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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:
tigana · 02/02/2012 21:08

I use a Dodo pad as a diary. I started last year. They have page a week, with 5 columns (like those family calendars). So I had column each for me, DH and DS and one for work appointments (and a spare...which is now DDs)
Opposite each weekly page is a blank(ish) page which you can use for scribbling notes, numbers, shopping lists, reminders etc.
I use the small one, so it fits in bag nicely.
It definitely helped last year.

tigana · 02/02/2012 21:11

dodopad

Abirdinthehand · 02/02/2012 21:28

I'm still a filofax addict, mine is my LIFE. And I like being able to move pages, throw them away, refil it, not having to copy out addresses etc each year, being able to punch non-filofax paper to fit...

Tip about plastic tupperware. Our cupbaord is always chaos and I can never find the lid to go with the box, they are all stacked up inside each other (to save space) but the lids get mixed un in a heap. I culled the collection, so the boxes all fit in the cupbaord with the lids ON. It sounds wierd, as it wastes so much space, but it saves SO much time to just be able to grab the right size.

Mobeena · 03/02/2012 05:55

I have a Personal size Filofax which was great at keeping things all in one place but got to be so fat, the rings wouldn't shut. Use a large 18 month Moleskine diary for every day which is a week to view. Got a red Moleskine day a page for Xmas which I am going to use as a work planner and now the Collins for home planning and detail.

Yes, I love diaries. Also purchased a bills organizer on Etsy...

NotAnOstrich · 03/02/2012 08:04

Hi,
just wanted to say hello and a big thanks to all on this thread. Been following it for a while as I am the extremely disorganised mother of two toddler DCs and need all the help I can get! Loads of great tips, thanks especially to LeQueen and HelenaGrace up thread.

A tip from me is a laundry basket with three sections, colours, white and darks. When one section is full it goes in the machine. Saves lots of time sorting colours from whites on the kitchen floor previously. Sounds like a small thing but I LOVE IT! My basket has detachable sections with handles to be carried straight downstairs. Will usually carry one section down at the end of the day, leave it next to the washer. Then really quick to fill the washer and switch on first thing next morning even if half asleep!

Someone asked what their DCs could help with? Mine are 3.4 and 1.5 so not too much! But DS age 3.4 does helps put clothes into the laundry basket, he likes choosing if his vest goes into "whites" etc. Best success with the children is occupying them while I am hoovering. They each have an empty kitchen roll tube and run around the room making vacuum noises, very funny.

Good luck to everyone with cold weather and thanks again.

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 15:16

am loving this thread. Going to have another read up later as I haven't been online for a couple of days.

Do any of you have any suggestions of a 'day book'? something that will hold a diary and then some space at the back to hold filing/letters etc? I think somebody mentioned one up thread but I can't seem to find it at the min (and I'm at work so don't have time to read the whole thread!)

have downloaded the homeroutines app for iphone and am going to make a start this weekend! I'm usually fairly organised but every so often it comes on top and I'm in the middle of a mess and need a big sort out which of course takes ages. I want to get even more organised so this stops happening

TimeWasting · 03/02/2012 15:36

ObviouslyNot, Filofax would suit that, you can get plastic envelopes that go in them perfect for keeping letters etc.

countessbabycham · 03/02/2012 17:21

If you work I find its good to ensure that before a school holiday starts,you have childcare arranged/annual leave booked ready for the next holidays.

So,before half term I aim to have my childcare sorted for Easter.

It means I can juggle family holidays and book annual leave before its "too booked up",and spot any gaps where I need nursery/CM.I also keep my eyes open for any activities so I'm ready to book them,if necessary before the last minute stampede.

MeltedChocolate · 03/02/2012 17:36

I agree with filofax. I keep letters I need in mine. For example, I had an appointment. I kept the letter for it in the back of the filofax till it was over then I filed it away.

I luffs mine. I even named her :o

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 19:08

Thanks for the replies and the tip about childcare is great

I do have an iPhone and religiously put everything in it and check it at least once a day but I still think I could benefit fr something that could hold passwords important numbers etc-sod security-I've had to request new passwords about three times recently in as many weeks

I did have a quick look at the filofax website and it's a shame because you can't really get a feel for them if you know what I mean. What size do you all use? And where do you buy them

I think I would like at least an A5 but would also consider an a4 as that would fit quite a bit more in. It may not be too big at present as I'm still carrying a tent of a bag around with all the nappy changing gear in it

While I'm here, does anybody have a copy of the master list? I did email ohdearnigel but she's prob not online. I have a child free weekend and am keen to get started!

