Well now, doesn’t that cover say it all?
In fact, my friend Teri showed up at church a while back with two different shoes on, just like the frazzled woman in this picture.
Have you had life throw you an organizational loop?
Kids? An aging parent? A new job? A move? Newer, bigger house? Older, smaller house?
I’m sure many of you often think, “What happened? I used to have it more together than this.”
Enter my friend Glynnis Whitwer to the rescue.
Glynnis’ newest book, I Used to Be So Organized addresses the frustrations many women feel when they can’t handle their lives. They know, deep in their hearts, they should be able to manage things. After all, they used to be organized…five, ten or twenty years ago.
But now, life seems to hand them one distraction and challenge after another.
Combining spiritual encouragement and practical application I Used to Be So Organized presents a balanced approach to finding order and peace for today’s overwhelmed woman. This book contains 23 chapters, each short enough for a busy woman to read during a lunch break or a child’s naptime.
Every aspect of your busy life comes together in this one easy-to-read guide. (And I was honored to get to write the forward to the book!)
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of this brand new book, along with a $10.00 Target gift card to buy yourself somtehing organize-y (or a pair of shoes that actually match) leave us a comment here answering this question:
Which is more challenging for you—managing your time or organizing your “stuff”?
Or, is it a toss up and both throw you for a loop?
Have a wonderful weekend. Winner announced Monday.
Organizing my stuff is a much bigger challenge for me. We are expecting our second child in December and I can’t believe how much “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the past 7.5 years since our first child was born. We need to make room, but there is just so much.
I use to be very organized but now I am very involved with my Church and I have four children and two grandchildren one of which lives with me. I have more of a challenge organizing my time.
Response to: “I Used to Be So Organized Giveaway with Glynnis Whitwer”
Glynnis,
Hello, Sophia here. And I would just like to say that managing my time is the bigger elephant in the room for me. I am an organizer, although you cannot really tell that by looking at the living room right now, either.
I actually have not even managed my time enough yet, to learn to tweet, blog, and / or facebook yet. For the record, my intentions for social networking are for responding to things like this as well as working with my Avon Business online.
So, yes ‘managing my time’ is more challenging for me. I can start organizing, do it all day and forget to eat or even cook. How exciting is that?
With the love of the Lord I speak Blessings to you and yours and all of your readers, bloggers, tweeters, and listeners.
thank you,
-Sophie
—
Sophia Morrison
Certified Teacher/Tutor
ed.sofia@gmail.com
713-298-5749
Organizing my stuff. It’s especially a challenge this year being my first year of homeschooling.
I guess it is a toss up really for me. I am a SAHM of a busy 3 year-old. Trying to find balance in keeping her entertained and playing with her and then getting to all of my chores is sometimes overwhelming. After a few days, anything I have organized is covered by a new mess. I could so use some direction on getting a grip on the balance of time and stuff. Sometimes I am absolutely depressed over not getting anything done. i need to see progress to keep going and I need to figure out how toaccept the little victories as such and not sweat over the small stuff! Thanks!
Oh………all that stuff……….I don’t know what to put it in………where to put it when it’s in something and what to do with it all in the long run. Somedays if there was a big dumpster handy………..well………..I would regret my actions later but the dumpster would be full. I was a very organized person until I started caring for my Mom a few years ago. Then a sequence of events in the family threw me completely off track and there was no time to be organized……..I’ll put it here and take care of it later. Fast forward about 5 years and here I am………My Mom passed away last year after many years of illness and I am still looking at stacks of stuff not knowing where to start………..the dumpster idea gets more appealing all the time. So, I am at my “when summer is over and things slow down” stage……….again…………I will attempt to put my house………and my mind……….back in order. Thanks for the chance to win some help.
Ths is the truth brenda — you have your hands full and no time to get in done — i feel your pain not being able to get back to organization — Debbie Trimble
Definitely organizing my stuff. I am a clutter bug and need to get rid of some stuff! You can NOT organize clutter =)
“You can NOT organize clutter.” Too funny Dacia. Brought a BIG (knowing) smile to my face!
Organizing my stuff is my biggest challenge – I have so much paper that I know what to do! I’ve tried to go digital, but that takes time to scan and save them to the computer! Having three special needs children has made it very difficult for me because at the end of the day after I get the kids in bed, I am exhausted and don’t want to do anything but veg!
Toss up! I’m just struggling all around!
Stuff! With 4 youngsters I struggle keeping up with current sizes, toys and shedding what is not needed.
I feel like the unorganized “stuff” that we have messes with our ability to organize our time properly. For me, the stuff calls to me from every room and then that overwhelming feeling makes me run in circles as I flit from one thing to another – a poor use of my time. This morning I spent extra time reorganizing some craft supplies because I was looking for one thing. The title of this book screamed to me because I remember being sooo organized at one point. Thanks for the opportunity and have a great weekend!
Organizing my “stuff.” I am back to living in the house I grew up in, this house was built by my Grandfather in the 50’s…my son, who is now 16 is the 4th generation here. When Mom passed we moved from an appartment to here. For some reason, I feel we “downsized” in square footage, but then I am finally realizing that we have generations of clutter still in this house. Stuff I am finding it hard to let go of. My little girl ( 2yrs young at the time) was called home to be with the Lord, and I still have some things of hers. I find it so difficult to motivate myself to get going. With my husbnd just being diagnosed with M.S. I know I really need to get started here..make more room for him as he is finding it more and more diffcult to manuver (?). …..Things could be worse, I do count my Blessings! Thanks..!
BOTH! I am overwhelmed!
I agree, BOTH! I just cannot seem to get it together! Help!!
Definitely organizing my “stuff”! I am praying that I can utilize some of your tips Karen once the kids go back to school and I have some uninterupted time. I love target and I love spiritual encouragement and I love ideas on how to become more organized so I know I’d love to win this give away. Blessings.
Organizing our stuff is the challenge for me. There is a constant influx of paper and with three children, “stuff” just seems to multiply.
i’d definitely say organizing my stuff. sometimes it’s so hard to throw it away! (now i feel like a hoarder!) time usually isn’t a problem – – and fortunately, this summer I’ve been able to tackle projects each day and feel I’m ahead of the game. there is the little cluster of things in the basement tho . . . gonna make sure i get to them before the school year begins (and i don’t have kids in school – – i care for my 2 grandsons cause their parents are teachers!!)
Being a Sr. I have accumulated a lot of stuff and will soon need to downsize, so attemtping to get better organized NOW is a good thing to do.
I have had to keep a spare pair of shoes at my desk because on more than one occasion I have shown up in two different shoes …. the cover of this book made me both smile and cringe … I KNOW that feeling!!!
