After doing some reading, thinking, taking a 45 minute power walk to think it over some more and then feeling like I might have actually stumbled on the first piece to reaching my goal of being organized - I decided to write it down. Here it goes...

It starts with how you think, can you believe it? At least with me it does. My thoughts, how I view my organization (or lack there of) and my perception of others "organization". I throw quotations around the word organization here because of the following reason and this is exactly my first point. I find that often I compare my life to others and more times than not I allow myself to continually come out on the end of drawing the short stick. For example, it doesn't matter that the entire weekend I might've cleaned and straightened the house, planned the meals for the coming week, and washed the dog, come Monday if I see anyone that looks like they might be slightly more put together than I feel, I start comparing and losing. For all I know, the person(s) I am comparing myself to could have done nothing all weekend and be totally NOT put together and only look like the have it all figured out.

So this is my plan. My first step to "Organizing Me" is going to be changing the way I think and feel about the lists that I check off (completely or partially), the time that I spend relaxing, and how I stack myself up to those around me. Really, it isn't a competition...and it shouldn't feel like one! I do it to myself and its time to stop.

It's not necessarily about "coming out on top" when I compare, it's more about realizing that there are differences in everyone's life and accepting/appreciating what makes my own unique! I'm committed...I'm in need...and I'm ready! So for the rest of this week (and hopefully the rest of my life) I am going to make a conscious effort to change the way I think and look at my life compared to others.

Until next time...

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you are moving through the days, sun up - sun down, get up - go to sleep, everything is happening just as it should so you aren't really paying attention to what day it is? This week, that is me. Chugging along, making lists - checking them off, heading to work - filling in my timesheet and heading home.... I was just fine. Then the week decided to jump up and slap me right in the face as if I weren't paying enough attention to it. All day I've been thinking it was Friday...FRIDAY! Until, just now, while chatting with some friends I realized I still have half a day until I get to be excited about Friday! Hmmmph...total devastation.

I think this feeling really encompasses my entire Fall season thus far. I can't believe we are half way through the month of October, I can't believe Halloween is knocking at my door and I haven't even finished putting out all of out Fall/Halloween decorations (not to mention I haven't pulled together my costume yet?), I can't believe the family is already trying to make plans for Thanksgiving...and then Christmas?! I can't believe I have already started shopping for Christmas. Who does that? Now?

I feel like I have to plan ahead, but I want to slow down. When I take the time to sit and enjoy doing nothing, I feel guilty and 10 things come to mind that I could/should be doing. I have a planner in my purse, a ginormous planner stuck to the fridge, my blackberry calendar is full, there are post-its in every place imaginable as reminders for things I have to or might want to do...WHAT THE HECK? I've got all the supplies to be organized and yet I feel as if I am being swallowed by the "tools" that I have in place.

This is what I feel like now...

This is where I want to be...
Ahhh....doesn't that just make you feel good...

I need tips, real hard life tips for getting, being, and staying organized. We'll see where this goes...but over the next couple weeks (or months, it might take me the rest of the year to really get in a groove) I'm going to read up, listen up, and search out ways to live an organized life. I'll share what I find helpful and will be more than happy to take hints that might lead me in the direction I am so desperately seeking...so please, comment away!

Ha! I figured it out!

So, for some time now I have been wanting to add a "signature" to my blog...well folks...I figured it out! Here is the debut!

PS- I really do plan to share my latest crafting adventures...