Illustration by Jo Gray
Friday’s are my domestic doing days. That means I don’t plan to work. Don’t book appointments but instead dedicate myself to cleaning, preening, shopping and preparing the house for the weekend. Sounds exhausting? It is!
Yesterday was Friday so there was no exception. The marathon efforts were started with the usual gusto but half way round my routine I decided that I was not totally at peace with my Domestic Executive workspace and a change around was required.
This wasn’t planned but a natural progression from pulling out the desk to get to the dust and dog hairs that have collected there. All of a sudden I found myself thinking whether there was merit in re-oriented the desk. After a few moments procrastination I threw caution to the wind and the desk was moved from under the window to beside the window and all of a sudden Domestic Executive HQ looked like a different world.
After having made the move there was no turning back. All the computer, telephone, desk lights needed rewiring (well reorganising rather than actually rewiring, that would require an electrician!) and most importantly I was forced to move the piles of paper that have been building up over recent months to make room for things.
Personally I like the move. It gives me a feeling of more space, I can easily get to the window to open it and close the blinds when it gets dark. The low winter sun now doesn’t hit me in the eyeball and the basset hounds can’t hoon around the desk legs pulling it with them as they go. MT did think it had a rather centrifugal effect but I suggested to him he should pay more attention to his own space and consider whether some change was needed in there. He thought that might be an idea, he could move his chair a little and move the piles of stuff around it from one side to the other just to keep me company. Oh ha, ha not!
Anyway, after making the move and leaving things sparkling it was apparent that my current system of filing was going to have to be overhauled to. I know, but there is only so much clutter a girl can bare and to be honest it was stretching my tolerance levels somewhat already.
For once I was content to be inside today. It was raining anyway and the perfect excuse to sort out the cupboards and create enough space in which to really file stuff away. My technique of pile it up and close the door had worked well for a while but it was time to cull the clutter and release the pressure on my eyes. Not to mention improve my ability to find anything more easily.
I’ve always been a bit of a tartar when it comes to keeping my office tidy. The rest of the house can look like an oasis of calm but my desk somehow becomes a battle ground. Visitors to our house can bare testament to that as they’ve carved a small area to lay the keyboard in order to surf the net or do their emails. Not to mention tolerate me swanning in and riffling through the mountainous piles to find something, which I usually did!
I think my slovenly behaviour is to do with the years I spent trying to set and example in the work place. A tidy desk shows good leadership I used to tell myself. Thinking about it though I did have the luxury of getting rid of most of the clutter by depositing it on my EAs desk (thanks for tolerating this Andrea and Deb’s). Funny what happens when you don’t have an EA any more – maybe I should get one so I don’t get into the same pickle again.
You know it makes sense to get organised. You can cleanse the soul and mind as well as the space. There are some fabulous blogs that focus on such matters. Check them out if you need any more inspiration.
Today’s Homemaker – a little less anal and a bit more fun
Kikki.K – stationery to die for (well maybe to salivate over!)
See what happens when a girl spends too much time at home. Cleaning can turn into wholesale reorganising!
I see that you have the same layout as me now.
It must be in the genes for me to transfer the perfect layout over such a long distance?
Although I do not have two dogs to consider.
Now I have retired I am in the process of clearing out my work bits and pieces and reorganising our small study – any ideas what I can do to it?
I hesitate to make suggestions to a recently retired school teacher who puts me to shame at the sheer organisational ability and advance planning. I’ve still not got over the fact you ran a sandwich making factory on a Sunday for the week’s packed lunches!
Still, what you need is some bags and a lock on the door.
Lock yourself in. Purge everything that you’ve not looked at for a year or you won’t need again for another year. Don’t forget to sort for recycling, charity donation or simply trash the real trash noone else will want.
Then in the 50% extra space you will have created install the new storage and organising materials you bought before you locked the door. This will make your office look beautiful and fresh for the third age of working (or rather not working in your case!).
Now you can unlock the door and look back at your handiwork!
Dad, I’m slightly alarmed at this news. Although it might account for the recent urges for DIY I’ve been having!
J xx
Having been fortunate enough to see Domestic Executive HQ in the flesh, I think the change around is an improvement. Plus you’ve now got wall space above your desk for a few shelves on which to store more piles of paper…..!
Sxx
Hi Sarah
I don’t need any encouragement. I admit to having started to think the same!
Jx
Well done you on getting organised. We only have a small home and find our method of getting ‘sorted’ involves moving stuff from one room to another!! xx
Intimidated? By me? Well, we can’t have THAT! 🙂
As a Professional Organizer, I’ve received lots of organizing training, had lots of on-the-job experience, read tons of books, and I enjoy sharing with all my blog readers. But I try to promote the idea of being “organized enough.” Perfection IS NOT the goal.
I do tend to be a bit of an organizing freak in my own home, but as long as you’re admitting things, I’ll let you in on a secret, too: Even Organizers have to deal with their own clutter and paper piles. The difference is that we LOVE the job of restoring order, whether it’s our stuff or someone elses.
Thanks so much for sharing my site with your readers!!! I’ll definitely be back to read more about YOUR talents!
Debbie (Virtually Organized)