I’ve had a problem getting organized since I moved from California to North Carolina in June of 2010. My husband passed away unexpectedly of undetected heart desease 2-1/2 years ago. It was devastating, but while I remained in the house we shared, I was able to keep up. What threw me for a loop was when I remarried. My daughter (now 17) and I moved cross-country and into a house with my husband and his 3 kids. It is a new house to both of us, so it’s not that I moved into his already messy house, but I feel like I’ve never really been able to get it together again! I would love to be REALLY organized again, but I’m not sure where to begin and it is pretty overwhelming! Thank you for writing a much needed book to encourage women of all ages, and in all stages of life!
It’s a toss up! For me, they go hand and hand.
I really think for me it is both, and unlike the title of the book suggests, I have NEVER had it all together, it is a constant struggle… :)
That’s a tough one….both equally I think. I have two kids 5 and under and I have a disability has causes chronic pain/fatigue. So I’m still trying to figure out how to manage my time….and we have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!! Working on getting rid of the clutter….then will organize it!
It used to be that I had no problem organizing my stuff. But, fast forward to 3 kids and homeschooling… right now I feel like I’ve been swimming in my stuff. I feel like I am constantly trying to take care of or organize my stuff and never get anywhere.
My time – at least I think if I was better at managing my time then I’d have time to purge, clear, organize and manage everything else.
I’m in the first year of being the Director of a new nonprofit, which happens to be about two blocks from our house. I could easily spend hours upon hours there every day and frequently run into the problem of an unbalanced home life due to my committment to my new endeavor. Of course my family means more to me but this ministry is a calling on my life and I’m eager to follow God’s path. I’m struggling with knowing how to maintain an organized, balanced home because I don’t know how to manage my time well.
Right now my son with Asperger’s controls the time! Each day is an obstacle course between melt downs and clutter and trying to maintain balance with the other kids. Thanks for hosting the give-a-way!
Organizing my stuff! It seems like every time I start to organize my stuff more stuff accumulates.
I am in a toss up, I am not sure why that is. I always start with these great plans of planning my time and organziing wach room in the house and then it never happens. Personally I get overwhelmed and never know where to start. I also know some of my issues stem from my childhood and I am learning to trust God more with that area of my life. I am so over being a procrastinator…PLEASE HELP
Both are tough with young kids, but i would say organizing my stuff.
As a widow with two teenage boys I find I am able to manage my time a little better because of their independence (abilty to drive and take care of some of their own needs- they even help me cook sometimes) but I have always struggled with stuff and even more so now. I just can’t seem to figure out the best way to keep up with all the memoriablia of my husband and of my boys. I am working on some t-shirt quilts – thats a start I guess but I still have a long way to go. Any wisdom and help here would be much appreciated!!!
If I look around my house I would definitely say my stuff is more challenging. This challenge is even creeping into my office at work, which used to be the one place I still maintained some control over life……not anymore. At the same time, though, I keep thinking if I had more time, I would be able to get control of my stuff. So I guess both are challenging for me and despite putting in the effort, it feels like I’m losing this battle.
I would say both are a toss up. I have 3 kiddos 5 and under :) blessing but challenging!
This is the first time I have been “blogging” all summer…been too crazy! I think I was meant to see this post!! :) Thanks bunches! I struggle with both, but I would say what frustrates me more is managing my time between home schooling my 3 oldest and trying to give time to my three year old!
It’s a toss up in my life. Holding down too many jobs: teacher, school treasurer, mentor, adult ed classes, Kohls, mother and also graduate classes makes my time (if I have any) minimal. Take into account I am never home to work on ever getting organized is just as frustrating. Believe me, my house is so bad, my husband wants me to write a book on “My Piles”! So yeah, I could really use this book! I will also be an empty nester this year so ready to tackle those piles!
This is SO me! I used to be so organized! You could ask me for “that paper from 2 yrs ago that said that thing” & I knew where it was & my car…oh how I miss how clean & organized that USED to be! That was the “olden days”, days with only 1 child. Now with adding 5 more & possibly 6 more children, (we’ll find out in a few days ;)…) homeschooling & all their stuff…I can barely find my way out of bed let alone maintain any semblance of organization! I need you’re help! Send in a Merry Maid or 5 to rescue me…or maybe just a $10 gift card to one of my fav stores that is right next door to my fav coffee shop where I can escape from the chaos I call life & read this lovely book! PS I really do love my life, my hubby, 6 kids & every chaotic, unorganized detail of it…well not the dirty laundry! ;p
They both exasperate me! In fact, I spend most of my thought time trying to figure out how to manage my time better and find some method to my madness. It is only by the grace of God that I have been able to survive under these conditions. I pray for BALANCE daily.
Definitely my stuff…especially paperwork. Kids always bringing home ‘must save’ items and having to decide what should be kept for sentimental reasons and what will never be thought of again. School starting soon so there will be cluttered countertops unless I can figure something out soon! Help !
Managing my time is much more of a challenge to me. There is so much I need to do and so much I want to do and my wants get in the way often. I even struggle with managing my time in organizing my stuff! I love to organize my stuff but lose sight of the big picture and get to engrossed in the small stuff. Oh to have a balance. My biggest challenge is organizing my time and setting goals and priorities so that learning the Word, my ministry to others, and my studying all grow and are used wisely. HELP! :)
Ummm….. I can’t get my time organized to organize my stuff!!!!
Both, but stuff is worse. I’m blessed to be moving into a smaller, brand new house. The sorting and tossing hasn’t been easy, but I’m getting there!
My problem is time management…I don’t want to blame it on having 6 kids…it’s my problem and part of that problem is that I have lost myself in having our precious 6 kids. I used to be in the AF, always on top of everything, then when I chose to be selfish (prior to kids), I somewhat lost who I was, and began trying to be who everyone else wanted me to be…or who I thought they wanted me to be. Back in 2007, God began the restoration process…but right now I am working in the ‘just in time’ frame…I strongly desire to get back to being on top of everything, but there is so much more in the everything now I don’t know where to start! My kids are from about 10 down to 1.5 yrs… I stay home, am active in church and feel called to write and speak….and am going to go back to school for my Masters so I can hopefully begin teaching at an online University…slow down, eliminate are words I hear, but my heart beats for all these I don’t know where to go! Thanks so much for your ministry!
Have a blessed day!
Jennifer
Honestly? It is a toss up for me. I struggle with organizing my stuff …. so my house looks like it exploded ALL of the time, but I also have difficulty with managing my time. The day just slips away from me … *sigh*
Organizing my stuff is the hardest. there are 6 of us living in a tiny single wide trailer and it is driving me nuts! I could use all the help I can get! :)
Oh my… That is an extremely tough question! I have to agree with Sandra – By not being able to manage my time, I’m constantly letting precious time to organize my stuff slip away from me! But I HAVE noticed that a good cup of coffee in the morning can always help =). Also, I’m VERY organized at work, but my home seems like a completely different story! I also have a lot of trouble deciding on decor options for my home. Just built a new house last November and the walls are still bare!
organizing my stuff – after being married for 47 years and living with a loving husband who keeps everything, even boxes for things we don’t own anymore, I know the time is coming when we will leave this big house and downsize so I need help!!!!!!!
