It is no secret that I have been trying to find ways to get organized for a long time – perhaps my whole life. Laugh all you want, it is true. Heck, I laugh at it. I have done the “Household Notebook” and now have another paperweight thanks to that short-lived project. I just recently bought a composition book/journal and titled it “Kim’s Latest Attempt at Trying to Get and Stay Organized”. I can tell you that it isn’t going so well either. So when I heard that Stephanie O’Dea, queen of gluten-free crock pot cooking, had a new book on getting organized, I figured I didn’t have much to lose and I would be supporting someone I love at the same time.
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The book, Totally Together: Shortcuts to an Organized Life, seemed to be created just for me – the calendar starts in September and goes through August, so no time like the present to get started! I love this quote on page 3:
“clean less and play more”
My kind of philosophy – I am liking this book already!
Stephanie makes some excellent points in the first few pages. I am going to highlight some that I found very important to understand before beginning:
“In order to start getting your house in order, you need to start getting your house in order”
“Do not alphabetize the spice cabinet if you have a mountainous pile of dishes in the sink”
“Instead of trying to do too much all at once, let’s focus on establishing a daily routine and enlisting help from the entire family.”
And this about sums it up:
“When your house is on fire, don’t stop to weed the flower bed.”
Okay, time to get down to it. I liked Stephanie’s approach to attacking the problem – bits & pieces. Start by trying to working to complete the “Daily 7”. These 7 chores are simple, yet often go undone because I used to feel that if I couldn’t clean the whole room the way I wanted, why bother with a part? Well, it appears that I should have been bothering! LOL! Making the bed, wiping down the bathroom as I am getting ready, picking up for just 10 minutes before bed…. Those things seem so simple. And they are, once they become habit. I love the layout of the calendar with the “Daily 7” checklist and then other suggested chores, along with a spot to write down what is going on for the week.
The way the calendar is laid out, Stephanie gives tips & reminders to start thinking about upcoming dates & events. I can see this really being helpful to me around the holidays when I really tend to get overwhelmed.
While this isn’t a quick fix, and I truly believe that there aren’t any quick fixes, it is a lifestyle change. Lifestyle changes lead to lifelong habits. Much like eating healthy. Eating healthy is a lifestyle change/choice, not something you do for a short period of time to get to a certain point & then revert to old habits. The method in this book is doable, which is a key component for me.
I have been following the “lifestyle change” now for about 1.5 weeks. I managed to complete 75% of the suggested items in Week 1 and about 90% of the “Daily 7” items. Week 2 is going better and instead of throwing my hands up in the air and quitting when I slack, I just get back on the wagon & continue from where I left off. There are days that fall apart, but that is life. Tomorrow is a new day and the beauty in that is starting with a clean slate. We are all human and we all make mistakes. We can dwell on them and criticize ourselves or we can learn from them and move forward.
Now for the best part! One of my lucky readers will win a copy of “Totally Together”!! All you have to do is follow the instructions provided by Rafflecopter below.
My son and me, November 2000. This is before we were gluten-free/diagnosed Celiac.
I love her 365 Crock pot books and website… and I could definitely use help with the house – I would love to be "Totally Together"!!
My biggest challenge is my bedroom closet…2 people in an overcrowded -jam packed closet! No where for clothes and no way to find them when you need them!
Have been living in chaos for way too many years! I long for order! I am ready!
Mine by far is my craft supplies. I really don't have that much time to craft or sew, but I have so many ideas and so many things I've picked up and don't want to part with! I know the answer is probably "get rid of some" or "bigger house" but it'd be nice to have a portable hole instead. Does Stephanie's book come with one of those?
Oh man, I really need this. My biggest challenge is getting started! I always focus on cleaning the kitchen, lose momentum and never get any other room done.
I have the hardest time just getting started!! Would love some great tips!
Sounds like a great plan!
I keep things pretty clean, but usually struggle with my closets! They are "hidden", so no one can see, which makes it easier to leave them a mess! haha
Just what I needed t hear about today!
My biggest organization challenge is getting started, and the longer I wait the worst it gets
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
My biggest challenge is starting and then no finishing.
Right now my challenge is my pile of gluten free recipes I have been gathering for a few months, and my filing cabinet that is spilled out onto the floor
Sounds familiar!
My biggest challenge is keeping all my small business paper work organized.
I can only imagine! Paper is my biggest enemy!
I spend way too much time trying to find things.. Sure could use that book!
Already like your site on facebook
My biggest challenge is that if I can't do the whole entire thing and do it perfectly, I feel defeated and don't even begin.
Me too!!
My biggest organizing challenge is my painting/scrapbooking/sewing/fly fishing/linen closet/school room, that is a mouthful it almost looks as cluttered as the real thing!
My biggest organization challenge is trying to coordinate meals with my hubby's crazy schedule and the kids' crazy schedules, all of which don't allow much of a window to have family meals.
My biggest challenge is keeping up with the clutter. Once I get into the cleaning mode it's easy to clean it up, but need to stay on top of it better.
I need to be more organized… I WANT to be more organized. But my perfectionist tendencies are my biggest hurdle in being more organized. Simply put, if I can't do it all perfectly it's like I stall out and can't make any progress on it. This sounds like a great approach. The book is also super affordable on Amazon!
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Always looking for new ways to organize my life – thanks!!
I've been following Stephanie for years too. I want the book and think I'm going to try to find it in the book store this weekend.
I found you from a link at Gluten Free Detroit Metro's Meet & Greet. http://glutenfreedetroitmetro.com/2011/09/09/meet…
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My biggest challenge is my kitchen. It's the dumping grounds for the whole family–all 6 of us! Bills, school work, newspapers and magazines, recipes, fliers…the clutter is endless!
I need help organizing all the paperwork for five kids!
I lose steam before I start — sorta like not being able to run a marathon because I can't make it down to the end of the driveway so why start? Or bailing out a row boat in the middle of a thunderstorm. That's my biggest issue w/getting organized (or started) The book looks great!
Cleaning out the old clothes so I can get the current ones in the closets and dressers!
I love, love, love this book, and feel so blessed to have won it!!! I am already on my way to becoming more organized!! Thank you so much!!
So glad to hear!!