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Organizing update post
I should probably cut this; not that many people read it. But still, for them what do:
This week marks the last week I'm supposed to be working on the basement. While that deadline will be blown to some degree - there are still things to put into different bins and storage to be rearranged - the spirit of the thing has been achieved if not the exact letter. I've gone through and assessed *every dang thing I had* down there, have donated roughly half of it to Team Wench or Freecycle, and tossed bunches of old crap. What remains is not just going into plastic bins but labeled plastic bins and stored in thematic groups. I've wrenched out old shelving and M has dismantled a huge old dresser, so it's really all done except the labeling and putting neatly away.
The next goal was supposed to be the bathroom... except that I still don't know what I want to do in the bathroom, while on the other hand the Container Store has put the shelving I want to use in the pantry on sale again. Plus, the pantry tasks, although a bit lengthy, are all known. (Basically, rip out shelving, rip out wallpaper, paint yellow, install new shelving, call it a day.) I'm going to let the Container Store do all the shelving decisions for me, so all I have to decide is what shade of yellow. Paint chips have been taped to a pantry door.
So I'm rejuggling the tasks, but I can still claim to be on schedule for the overall overhaul. For now, at least...
Three things of incredible value in this process:
Setting nightly and weekly goals. The nightly ones are pretty short - instead of going through 7 things a week, I went through 7 most nights. It broke the immense piles down to something manageable. But at the same time, if I skipped a night or two - eh, it's only 7 things, I'll catch up on the weekend.
The weekly goals speak for themselves - each week I had one thing that had to be dealt with on the weekend. More if I could do them, but if I just got that one done, I could honestly claim to be moving ahead.
And finally, I've started yet another checklist. In this case, one of celebration, because it doesn't mark what I still have to do, it's listing every new system and idea that has proven worthwhile. It's nice to look at when I think I can't do this or the effort isn't worth it.
This week marks the last week I'm supposed to be working on the basement. While that deadline will be blown to some degree - there are still things to put into different bins and storage to be rearranged - the spirit of the thing has been achieved if not the exact letter. I've gone through and assessed *every dang thing I had* down there, have donated roughly half of it to Team Wench or Freecycle, and tossed bunches of old crap. What remains is not just going into plastic bins but labeled plastic bins and stored in thematic groups. I've wrenched out old shelving and M has dismantled a huge old dresser, so it's really all done except the labeling and putting neatly away.
The next goal was supposed to be the bathroom... except that I still don't know what I want to do in the bathroom, while on the other hand the Container Store has put the shelving I want to use in the pantry on sale again. Plus, the pantry tasks, although a bit lengthy, are all known. (Basically, rip out shelving, rip out wallpaper, paint yellow, install new shelving, call it a day.) I'm going to let the Container Store do all the shelving decisions for me, so all I have to decide is what shade of yellow. Paint chips have been taped to a pantry door.
So I'm rejuggling the tasks, but I can still claim to be on schedule for the overall overhaul. For now, at least...
Three things of incredible value in this process:
Setting nightly and weekly goals. The nightly ones are pretty short - instead of going through 7 things a week, I went through 7 most nights. It broke the immense piles down to something manageable. But at the same time, if I skipped a night or two - eh, it's only 7 things, I'll catch up on the weekend.
The weekly goals speak for themselves - each week I had one thing that had to be dealt with on the weekend. More if I could do them, but if I just got that one done, I could honestly claim to be moving ahead.
And finally, I've started yet another checklist. In this case, one of celebration, because it doesn't mark what I still have to do, it's listing every new system and idea that has proven worthwhile. It's nice to look at when I think I can't do this or the effort isn't worth it.
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I'm going to try to box it up this weekend, and will mail it on the 5th or 6th from work. Then we can figure out the postage part...
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I'm taking encouragement from what you've done. I have finally hired some storage space and am starting to move boxes into books into it.
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Wow...
Have I mentioned the idea of drawers in at least part of that pantry? Great solution for deepness.
Dang--I wish I could at least get *started* on my basement. >:-[
With so many other little fires popping up, though, I think I'll be lucky to get my house guest-ready and the main level/kitchen reorganized before my folks visit in June....
Do keep posting! You really are inspiring--you show it can be done!
Looking forward to more tips and checklists.
Re: Wow...