I am definitely a little bit of both. Time management has always been an issue and organization looks good on the outside, but it’s a hot mess if you open the door!
Organizing my time to organize my stuff has been challenging…I know it’s a cop out but I really use to be so organized, then my 3 kids came along and homeschooling a 3, 5 and 7 year old has really thrown a loop in my organizational skills…I usually don’t know where to start.
Time. No stuff. No time. Well both. :-)
Organizing my stuff. It just seems like with four of us, not counting the furry memembers of the family, in a 200 year old farmhouse, there isn’t enough room for everything.
I would have to say organizing my stuff is the most difficult for me. I make piles like crazy! HELP!
Stuff! I can keep track of dates and schedules, to-do lists in my head SO much more easily than I can keep up with all the junk I have lying around. Sigh.
Organizing my stuff, my teenager’s stuff, my husband’s hunting stuff, and keeping stuff organized. If I organize, someone in our family comes in right behind me and does a re-organizing of their own!
It’s definitely a combination of both. Although I’d say that if the stuff were organized, my time could be better managed since I wouldn’t be wasting so much of it on the stuff. It’s a domino effect.
Stuff is a problem for me. I have finally started using my phone to keep up with dates and times for the places my three children and I have to be on a daily basis. However, we still have STUFF in the basement of our home that is yet to be looked through and we have lived in our home for 6 years. I have stacks of things that need to be gone through and no time to take care of it. So if you have a remedy to add more time…. that would be awesome!
Finding – or more like taking – the time to organize the stuff. It seems like there is always something more pressing to do. I’d love to get all the shoes by the front door put away, but there’s grape juice on the dining room floor…
Managing my time (or using it effectively) is definately my hangup. I have all these plans, goals, aspirations, and ideas but can’t manage my time effectively always to get them done.
Organizing my stuff in a way that my husband will keep it organized too!
Dear Karen,
Which is more challenging for you—managing your time or organizing your “stuff”?
I would definitely say managing my stuff but only because if I have a problem managing my time I can always get less sleep : ( This is not a long-term or even a good solution, so I guess I have a problem managing it all.. My confession comes from Philippians 1:10 “I cannot do everything, so I choose those things which are vital and excellent and of real value. I have wisdom, and I am able to distinguish the highest and the best things for me to do.”
Blessings
P.S. I love your font : )
The stuff, especially everyone else’s.
Being organized is more of a challenge for me. I get sidetracked when the kids or husband throws one more thing at me, whether it be asking for a cup of juice or help with yet another project. The kids bring home so many papers and crafts and such from school and I want to keep some of it, but I’m realizing I’m the only one who will want to look at it in 10 years. Digitalizing them just doesn’t have the same effect. And don’t get me started on their clothes and shoes and toys and trying to keep fall and summer clothes separated because we just don’t have the room. But we don’t have the room for all seasons either. I think sometimes, I sacrifice being organized with everything just to be in the moment with the family.
Both! Lately it seems more ‘stuff’ is coming in than going out! And my time, seems to disappear before I know it!
My time!! Everyday when I get up, I think, gosh, I have 16 working hours in the day, how should I best manage it? When my daughter is napping, I try to get as much done as possible, but then sometimes, I just want to sit back, relax and read a book! It is always a hard decision!
I feel like a mini hoarder. I need help. How do you know what to keep and what to save. You know, I might need that small bottle of hotel shampoo the next time I go on a trip or that 1/4 yard of black vinyl for the next VBS craft and don’t even get me started on the papers. Paper, paper, paper, school, bills, cards, and the list goes on.
I think that organizing my stuff is my biggest challenge. I try so hard to have an organized home but often I find myself just looking around and not knowing where to begin. As I scan a room with my eyes it is disturbing to see so many items out of place. It just seems like I am constantly picking things up and putting them away. I think the difficulty lies in the decision making. I know I am going to have decide what to do with everything and I tend to procrastinate on difficult decisions. HELP!
Yes! It would have to be both, depending on the day! Some days my “stuff” is so organized I just can’t stand myself for what I’ve accomplished until I realize that – oh my gosh – I gotta be somewhere! Then I’m all tickled pink that my calendar is sweetly managed without too many things in the next week, space for breathers, etc. until I realize – hmmm, I can’t put my calendar down on any service. Bummer. . .
I think managing my time is harder. If I could find the time to get organized, half the battle would be won! So looking forward to hearing your insight! God Blesd
Managing my time! So much to do and so little time!
My time for sure. I always try to do it all.
I struggle more with organizing my stuff (and my husband’s stuff and my four girls’ stuff!). Our house really could use more closet space!
Organizing my stuff definitely!! In fact, I am so disorganized I don’t even know how or where to start. I have so much stuff that I don’t even know what I have.
I need some help organizing. I am trying to get rid of clutter and “stuff” I don’t need! Simplify things a bit! Wendy
My time is very well organized and I organize everyone else’s time, too. I can organize everyone else’s stuff, but mine…tsk, tsk, tsk!
Both!! We are getting ready to move into a bigger house and I want to be organized but I have NO clue where to start. In my head I want to be more organized and have more time but thats about as far as it goes for me. I’m praying for God to change my heart and put it into ACTION!!!
I have more problems oranizing my stuff. It just seems to grow!!! Help!
I am a young widow and mother of 2 daughters. I find that it is a toss up between time and organization. Being the only adult in the house, I seem to be spinning my wheels! If it isn’t something like the refrigerator needing to be repaired, it is the 4 loads of laundry to be done or the yard to be mowed or the bathroom to be mopped!! I need help with organization of my time so I can organize my life!!
What IS time management and organization? Obviously I have some real issues with both!
I LOVE to organize! Everyone at church is like, “Call Steph, she’ll help you sort, organize & throw out!” I’m pretty good at it, (def a God given talent-no props to myself). . It is very therapeutic. Toss…chuck…throw away…heave…dispose of…it’s trash, are all words I’m NOT afraid of! :)
Well at work it would be my time at home it would be my stuff I guess because at home my things are more personal and hard to get rid of and at work would be time cause it’s not enough hours in the day to finish what I
Wow. I have to pick? As soon as I think I have my time managed ok, something else crops up. A new deadline. A holiday or birthday which, while fun, means shopping and cooking. But I can’t pat myself on the back over my organization skills either since I’ve pulled 9 boxes of books and two tubs of recycling out of my home office and it is FAR from empty.
