Where Do I Start?

Well, the saying goes, "start at the beginning." But with Home Organization (or "Home O", for short) the beginning could be anywhere.  And it does get overwhelming. (Been there, felt like that!) When you feel like pulling your hair out because there is so much clutter, concentrate first on picking the Living Room, & Kitchen up. Make that your first priority.

Once they are picked up (not CLEAN, mind you, but at least out of your way), then you can figure out a more structured plan for getting your life together, and keeping it there. This is a PROCESS, as in ON-GOING. Your house will not be actually clean and organized for a while, but you are taking the first baby steps.

Here are a couple first steps to get you jump-started:

1. Just start somewhere. Pick up the things on the countertops, the tables, and floor. Just put them in a stack in the basement, where you WILL get to them later. The kids can take their stuff to their rooms.
2. Do the dishes, and wipe the counters.
3. Vacuum.
4. Start a load of laundry.

I have 2 kids, and sometimes it takes me all day to do just these 4 things. Sometimes I don't even get to all 4 things. But I have reached a point where I say, "The sky will not fall if all these things don't happen every day. I am also raising 2 GREAT kids!"

From this point, you at least have a clear kitchen table to set yourself down and make some lists. I have gotten most of my home o'ing routines or plans from books (listed in my booklist). 

1. List out ALL of the chores to do in your house. Look around the kitchen, and list out all the chores to do to get your kitchen as clean as it would be if a professional did it.
2. Decide how often each chore needs to be done, if your house where perfectly clean. (I know it's not, but we're getting there.) Choose: daily, monthly, seasonally, 2/year, or yearly.

From here you can keep tabs on these lists any number of ways:

• The Slob Sisters list each chore on an index card, and keep a card file box full of chores, and other things they want to remember.
• "FlyLady" Marla Cilley is an avid follower of the Slob Sisters' Pam & Peggy's writings, and has created her own cleaning routines based on their writings. Marla's website  details her Morning and Before-Bed Routines, as well as other chore lists . She runs a list called "FlyLadyMentors" at YahooGroups that I cannot say enough good things about.
• Deniece Schofield also has books that include listing chores. Check out my booklist  for the titles of their books, and also check out their books at the library.