Can you help me become more organised.......?

[Jackaroo]

A very short time ago I started getting better at not hoarding, and throwing things out. I chucked out bin bag after bin bag of stuff, and by the time DS was born felt that I could start to see the wood for the trees..

I found very good ways of coping with initial baby time, 18 months ago.. extra linen bins everywhere, got a dishwasher, etc etc.. but now I'm back to where I used to be. ie tons of "stuff" - paper, toys etc, and no where to put anything. I've just about got the living room into "adult only" shape, and the toys are back lurking in there because I've so little roomin our other reception room that DS can't actually play in there....... I thought that when I moved into this fixer-upper house (4 years ago)I could get it "useful". I've had fitted cupboards put in living room, our bedroom and on the landing, there's a new kitchen (which I swear holds less than the old 70's one), and I think I probably would be OK, if I had remained DS-less....
I want to get better storage, so it's all where we use it, but I feel as if I cannot start on any one room because I never get to the bottom of it, and it takes so long.
e.g. did major blitz on 2nd bedroom because parents are coming to stay, which entailed putting bags of small baby clothes, toys, and "stuff" in landing cupboard, which I'd just emptied to start moving linen etc into (it's original purpose).

Am I destined to just keep buying new toy boxes, book shelves etc, until I'm sitting in a tight corner with DS surrounded by handy IKEA fittings. I can't afford to spend any more on the house, and in theory there is room. But I've more paper than filing space and more toys/clothes/bassinet/dollshouse than we've cupboards, and when it comes to clothes I am holding on to most of them in case we have another child, or incase I finally go down one more size (or go up several....).
All help/guidance to helpful people/websites gratefully received.
Just writing it down has helped actually!

Many thanks....
J
xx

PS I am also the keeper of the family stuff now my parents are o/seas, which means several boxes of stuff which I just can't throw out, but don't want to stash ad infinitum when no-one can see any of it, will look at it, til DS is 25 and complaining about having to take it on...!!

Sounds like you need the FLylady threads (see the Flylady website - very american, but get past that and some great ideas). Also, why are you looking after your family's stuff? Can they not put it into storage somewhere?

If you go into the actual Good Housekeeping topic, several of the top threads are FLY threads, just investigate.

Thanks Jackie - I'll have a look. I've glanced at the flylady stuff on here, but it looks like a group of friends, and I don't want to gatecrash!! Also, don't know if it's just ongoing stuff rather than big blitz stuff which is what I think I need at the moment ... I aspire to only needing a daily list.

As to storing family stuff - don't even ask.. major emotional stuff, would be seen as not doing my part/eldest so get landed/ etc etc... don't have the strength to tackle that one right now...although might bring it up in a sidelong way whilst they're here this week.... I have a lot of family stuff which is great - dining room furniture really, and I guess this is part of the QPQ

oh flylady would do either

but you don't have to join in any of the fly threads to do it - I do it, and I don't

just sign up at the website

Do you have a loft?

Jackaroo - I think they're only 'friends' because they've been doing the FLYlady stuff for a while - I think the idea is that it's too overwhelming to do everything all at once - might feel good to get it done, but then you're so exhausted by doing it, you don't do anything at all for ages, and then it all gets on top of you again. Her approach is to do regular chunks of stuff, including clearing clutter, and by giving you a couple of daily 'tasks' to do (that only take 15 minutes), you gradually clear all the stuff, and get into routines that mean you keep on top of it.

Gosh that's long, sorry. And it's not as if I even practise what I preach! Good luck with it though.

Jackaroo, I have been following the "fly" threads for the past week and find them really helpful. I am housework phobic but hate it and have enjoyed the little jobs everyday and feel better for it. I don't join in the chat (maybe I should ) but just check the thread each morning for the link.

It does help - honest!

Jackeroo, i'm on the flylady thread, i only joined a couple of months ago,everyone is welcome we're not cliquey/scary .. most of us don't do the whole flylady thing .. control journal ?? Pah ! I spend most of my time on there talking about what i'm not doing tbh, but when i do need motivation its brilliant ..setting a timer for 15 mins .. its staggering the amount of stuff you can get done

Be nice to see you on there !

That goes for Bernie and anyone else as well

and apologies for everyone reading my inane drivel !

Ok, well, I'll using this morning to try and get prepared and accept that it won't all go at once ... I've also sent site to best friend who I know has similar problems.. safety in numbers :-)

I like hte idea of using a timer and just doing 15 minutes of whatever...

Still not entirely sure though. Toys are decluttered for example, broken bits of plastic/too young toys have gone, but no space for current ones which seem to take up so much room (easel, bricks, train lines etc). Poor DS hardly had any toys for a while, I've gone a bit bizerk with the big stuff, but it's wonderful, he loves all of it and uses it every day... Also, buggies?! Still use big buggy for walking to work/nursery as it's so much more comfy for him, and easier to push, but now have small (compact huh!) buggie, and tricycle..

We have loft space Bozza, but very weird roof (V-shaped so 2-3 different spaces and 4 different loft hatches) so can't fit very big things in it. DB upthe road has opposite, v. big loft space, have just asked if he'll take the bassinet and dolls house - yes - result! Thanks guys.. jsut thinking out loud helps!

lol @ way too much typing when I could have been meeting yaddayah and Bernie!! Afternoon!

Ok, maybe I'll take the plunge -

Oooh Yaddayah - may post later then! Shall we also see you there Jackaroo???

i'll make sure i'm on my best behaviour then !!!

Um, yes, definitely, once I've finished making everything ship shape in the bedroom for my parents who arrive in a bit... oh, and once I've got back from work, and fed DS etc etc etc arrghhh!!

Lovely to meet you all today though!

Bernie & Jackaroo - I'm on the FLY threads but mostly go on to check the daily mission and say Hi. I have a 6 month old so housework gets done in fits & starts. Started flylady when i was pregnant and it did make a difference. 15 mins here and there helps. I dont make big to do lists as they depress me although I've I've done a bit one day I might post it so someone tells me well done

Big de-clutters can be done....just takes a bit of time.