–SueBE
Managing my time is definitely more of a challenge. I am a wife, mom of 3, administrative assistant at my church and vocalist on the worship team. Organization is necessary, but lacking due to my always hectic schedule. I’d love some new ideas (and a few more hours in my day, thanks!)
Managing My time!!! I am always doing something. I would love to read your book about being oranizing. I really think it would help me. May God bless yiou in all you do. Love Shawnia. Phil.4:13
Both throw me for a loop. I’m sure time management is a huge issue, but looking at the “stuff” is overwelming.
Well at work it would be my time at home it would be my stuff I guess because at home my things are more personal and hard to get rid of and at work would be time cause it’s not enough hours in the day to finish what I have started which causes me to be behind I would like a happy medium something I could used for both areas in my life that are very important to me I feel rushed and overwhelmed all the time…….HELP!!!
It’s a toss up for me, but I’m leaning toward stuff. I think if I had my stuff (especially papers) organized, I’d have an easier time organizing my time. The clutter cripples me some days and I just hide my head in the sand (or pile of toys). Can’t wait to pick this book up!
Definately my stuff. Since adding/adopting a one and two year oldto the 4 we already had….I can’t manage to keep things picked up. Its like shoveling snow while its snowing. I keep trying!
Managing my time is the hardest for me. When I have a lot of it, I waste it. I’d love to win a copy of the book.
j
My stuff is neatly organized, but I spend way too much time doing it. I definitely need to learn to manage my time a little more carefully. Can’t wait to read the book!
BOTH! Organizing my “stuff” takes so much “time”! It will soon be 20 years since I left the single life and became a wife, step-mom to two, and quickly the mother of two more boys. My husband was the ultimate “do-it-yourself-er” and NEVER threw anything away in case he might need it again “someday”! We all learned from him to live that way, too. He passed away this past March from a brain tumor after only 4-1/2 short months, leaving me with two teeen-age boys, 4 acres of land, and a 26-year old single level home that is packed with every available space packed with “stuff”. My daily lament now is “I used to be so organized … what happened and how do I do it again now?” Thus, the title of your book really grabbed my attention! I’d love to hear what you have to share!
I always thought I was an organized person but thinking I am less and less every day….all the kids are gone but grandchildren have arrived and I find myself busier then ever! Your book sounds wonderful.
Stuff, definitely! Time is pretty structured because I can sometimes discipline myself to sit still and do what I need to do (still not everything, but something). But the stuff, especially papers, oh, they are….just there. Mocking. Waiting. And I swear, even multiplying.
I need major help!
Definitely my stuff. While I can waste time on FB & the like, I can also be very dedicated to my schedule and fit everything in. The “stuff” on the other hand, keeps multiplying like rabbits. And it seems that even as I purge every season, more stuff comes in.
(I think we must like stuff. )
I would have to say that if I managed my time better & prioritize the daily things by writting them down like I used to, I know I’d be much more organized. Definately.
I’d love to recieve a copy of Glynnis’s book! “God willing”.
God bless! Amy K. Eaton : )
{I’m not posting again to increase my chances of winning.}
But I forgot to add every morning when I go to work I always see a homeless person carrying a backpack and a laundry bag containing all his earthly possessions. Everytime I see him I ask myself, what can I fit in that bag should I find myself in that situation? Then my thoughts go to my craft room teeming with papers, scrapbooking tools, etc – overflowing with stuff. Stuff, may I add that I can’t use because I am still not done organizing all the papers that have piled up. I feel really convicted about this.
Would love to receive a copy of Glynnis’s book. I am so not organzed! A neat thing happened to me at work the other day. I work at a Christian book store and a friend came in the store. She looked around a bit and then picked up Glynnis’s book and asked me if I knew anything about the author. I was able to tell her about attending the She Speaks Conference, and although I did not meet Glynnis, I met her mother and really connected with her!
Right now both. Summer time with no schedule throws me for a loop. I am ready for school to start so that I can get this house more organized and attempt to get back on a schedule. I many times try to fit to many things into 1 day and then as I think of all the stuff I need to get done around the house I get overwhelmed and give up! But I really want to feel at peace and accomplished at the end of each day. Organization and time management will really help!
“Stuff” and busy schedules walked out the door when my kids got married. I enjoy the slower pace, free time, and an organized house but now procrastination challenges me.
Time! Sometimes I have (or it seems) too much of it and I waste it… other times too little of it.
I need help organizing both my stuff and my time.
Organizing my stuff is the hardest for me. I probably have undiagnosed adult ADD and I just can’t focus long enough to get anything done. We have so much junk and I need to declutter, but have a hard time getting started on it because it is so overwhelming. Add to that I have a newly walking one year old and a four year old – and I have a hard time keeping up with the day to day stuff…much less the clutter. But I know if I could get rid of a lot of the clutter, it would make it so much easier to keep the house organized. I’m not looking for perfection. I just don’t want to be embarassed if somebody stops by unexpectedly…
I think organizing my time lately is the biggie. My mom has been in the hospital three times in the past two months, and my husband and are are both burned out and stressed out to the max. (Mom was in the hospital for 6 weeks last summer, and then rehab for 2 weeks.) My sister helps when she can – – she works here but lives 1 1/2 hours away, and our brother is in another state.
I can start to do something (clean out a closet, for example) but it’s so easy to get sidetracked with other things, even when just putting something away in another room. …and to think I used to know where everything was in the house! Ha! Not any more!
It’s a toss up for me. I love organization, so organizing my stuff is probably a bit easier. After having my son (born 4/1/11), I find managing my time to be much more difficult! :( But part of that is realizing that my priorities have changed, and time with him is more important.
I think I could conquer the stuff chaos if I could just get on top of managing my time. Truth is…maybe? Maybe not :(
Isn’t it funny how if one area is weak, it affects everything else? If I’m not managing my time, you can bet all my stuff is unorganized! However, organizing my stuff is a much more daunting task, mainly because I have no idea where to start, but with my time, there’s always something to be done, even in small increments. I would love the opportunity to read this book and improve my time-management AND organization skills!
It is definately harder to keep organized, especially the master bedroom closet. Thanks so much for your blog and this contest :-)
I seem to find both time management and organization come hand in hand. I’ve noticed that since I’ve had a full schedule of full-time school, full-time work and everything else my life demands I have no time to organize. I have a move ahead of me in the next few weeks and I feel like I am in over my head. How can I find time to organize and pack my stuff when I can’t even get a full 8 hours of sleep? And when I pack all of my stuff and move when will I find time to organize all of my stuff in my new house? Where does all my time go and why can’t I find a matching pair of socks? My whole life has become cluttered, appointments overlapping and even my car seems to become a storage bin and a dining room all at once! I need help tacking these two feats.
