In posting this I am losing all credibility to ever write anything on organization again. Ever.
We ended up being gone for most of yesterday, so my planned closet cleaning had to wait until today.
I wasn't too thrilled to tackle this project; in fact, I've been procrastinating on it for something like a year now. And what was I thinking when I said I'd also post pictures?
I must have not peaked into this closet recently, that's what it must have been. But I did promise you I'd post a picture, so in an effort to keep my promises here's what the very-messy-I-can't-believe-I'm-posting-this-on-the-internet closet looked like when we first began this morning:
Yes, folks, lest you thought I had all my ducks in a row, here you have the raw proof. I've opened the door on this thing way too many times and then quickly shut it because I just couldn't deal with it. A real great way to get things done, I know.
We pulled everything out and Kathrynne helped me go through stuff and re-organize it.
We also came up with a whole bag of trash to throw out. Woohoo!
And finally, it was done--in less than 45 minutes! To think I've been putting off this 45-minute job for very well near a year now.
I'm determined to keep on top of this closet and hopefully it won't turn into quite such a huge pig-sty in the future. One can hope at least.
I wasn't too thrilled to tackle this project; in fact, I've been procrastinating on it for something like a year now. And what was I thinking when I said I'd also post pictures?
I must have not peaked into this closet recently, that's what it must have been. But I did promise you I'd post a picture, so in an effort to keep my promises here's what the very-messy-I-can't-believe-I'm-posting-this-on-the-internet closet looked like when we first began this morning:
Yes, folks, lest you thought I had all my ducks in a row, here you have the raw proof. I've opened the door on this thing way too many times and then quickly shut it because I just couldn't deal with it. A real great way to get things done, I know.
We pulled everything out and Kathrynne helped me go through stuff and re-organize it.
We also came up with a whole bag of trash to throw out. Woohoo!
And finally, it was done--in less than 45 minutes! To think I've been putting off this 45-minute job for very well near a year now.I'm determined to keep on top of this closet and hopefully it won't turn into quite such a huge pig-sty in the future. One can hope at least.
Labels: Home Management and Organization
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:50 PM
30 Comments:
Thank you for being "real" Crystal. We all have those places that we hope no one will ever open or peek into! But Great Job!
Wendy
Thank you for sharing your photos Crystal! I must admit that I have seen some photos of your "messy" kitchen before and felt terrible because that is often what my clean and tidy kitchen looks like!!!
I don't think you should feel that you shouldn't write anything on organization again.
You did clean out your closet, it may not have been yesterday but that is ok.
You finished in only 45 minutes! That is great. One of my disaster areas would take so much longer to reorganize! This shows that your messy closet wasn't really out of control - you just hadn't got to it yet!
Great work and please do continue writing on organization!!
Louise
Crystal, my goodies came in the mail today from the bloggy give away. Thank you SO much!!!!
Personally you just gained some credibility in my book. ;-) If it makes you feel any better, I've seen WAY worse at past friends' houses. The difference is they have no future plans to change the situation. LOL
It actually make me think you are more qualified to write about it!
I felt so horrible when i posted my pictures of my office today as it really was not something I usually do. My office is the collect all spot and we do pretty well at keeping everything else fairly clean, but it got really bad!
Anyhow, I am glad to see that you have a spot like this too!
Oh good, you're normal!!! LOL! I don't have closets to speak of but I have several messes to organize in our "office"(catch-all room). This gives me courage and motivation to tackle these areas and keep up with them.
Great job organizing your closet. It looks fantastic after your hard work (and what a cute helper!) And getting it done in 45 minutes is fantastic.
I'm so glad you posted the pictures, because I'm always inspired to see what people accomplish!
I'm so much slower than you!! It's like I can't keep focus. 45minutes is the qualification you can use to keep writing. Great Job!
Sending ((Hugs)). I do the same thing with putting off jobs and then realizing it wasn't really that big of a deal.
I always just love having a freshly cleaned/organized space too!
Since I closed the store, I have far too many places that look way worse than your closet;)!
You know I hear that all the time in my organizing business. People are always amazed at how quickly it goes and they wonder why they ever put it off in the first place.
Great job!!
Laura (orgjunkie)
Doesn't it feel great to have that job done, and a nice, organized closet to look at? :) I just went through my kitchen in one day, cleaning out every cupboard, and then finishing by wiping it all down and scrubbing the floor. It was really fun, and I feel happy every time I come into my kitchen now, knowing there's no "scary" cupboards to open! :)
Thanks for showing your pictures - your closet really wasn't so bad, either!
Great job, Crystal! That's been many a closet in my house, too! ;o)
Well done, Crystal!
