TIP OF THE MONTH – JUNE 2011

A Day for Reclaiming Flat Surfaces

It’s Saturday. Fortunately this stay-at-home day afforded me a chance to reorganize a few long-neglected, cluttered areas of my home. When I looked outside at the colorful flowers—symbols of new life, new beginnings, new chances—hopeful anticipation surfaced inside of me.

For many months I’ve been involved with several women in writing and editing two books simultaneously. These projects, which involve incredible deadlines, forced me to let go of staying on top of e-mail and snail mail, house cleaning, and all the other things that are a part of running a household.

The disruption of basic cleaning in my condo probably wasn’t apparent to the casual observer. However, I couldn’t cover up the books, papers, mail, file folders, and other items piled in various locations. I disliked the “typhoon” effect but the unavoidable deadlines had overpowered my ability and desire to keep things organized.

Today, with one major writing deadline checked off, I was determined to make progress on the home front. For this organizational TIP OF THE MONTH walk with me through my day and latch on to any trick that might help you alleviate clutter and reclaim the flat surfaces in
your home.

FLAT SURFACES

I’ll begin with a tip from Susan, a regular viewer, because it formed my framework for this particular work day: “I heard a great tip the other day. The professional organizer said, ‘Flat surfaces in your home are work surfaces, not storage spaces.’ So the goal is to keep all flat surfaces cleared, and this includes the floor. This really made sense to me. So my goal this month is to clear all flat surfaces: table tops, dresser, counter tops, etc. Very freeing information for me!”

KITCHEN TABLE

My kitchen table is where I usually sit to open daily mail. After responding to right then to anything I can, I set aside magazines to read or letters to answer later. It’s a convenient location, but it had become a “holding area.” I needed to find some new organizational tricks.

I confiscated a burgundy plastic “in” box from another room. Going through every paper item on my table, I put some in the new box, threw into my recycle sack small magazines I knew I’d never look at in, and transferred most of the books to the magazine stand in my den.

I plopped a decorated file folder at the top of my new “in” box in the kitchen. The few “to do” items I knew I would most likely handle while sitting at my kitchen table went in that one folder—easy to see, easy to find.

Now for the colored pens, pencils, and highlighters that sprawled across the table. I remembered an empty glass candle holder, which now serves a new purpose as my pen/pencil holder. What a relief.  

Finally, in my final effort to help recapture some of the “flat surface” of my round wooden table, I used a small rattan divided stand to keep my devotional books and journal standing upward with titles visible.

DINING TABLE

Though I work on mail and paper items in my kitchen, I frequently do computer work at my dining room table. The table is perched in front of two sliding glass doors that open to my backyard. There’s something about open and bright spaces that invigorate me.

Most of my writing and editing happens during office hours, but lately my work spilled over to my evenings and weekends. Because I was trying to meet deadlines on two projects, my work was spread out everywhere. Almost no empty space remained on the table.

So on this particular Saturday, I was determined to pause and organize that space. Pulling a flat, round, woven basket out of a cupboard, I corralled the pens, pencils, highlighters, Post-It notes, stapler, small container of paper clips, scissors, etc. into one location. I breathed a sigh of relief. What a difference that made.

Next, grabbing two empty cardboard boxes that originally held white envelopes, I separated the related papers and resource material into two piles and arranged both projects neatly in their own box. Nothing fancy, but it serves its purpose to keep me focused on only the current project.

Oh, I set a small blooming plant on my dining table…to remind me that there is life beyond my writing projects.

BEDROOM DRESSER
AND NIGHTSTAND

The last problem areas were the flat surfaces in my bedroom. Standing first at my dresser, I returned the stray pieces of jewelry to their proper place in my jewelry drawer. Then I took time to sort through the receipts, business cards and other small items taking up space.  I threw some things away but simply returned other small items to their designated spot…off the top of my dresser.

The towering effect was the most noticeable thing on my nightstand. I quickly looked through the books stacked there for nighttime reading. I chose to three and transferred the rest to the magazine stand in my den where I could easily find them when I was ready for the next “great read.”

I was amazed at how quickly I reached my goal of clearing the cluttered flat surfaces. On my next available Saturday I'll work on another area in my condo, but for now I have “called it a day” and put on some water for tea—a celebration of a goal achieved.

Tip of the Month
©2011 by Gail Porter
www.gailporter.US