Managing my stuff throws me off of my time management plan. Last night I spent an extra hour bringing the chaos back under control which put dinner behind by an hour. By the time the kids were in bed and evening tasks done, I didn’t have any energy for the “extras” like writing.
I don’t know how to escape the either/or world of either being present or being organized. I want to live in the both/and world of being organized so that I can be present.
My time is harder for me to handle. That being said, we moved into a temporary home that is furnished, so all of our stuff is in the garage. Although we’ve had to get into the boxes a few times, much of the stuff has just been sitting there…which means it’s stuff we mostly don’t need. When we move into a not-so-temporary home, I’m sure some of it will be utilized, but I will be going through EVERYTHING, and being completely honest with myself about need/want.
Time AND stuff. If my time isn’t organized enough, I’ll never even get to the stuff, but dealing with the unorganized stuff cuts into my time. I know there has to be a balance between the two, and I am always working to find it.
I would say a little of both. It definitely takes time to organize ones stuff. I have found that when i see things that need to be organized i seem to get overwhelmed. But if I take a few minutes each day then I start to tackle my stuff. Time management is key, and I need help in that area.
I would say both at times depending on the day but mostly managing my time is a struggle being a pregnant SAHM to an almost-2 year old who has been really unwell these past few weeks. I feel all over the place with little to no time to myself, with my husband, or fulfilling all the house duties I have. It often feels like I’m floundering for time to spend with God, to take naps after a sleepless night, maybe even to eat sometimes (yikes).
Even before my son was unwell though I started to realize the unrealistic expectations I had of myself in terms of time and organization. Being sick during my first trimester, God slowed me down, and helped me settle for a more realistic standard. In preparation for my second baby, I am bracing myself for the high possibility that there will be even less time in the day to organize and do things other than be a Mommy :)
So having said that, I wouldn’t mind reading this book in this season of preparation so I can have some practical ideas to remain sane (!) when it comes to managing my time and organizing my life. And a Target giftcard wouldn’t be so bad either :)
Managing stuff.
For me, it all depends on the day! Those days when I’m at home, I mostly feel like I can get a handle on the “stuff” and manage my time fairly well. Those days that I’m out and about is when it tends to get a bit harder to manage both my time and the stuff that piles up from not being at home to get it all done! :o)
It is the stuff! Not all of it is mine but some belong to my son and husband who are – dare I say it – PACKRATS! It really drives me crazy. I have put it in boxes, stored it, and cleared out everything of mine that is replaceable. Yikes! I need another room, maybe two.
Stuff – how sad is this Huh????
Paper clutter challenges me along with more to do than I have time and energy. My husband and I have begun praying together each morning to ask God for direction for that day. We want to be led, not feel driven. People (grandkids) are a bigger priority for us than organizing our stuff. It’s a delicate balance, and we’ll be learning day by day forever.
Managing my time. I have a lot to do and cannot seem to make it all fit.
Hmmm- I’d have to say organizing my stuff. I try to make a home for everything- but my 2 boys like everything to be OUT. Time isn’t so much a factor for me- YET….
It’s a toss up! As a working mom of two, my time is valuable and I try to stretch it as much as I can. Sometimes being organized falls the bottom of the list in the struggle.
The hardest thing for me is managing my time. I get so wrapped up in the little things and don’t realize how much time I’ve spent on it. I love to organize things, but since I can’t manage time, I don’t usually get around to organizing. It’s a battle :)
Both, I have 2 teens that have busy schedules and lots of things they can’t keep organized. My husband does paperwork everywhere but at his desk in his office.
Struggling alot with paperwork, filing, getting rid of and reading through everything.
How can I efficiently organize restaurant, store (anything not grocery related) coupons?
Actually, managing my time is much more of a struggle for me than organizing is. I love organizing everything (and I mean everything), but when I struggle with managing my time and I let stress overwhelm me my little organized world usually takes a turn for the worse! Sigh.
Congrats! Helping girls get organized is a good thing! Blessings!
Stuff! Especially paper that comes into the house — seems I’m always moving piles around!
Both? Is that answer allowed? I feel like for me when one is disorganized they both are :(
managing my time!
My answer is…….. YES! I am a work in progress on both! :)
I wonder that question ALL the time. My biggest struggle is managing my time. My children and all their “stuff” has my mind out of sorts, haha. Super Mom duties are tough!
Both! But if I had to pick one it would be organizing stuff. I am so overwhelmed I don’t know where to start! Help!
My stuff for sure!!!! I feel like it is taking over my house.
Organizing my stuff… We are still, 6 years later, trying to figure out how to utilize the space in our home more effectively…
I think my time is the biggest challenge for me. Sometimes I feel like I have so much to do and so little time.
I am a GREAT organizer, but a terrible manager of my time. I can keep it together at my job, but once I get home, it is over…didn’t used to be like that. Some rooms look like a snow globe that has been shaken and the STUFF just ends up wherever. :/
For the first time in my life I have asked the Holy Spirit to help me organized my house, my sould, my emoitional and physical life. He is answering my prayer in one way or another, one day at a time. I can see that the Holy Spirit in working in every aspect of my life.
a toss up, altho it changes daily, seriously. a little of everything started it, a child, a way too big house, still working full time with my son coming to work with me. but seriously – i wuldnt trade it for anything! i luv that i’ve gotten to have both all my child’s firsts, and still have my work.
I guess I struggle with organizing my stuff. I can’t seem to find a place for everything, and I feel like my stuff is taking over my house!
We live in a smaller house so I would say it’s harder to organize our stuff!
Both, I think if I was more organized with my time I would also be more organized with my stuff. Though having 5 children makes for a lot of stuff!
Definitely stuff! School stuff, clothes, heirlooms, books in general, our hobbies. It’s all good stuff but its still stuff and its everywhere at this point in my life
Both. I just made a schedule today, and I really need to tackle some clutter!
It would definitely be organizing my stuff. You should see the bed in my spare bedroom! On second thought, you wouldn’t want to see the bed in my spare bedroom! I do try to organize but it is a losing battle for me so I just give up. After all, life is too short, right?!
It would have to be organizing my stuff. Yes, there are times that I feel over scheduled, but that isn’t too often. We just have an apartment that is packed with items. I feel guilty getting rid of my children’s toys – especially when they seem so happy when I get them out of the basement to get rid of some. We have just plain run out of room.
My issue is organizing stuff. I think I’m making headway and look around and didn’t make a dent.. I just want to come home and have some order and be able to find what I need and get rid of the rest.
TIME!! I can’t keep track of it and I’m always losing it. Then in turn I run out of time to organize my “stuff.” Life is just so busy and everyday I try to get a handle on it, but it doesn’t happen… ONE DAY!! :)
time…I always find it hard to include everything that I love doing! Learning to let go of ‘good’ for ‘best’.
