end up regretting it? It's just that most paperwork is filed and we barely look at it unless there's a problem. Would appreciate thoughts.

MeltedChocolate · 02/02/2012 10:23

Whoever asked if anyone has a collins diary - I have a filofax. Marvellous things! I spent a bit on it but I reckon in a year or so I will have paid it off with all the vouchers I store in it (I normally forget them and lose them until they are no longer valid!)

I have EVERYTHING in it. Shopping lists and menu plans, To do, all my financial notes, addresses, vouchers, stamps, normal diary, EVERYTHING!

Deux · 02/02/2012 11:06

Melted, what size Filofax do you have? I use one as a diary, it's the normal size one but I find it too small to have anything substantial in it. Tried using dh's old A4 one but found it too big ....... Just looking for the perfect solution I guess. I also use an A5 sized spiral notebook for lists etc. would like it all in one place.

TimeWasting · 02/02/2012 11:25

Deux, A5 Filofax here, got it for Christmas. (Clever Santa Wink)
I was basically wanting to combine diary and lists notebook, with added benefit of combined address book and total adaptability. I love it.

MeltedChocolate · 02/02/2012 14:19

I only have a pocket but i don't need any bigger. I keep all spare paper and 9 months of the diary in a separate packet to make extra space though. I only have current things in it. I am only a single mum of one child though. I would reccommend a personal size or A5 for you. it's also not for work stuff I should add so ifyou want yours for that too I would definitely suggest A5.

Flisspaps · 02/02/2012 14:21

It's all gone to tits here.

Feeling too knackered to do anything (31w pg and a todder on the loose) and the kitchen is too fucking cold to go into for more than a minute to even attempt to clean it.

It was so lovely for three weeks as well.

Am going to attempt to do some stuff tonight, and then get back on to it properly tomorrow. But for this afternoon, the sofa is calling.

MeltedChocolate · 02/02/2012 14:23

I have the same problem with cold kitchen and not wanting to go into it too fliss

Start again Fliss, little teeeeeny bits, and plenty sleep where you can!! x

bessie26 · 02/02/2012 15:14

would baking a cake warm the kitchen up? Grin

Flisspaps · 02/02/2012 15:29

I've got a chicken roasting for tea. Cake with the aroma of chicken isn't good. And it's too cold to stand in there to make the mix, even with the radiator on full AND the butter is solid.