Now off to read the rest of the thread :)

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 19:12

Also love the laundry tip a few posts above. Know only too well the sorting of dirty washing on the kitchen floor scenario

virgil · 03/02/2012 19:32

Ohdearnigel could I have the masterlist please!!!!

NotAnOstrich · 03/02/2012 20:43

Hi ObviouslyNot, I could send you the copy of the master list I got from OhDearNigel if you like? PM me your email address.

NotAnOstrich · 03/02/2012 21:40

Had a mini success with timekeeping this week due to a tip from here so thought I would pass it on! I am late A LOT (all the time) and was before kids too so I'm hoping this is the start of new good habits.

So a post on this thread helped me realise that I don't realistically factor in time for all the things I have to do BEFORE leaving the house. Especially in winter with extra layers for the DCs. They suggested to work back from the meeting time and work out a time to leave the house etc (I also worked out a time to start putting outdoor clothes on). Then "feel late" when THIS time has passed - even though it is a while until your appointment, by your own calculations you are already late. I know it is obvious to people who are on time, but it has helped me out.

I did this for DS's preschool drop off and it worked! Old me: need to be there at 9, start getting DCs into buggy at 8.45, arrive late about 9.25. Oops. New me: start getting coats on at 8.10, into buggy at 8.25, leave 8.35, arrive on time!

Thankyou MNers!

pepperrabbit · 03/02/2012 22:08

I have a lovely lovely new filofax following reading this thread. i had an old one my mum bought me when I started work at 18...I'll be 43 on monday! Anyway it wasn't big enough, didn't have fastener or a pen holder, but simply couldn't cope with a life with 3DCs + DH + job + house etc.
I had a marvellous time choosing a new one Smile
I have a personal size Finsbury in red, it's bloody lovely and smells of new leather I searched quite a lot and bought new via Amazon for about £32 - they're roughly £40 or £45 with postage on ebay or the filofax website so i was dubious it might not be "right". But it has everything I wanted and is big enough.
I am so pleased with it

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 22:13

have sent you a pm NotAnOstrich, hope I haven't missed you! thank you

glad you had success with your timekeeping this week. I'm not too bad with timekeeping generally although have wobbled a bit over the last two weeks - purely because I'm in the middle of my everything is in a muddle and a mess phase and I can't seem to find anything I need to get out of the door in time. Anyway this weekend will put paid to that!

I'm going to have a look at amazon now pepperrabbit - i'm v jealous of your new filofax, sounds lovely. but what is personal size? bigger or smaller than A5? Did you have to spend on top of your £32 for diary/note pages etc?

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 22:16

aha-just having a look now, looks like it's A5 size. looks lovely

pepperrabbit · 03/02/2012 22:19

personal is prob a bit smaller than full on A5. The actual filofax is probably A5 size so the sheets are smaller IYSWIM. it came with a diary, dividers, lots of pretty note paper, financial pages, addresses a plastic thing for credit cards. it has a zippy pocket along one side and slots on the other
It was called something like "filofax personal for paper" which seemed an odd description which is why I wasn't quite sure till it arrived.

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 22:25

thanks pepperrabbit. just having a look now. I just still can't decide if I would prefer an A4. I know it sounds crazy getting one so big but I do have a lot of paperwork that I would like to carry round to so I think the A4 may be better for that?

think I will be having a look in a store tomorrow (and then order online of course!)

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 22:47

just having a look now. think the A4 is too big

ObviouslyNot · 03/02/2012 22:48

just got your email thanks so much!

NotAnOstrich · 03/02/2012 22:49

Hi ObviouslyNot, email sent to you, have a fun organising weekend!

NotAnOstrich · 03/02/2012 22:50

Sorry for the cross-posting!

SparkySparrow · 04/02/2012 09:24

Hi, just trying to catch up. Not been here for a few days. I am a serious lurker on this thread Grin . Slowly I'm getting there!

Is there now a master list? If so could someone send it to me please?
I did try to make my own list but I'm not quite there yet!

nettie · 04/02/2012 11:02

Can somebody send me the master list please Smile