I definitely have more trouble with my stuff than my time. I live in an atmosphere of ‘organized chaos’ ;) I guess my main problem is that there is just too MUCH stuff to organize.
Definitely all the “stuff”. After pushing papers all day, the very last thing I want to do is push papers at home. And so it collects in neat little piles that seem to grow each time I blink my eyes.
I agree completely! :)
Definitely my “stuff”! We are a young family but we are crazy busy with college, daycare, and working full time. Our little two bedroom apt is not enough sometimes!
I am a chronic procrastinator, so for me it is definitely TIME! If only I had the “time” to deal with all the stuff! Most days I”m lucky if I remember to eat meals!
My “Stuff” is much harder for me to keep organized. I’m a disabled lady and when things get out of order my life is so much HARDER!!!! When my “Stuff” is unorganized that makes it even harder for me to organize my time, to remember dates and to even rest well at night. It makes me feel as if my whole life is “out of order.” I make a TO DO list most everyday but sadly most days I don’t get through it, so lately i’ve been making a weekly to do list so I don’t feel as bad when I dont get finished. HO HUM….. =(
Total chaos….4 kids so many schedules and too much stuff.
HELP!!!!
I only have two and it’s hard. Can not imagine 4.
I must say BOTH! Managing my time would be easier if I didn’t have so many people to “share” it with!
Organizing my work space is easy, my house is NOT!
Organizing my stuff!! The papers keep piling up no matter how much I pitch. I am drowning in piles!!!
Both are unorganized. Became a full time grandmother working full time and single after a 33 year marriage.
I’m an awesome organizer if I could ever just find the time to do it. Yes, time managment is a challenge for me, especially when I lose focus and find myself at the whim of my children.
Both! Kids, moving and trying to organize my at-home business have all helped me to lose control of my time and space. Help!
I have to admit, managing my time is a lot more difficult than my stuff. I know I waste a LOT of time. :::sigh:::: Thanks for the chance to win! :) I appreciate you!
I don’t do well at either one but I’ve always thought that I would be better at managing my time if I just once could get everything put away where it belongs. I’ve been in such a mess for so long now, I rarely leave my house because to go anywhere is such a hassle to get ready that I’m exhausted before I even leave. I am ashamed of me and I believe my husband (of 41 years) is ashamed of me too. I am afraid to throw things out but I don’t know why. I would love some help that wuld teach me why I’m like this. Thank you.
Organizing my stuff! I have 3 boys ages 7, 6, and 4. We moved this THIS house when the 4 year old was only 5 weeks old, so I didn’t really get organized and settled in then…then I had a hysterectomy a year later, hernia surgery 9 months later and another hernia surgery 4 months after that….and then w/their school and sports and just “LIFE” I feel like I have never caught up to get THIS house organized….now that all 3 are in school this year, that is my goal….to get EVERY ROOM organized!
Definately time management ! If I could commit and really schedule my time better, I’d find the time to get “stuff” organized. As a busy work from home Mom, juggling my age-gapped childrens schedules (adult, high school & middle school) around my own atop my 20 yr old daughter & grandbaby having moved back in , my former methods have gone out the window!
EEK !!! HELP !!
Wendy
It seems like the older I get and the more involved with activities my child is in, the less organized I have become. I work full time and can’t seem to find the time to keep up with life. It gets frustrating, especially, since I am a neat freak and like things just so.
How did I ever GET so much stuff????? So blessed that we are so blessed…however, we are requiring a better system to organize! I did used to be SO organized…this speaks to my heart!
My time. I spend too much time on Facebook…
Managing my time which leads to problems organizing my stuff cause then I don’t have time to do it.
At this point in my life, your question is more like which came first, the chicken or the egg. I would have to be more organized to get all my stuff organized and if I had my stuff organized, I would be able to be more organized myself. And I continue to go around that mountain……..
Wow, I was just sitting here praying(and crying) because I am feeling completely overwhelmed! My house is in complete chaos…and I can’t get my teens(13 and 15) to buy in to the vision that we need to get organized(their lecture this morning)
School starts Monday…I’m don’t have my daughter’s lesson plans ready yet. I am already stressing about HER lack of time management and worried that her homeschool lessons will take ALLL day! Praying that God will give me the wisdom on how to teach her how to manager her time better.
Wait..did I answer the question yet.? What was it again? LOL!
Please pick me…I need help getting it together!
I’ve given up! There is no help for me! :)
To organize our family stuff is much difficult, there are so many things that I want to keep and so small places available. Some help and advise is always welcome.
Oh Geez, organizing my stuff is so tramatic. I get so overwhelmed and do not no where to start. I think it is hereditary in my family. My poor husband.
Managing my time seems to be more difficult lately. With 3 kids now all in school and sports starting, I find my time getting away from me and day to day things being forgotten.
I SO need help organizing my STUFF! With 2 girls, ages 3 and almost 8 and a baby girl on the way, I need ALL the help organizing I can! Been trying to declutter stuff all over the house. The living room and bedrooms always have room for improvement. I just need a plan! I would covet this book! I think managing time wisely helps organization! I could use my time more wisely too! Thank you for all your encouragement! Looking forward to winning this FAB book! :-)
Proverbs 3:5-6
I think organizing my stuff is the hardest for me because I have too much stuff and not enough room. I get overwhelmed just thinking about having to sort through it all in order to organize it.
I have trouble just managing my time so that I CAN organize all my stuff!! And where do I even begin??
Organizing my time is the most difficult. I need more balance regarding, God’s time, family time and work time. Of course that includes time for organizing!
It is definately both for me. I always feel behind and that I am working all the time.
I need help with organizational skills. I am in my early 20’s and a stay at home mom of two toddler girls and pregnant (due October 28). I never seem to be able to stay organized. I need help!!!! My husband deserves to come home to an organized house where he can jsut relax and unwind from work. He is in the military and has a very stressful job!!!! I hate how I feel like he always comes home to a mess (even though it isnt really messy-just unorganized and cluttered). I tend to be a bit of a pack rat (not the worst case but still consider myself one). Please help me to get my life back on track before this third baby comes!!!!! Thank you so much and God Bless you all!!!!!
I think organizing my things is a HUGE challenge for me, because organizing my time has essentially worked out to comprising lists and using my Google calendar to get me through the week.
On the other hand though, going through my mounds of papers that have been thrown into boxes and tucked away in the corner of my room never to be seen again…well to say that phrase loosely…could and probably will result in me forgetting where and why I forgot to send this and that in. Especially when I get a notice saying, “We regret to inform you…” It can be very frustrating. Granted I am oh so thankful that I have gone “paperless” when it comes to bills and oh so thankful that our technology allows us to do most things electronically otherwise I really would be in a major slump every week/month.
