Catch Up Time

     Attention! It's time to clean out the closets, fix things around the house and do those projects we put off because we didn't have the time. Well, this extended vacation isn't going to end soon so let's do it.

     First up, closet: the general rule is we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, ask yourself  "Will I really wear this again?" and don't kid yourself, that's how you got all this shit in the first place. Get three boxes for the clothes to store away, give away and throw away. Be ruthless, you will feel cleansed afterwards- trust me.

     Now if you choose to tackle the basement, attic, work room or home office, here's your battle plan so you are not overwhelmed. Start at one end of the room and work your way across. Stay in that room, that means keeping everything there until you are done for the day. If you find something that belongs somewhere else, put it in a box to be moved later. Don't let that box sit there forever either or I will personally come to your house and smack you. It's important to keep the project where you are or you will wander off in distraction and do some half ass organizing in another space or stop all together and get a drink (not a bad way to end any day). Don't try to do it all in one day, it's not a race, besides you'll need something to do tomorrow and tomorrow and. . 

      Fixing things. If you can't do it yourself hire someone, they need the money and you can have that second martini while they work. Even if you do know how to fix things, I highly recommend the videos by Adam Savage for advice on how to proceed. I may be the Queen of Organizing but he is the Master of How to Do It Right. Make a plan, do all the measuring first then gather your supplies together ( mise au place as they say in cooking) and take the time to do it right. There is nothing more satisfying then finally getting that pestering project done.

     In the past, we procrastinated for lack of time. The Big Stop is a way to get the time you wasted with working and not, you know, living. Now is the chance to put things in order so you will have time in the future to enjoy with family, loved ones and yourself.

  If you're not working, think of this as your job so you don't go stir crazy. Being active, moving around and generally being useful is a the best way to stay healthy.

    You have your orders soldier, now move it. That is all.

Adama Savage, organizing

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