I couldn't help asking- was that a baby ultrasound scan photo near Kathrynne in the picture? We decided to keep ours for the girls. One day when I get around to doing up individual albums for them,I'll put them in as pre-birth photos!
Claire
Way to go Crystal!!!
I think we all have areas of our home we would rather not post pictures of :) Isn't is just amazing how long we can put something off because we dread it so much? And then, when we finally force ourselves to tackle it the task isn't as bad as we thought and doesn't take nearly so long to do?
Thanks for sharing, this was a real encouragement to me!
Trixie
Good Job!!!
Yeah for messy closets and the inspiration to clean them!
Thanks for sharing that. You are encouraging us to dig through our hidden messes.
Isn't it funny how those things we put off often don't take long? I always use to put off emptying the dishwasher. Then I timed it and discovered it took, on average, 5 minutes. How crazy to delay it! So even if I don't feel like it, I can tell myself it's really not a long task - which helps me get to it.
On the contrary to the title of this post, your credibility meter just went up, because you did what you said you were going to do. (I was looking for the pictures you said you were going to post--so I'm glad for you that you got it done.)
Sewing supplies seem to be the most difficult to keep under control, too! (It looks like your closet could still use a shelf--just above the plastic totes so you can get to them without moving the sewing machine out of the way.)
It makes me want to set my timer for 45 minutes to see what I can accomplish today...
But I'll probably pass on the photos. This time!
Doesn't it feel GREAT to have a newly organized closet?? I just did our bedroom closet on Sunday, which houses my clothes, future gifts, gift wrapping supplies, baby memoribilia, knitting and sewing supplies, scrapbooking supplies and art supplies, as well as a few other random items.
It was a disaster, and now, I love to walk in there and just marvel at the fact that I can find everything I need in just a quick second!!
Congrats on the closet, and for being honest!!
Oh yes! Thank you for keeping it "real". I agree with others that you did a great job in only 45 minutes with a toddler and baby near by. You give inspiration!
With a grateful heart,
Lisa
Crystal, thank you for your transparency! I think it is safe to say that most of us have a closet or area of our homes that we prefer to "shut the door on" and pray that the mess goes away. You did an awesome job organizing; it looks terrific!Thanks for your inspiration!
Thanks for sharing this. I'm always hoping you'll post pics of your home on Mondays. I am glad to see that you are just like the rest of us and have those difficult areas! Crafts can be hard to organize but you did it and your closet looks great now!
Thanks so much for showing that you're human, too. Gives me courage for my own messes!
Thank you for this post, Crystal! I was looking for the pictures, and hoping you wouldn't forget to post them. I LOVE it when you post pictures of your home. ...And it wasn't really THAT bad. :) We have a basement that is much larger than a closet, ....and, um....well, looks a great deal like your "before" picture. Cleaning your closet in 45 minutes is SO WONDERFUL! It takes me all of a morning or afternoon to tackle a "junk spot" - 'specially craft areas. Please don't stop posting about organization! - I love to see the real you, whether it's something wonderful, like finding bargins, or a "weak spot" like messy closets.
Amber
I sure appreciated your honesty and integrity! And it wasn't so bad. I hesitated to post my "before" pics yesterday, too, so I understand.
BTW, you have been tagged for the "What’s On Your Refrigerator?" meme. It is a Meme and a contest! Robin is giving away two free books. Read all about it at http://heartofwisdom.com/heartathome
and see my frig at burganfamily.blogspot.com
Awesome job!
You definitely did NOT lose any credibility in my opinion. I appreciated your transparency and found this post very motivating and encouraging!
Crystal,
Like Mary Ann mentioned, it just means you are normal. I honestly didn't think your closet was so bad at all. Can I say I've seen much much worse.
I find it very hard to relate to others who show only perfect pictures of their home, with not a thing out of place.
I have a few rooms that are a work in progress, just as I personally am one - perfect does not exist in my life at all.
This made me chuckle. You know, that closet wasn't so horrible before you cleaned it...you should see *some* people's! The way you were going on about how terrible it was, I had a much worse picture in mind!
LOL! I had the same thoughts when I first posted a few picks of my organizing endeavors. My site is homemakingorganized.com Some days my home should be homemaking organized uncovered!
It's not that your home looks like Better Homes and Gardens the after shot but that you know how to get it together when it needs to be done. 45 minutes is a closet that just needed some touching up not that is out of control.
My daughter and I cleaned up her room this morning. We played a Gaither video and sang hard while wiping and organizing. I've got a before and after pic of my plastic ware cupboard from last week's Tackle it Tuesday. I've also done some drawers. I really had spaced how bad it was getting until Laura over at Organized Junkie let us into her abode. See it inspires people!
Thanks for sharing.
Post a Comment
<< Home