Unfortunately, that is just for bills. All the other stuff still remains unorganized. Sometimes when I have a spare moment I go through these boxes of what I deem “necessary” and make little piles of where each paper, letter, postcard, trinket, etc. should go, but then I get distracted by a phone call or the doorbell and I forget about the piles until later on or the next day (so sad).
I feel like a clutter queen and no matter how I try I can never fully wrap myself around organization — ha ha…
I’m actually hoping to win this book for my sister-in-law. She is a wonderful wife & mom, but I know she is overwhelmed with organizing her stuff and her time. She is a full-time working mother of 3 who has found herself far from the organized stay-at-home-mom she was with her 1st child. I know this book would be such an encouragement to her, as she really gets down on herself for the condition of her house and the piles of laundry that seem to grow in every room. I know she’s not alone and I’d like her to see that for herself, and perhaps get some tips on how to get a handle on things again, as well as knowing what things are important, and what things you just have to let go of.
Thanks!
Beth
As a first grade teacher with 2 children of my own finding time to organize is tough… Would love to get some practical tips on the ways to do it all and organize it all.
Organizing all the stuff. My husband and kids are pack rats and have to save EVERYTHING! Although I am really not a whole lot better. We lose things all the time in all our piles of stuff. I have a hard enough time trying to keep myself organized, let alone the rest of them!
Managing my time seems to be the most challenging right now, but second is managing my kids or helping my kids manage their stuff.
I think that for me it is a toss up as to what is harder to organize! I am currently expecting baby #4, I am in school full time finishing up my BA in English and then getting ready to move onto to my Master’s, and I am homeschooling my three other little ones! On top of all that my husband has just been voted in as a deacon at our church! There is literally not enough time in my day to organize everything that needs to be done or de-junk everything to get ready for the new baby! I remember what a clean house looks like though…..~SIGH~
I wish i could say i have ever been organized, but before 5 kids i use to at least appear that way. I have a goal to get it together, but keeping up with basic housework and homeschooling rarely lends time for me to get to the clutter!
My biggest problem is organizing my stuff! I live in a big house and it’s too full! The kids are leaving the nest and leave much of their stuff to add to the fullness! Help!!
For me, orgaizing my stuff and time are one in the same…. I cannot seem to get my head around which stuff to begin organizing and how to start so I waste all my time NOT organizing and then looking for things I stashed away, unorganized!
I’d say stuff is more difficult for me with time being a close second. I’m sure if I could manage my time better, I could manage the stuff better, too. I would love, love, love this book. Thanks!
That is so totally ME! I DID use to be so organized!!! If I were blessed enough to win this book, will it come with the secret to tell me WHEN I can fit reading it into my busy, lately UNorganized life???? I hope it does – no, seriously, I mean it. LOL
Working full time…going to school full time…trying to take care of my home and family…being organized? I can’t find the time!
Definitely both. If I had my stuff organized I’d have more time….
The organization is a bigger struggle for me! I too have piles everywhere!! Help!!’ :)
Both! But managing my time. has been more difficult for me. Trying to keep up with things in the house, spending time with my family, etc is hard. Things get piled up and it’s hard to know where to start.
My stuff is way harder to organize than my time.
I am thrown for a loop on both. Don’t think I have ever been fully organized…although I get one area in order and another falls apart…not sure what that is all about!
I would also have to say time and stuff!! Our grown son recently moved back into our house, so have been trying to clear things out of the basement so he has his space. Then figuring out what to do with that stuff!! Plus have a 10 and 7 year olds who have too much stuff! Try to clear their things out, but difficult when they still play with everything they have! UGH! Also struggle with time because my husband and son work second shift, so try to be quiet in the morning so they can sleep, but by noon I lose all motivation to do anything! Again…UGH!
We are trying to sell our house that we have lived in for the last 10 years. I have spent the entire summer going through and trying to organize stuff. That book would sure be helpful in my life right now.
Ok, for me its a toss up. I have 2 toddlers. I try to get things mostly cleaned and organized before my husband and I go to sleep but after the babies have gone to sleep. Everything is a wreck by 10 AM! They stay at home full time so our living room in both a classroom, playroom, dining room, and (for the moment) potty training area. Guests are always perplexed by why our bookshelves are turned around backwards. There wouldn’t be enough hours in the day to put everything back in its place if they weren’t inaccessible to little hands. I need this book.
It is for SURE organizing my stuff. I have five kids (four of which are teenagers) and we are the “go to” house for hanging out so there is always something happening…and I can’t ever seem to get everything put away in a way that it will stay clean!!!
This book looks great!!
Time management and being organized go hand in hand for me. I am not good at either one. If I had time I could be better organized or if I was organized I would have more time. Makes a person cross-eyed to think about it :-)
Both, depending on the time of year! During the school year, time is the issue. During the summer, clutter is the issue! I can keep up with the stuff when the kids are at school, but when they are home full time… watch out! And when they are home, time is easier to organize, but when school starts, time slips away during the day, and when they get home its go go go!
At this present moment, managing my time seems to be the kink in my organzational skills. I am a stay at home mother of twin toddlers. I really thought I would be able to keep my house clean, spend quality time with the Lord, Spend quality time with my kids, be a great wife, and up keep the yard, laundry, groceries, etc. after I quit my job. Boy was I wrong. For someone being so anal, I have had a wake up call in time management – the hard way. There doesn’t seem to be enough time. Is there?? I love being home with my kids, just wish my house, “Chores” and time with God didn’t get cut short.
Organizing my stuff is way harder – small house & too much stuff – ugh!!
I did used to be more organized……Seems the older I get the more out of kilter my world gets!! I get frustrated trying to get it all done and work a full time job!! I just throw the towel in!! help!
I love to organize my stuff but I cannot keep my time organized. I will think of something I need to get done and start that before finishing a project I already started! Then, after working on things all afternoon, by the end of the night I really don’t get ANYTHING accomplished except making myself tired!
Organizing stuff is definite challenge for me esp. with 4 children!
I think right now it is a mixture of both, we just moved and there never seems to be enough time to get everything unpacked.
Organizing my stuff is the biggest challenge, and organizing around all the other stuff that everyone else brings into the house!
I have way more trouble managing my time!
Both throw me for a loop! I am the mom of 2, wife of a cancer patient and a full time employee. Between the job, the kids’ activities and the travel for my hubby’s treatments, I feel as though I am in a constant state of chaos!
I’d have to say, our stuff. Time was once too busy but God has worked with me on that one and with all that, He has rewarded me immensely. We’re (me and the good Lord) have been working on the stuff. And then I read this post!! Wow. Coincidence??? I think not.
Once we allow ourselves for God to intervene changes will be a blessing. I LOVE HIM!!!!! =)
I was just going to write my time (It is so hard to be a full time working mom when the family still thinks your a full time stay at home mom. Sigh…) until I could not find my mouse under all the papers on my desk. When will squeeze in reading time? Hmmm. Does it come in audio format?
My stuff isn’t a problem for me. I don’t like clutter, so I don’t keep things I don’t use or intend to use. Organizing my time is my problem. When I worked, I actually used my time more wisely. Now that I am retired, I can be distracted easily and get sidelined without much encouragement.
Organizing my stuff.. I can’t manage my time well because my “stuff” is so disorganized. Try to heat out of the door and I waste time looking for my keys. Trying to get dresed…ugh…Everthing in my closet is wrinkled because the closet is too full and who has time to iron? I get depressed looking at all the piles of papers, clothes, school stuff, baby stuff, etc, that seems to be everywhere.. Every couple of months I give tons of stuff to charity but what’s remaining seems to mulitply!!!!
Lately, I’d have to say that it’s a toss up. It’s seems to be hard to find enough time to get all the organizing accomplished. The trouble is I have a garage filled with stuff that isn’t even mine. I somtimes feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. This book sounds really good to me!
organizing my stuff. somehow all my kids stuff ends up with mine and it gets cluttered really fast.
Organizing my stuff has me in a tizzy! With our boys growing up, you would think it would get easier. But alas, it is not. Help, help, I need help!! : ~ }
Organizing my time is my downfall…and it’s the must important, crucial thing to have organized. You can’t get lost time back…stuff, it’ll always be around.
Def. organizing my stuff is the bigger challenge. But sometimes I find my time to be disappearing more and more everyday too. I guess it’s a toss up! If I was forced to get one of the two under control I would choose time. Time is something we can never get back and with a little management I could have more time for the more important things in life like my Family! 8-)
I am both! I have lost my ability to focus and finish a project. People who knew me BC (before children) are shocked at my current level of disorganization, as am I when I stop to think about it.
It depends on the day! :) I think my “stuff” can be easier to organize than my time though – I try to have a place for my “stuff”, but with 3 kids, a husband, a dog, a full-time job and another part time job . . . . ugh, I guess “time” is ALWAYS a struggle – if only I didn’t need to sleep!! :)
I have more trouble organizing my time. If I had the time, I could organize my stuff.
Managing my time is way harder! Somehow the day seems to slip by with a 4.5 year old, an almost 3 year old, and 2 month old! I look back at the end of the day and ask myself “Did I even do anything today??”
Hi,
I find that both can be hard. But when your stuff if organized, this really helps with your time managment. You won’t spend so much time and effort looking for things. I try to get rid of and clear out the clutter and it always helps me to be a better time manager!
Stuff….big calendar keeps my time managed:)
I used to be super organized . . . and then I had kids!
That’s a hard one! I think, since I am still at college, managing my time is a bit more challenging. I am sure that when I am older and I have more stuff, it will probably become trickier to handle.
Finding the time to organize stuff!!! So much stuff and so little time… Something always comes up anytime I try to start to organize, it seems nothing get finished. It’s just organized chaos. I may appear to be “organized” to everyone else, but it’s all just a chaotic mess of half started/half finished “good ideas”. I guess honestly that hardest part is that a lot of the “Stuff” is not my own but the “left behinds” of all the people that we have helped over the years, and we are still always doing whatever we can whenever we can to help others. life is just non-stop things to do, people to see, places to go, and stuff to clean and organize. It seems that the organization being last on the list of “To Dos” always goes “unfinished”
Definitely my stuff! I have a hard time letting things go.
Oh my… organizing!!! Always organizing! We just moved 1,000 miles after 11 years in the same town. We knew we had to down size and I was able to get rid of a lot of “things” that I just didn’t use anymore or need or were broken or… well you know … just didn’t wnat to have to pack and move! But I am having the worst time getting my new (smaller) home organized! There is very little storage space in this older, former beach house – both inside and out! I just can’t seem to wrap my head around where to put everything or how to store it! plus, it is a rental for us and we will probably be moving to a more permament house in 2 years. I think I have to downsize further and come up with some new organizational solutions! Plus, I need to find more time for God – which will be easier once I find everything and feel like I am breathing in God’s word and instead of sitting in a house full of clutter! Help!!!
Stuff…..things get thrown down , pushed aside, piled up while I run off to the next appointment. Help a mother of 3 boys… :~S
Managing my time. It really only takes a couple minutes a day to organize something. After taking care of my four kids under 5 all day, when I get a couple minutes to myself, the last thing I want to do is clean out a closet, etc.
Organizing my stuff is so much harder for me. I have too much stuff and not enough space. I clean things out every few weeks and get things organized in one room and while I do that, another room falls apart. Keeping track of everyone’s stuff is also difficult.
BOTH! But definitely managing my time. I stay at home and feel like I used to be organized when I left my house for work everyday. Now I’m a stay at home mom and although it is hard to organize my family’s stuff, my time is harder to keep track of!!!
With 7 moves in 6 years in this wonderful Army life and 2 preschoolers with so many “treasured art projects” I think the stuff is the most overwhelming for me. I’m still struggling with finding out how to breathe in the midst of the chaos!
Definitely would have to be the “stuff.” Just got back from visiting family in ND and going through all our stuff stored there (pre-marriage/early marriage crap). Can’t seem to get rid of most of it for some reason, but also don’t have room to drive it all back to AK. Back home we have all the papers in the mail that we intend to scan and organize on the computer, all the new toys from our little guy joining our family a year ago, old DVDs, etc. How does it all add up? And why is it so hard to get rid of some of it (because we do have a plan for it after all)? Oh and the other problem is our budget ends up prioritized for things other than bookshelves or storage containers, so it just gets piled in the storage bedroom and then has to be organized before family comes to visit. Phew, so all in all, it is the stuff that has me frustrated!
BOTH definitely throw me for a loop! I just had my third baby, and he definitely took whatever organization abilities I had left, which wasn’t much anyway! ?
organizing the clutter is definitely more of a challenge or I should say keeping the organization once I do a declutter!
i feel like a nut case sometimes. I’m so overwhelmed with everything that I continually jump back and forth with projects, chores, etc. and nothing gets accomplished. Then I feel bad about myself. I’m exhausted and I see no progress and feel like giving up.
Both! I have found myself in the “I can’t trust myself to remember to do something” phase!! It is unreal, I don’t know how many times just when I think I get to lay myself down for a good nights sleep….. the to do list pops in my head of all I didn’t have time to do are just plain out forgot to do.
I’ve even found that having more then a few things on my plate at work just about do me in! This is unreal becaues I use to live for the many things I could get done in a day. Now I panic when I’ve got deadlines!
I do a fairly good job of organizing my time – I’d be lost without my planner! However, despite my best intentions, I seem to fall short when it comes to organizing my stuff. And the older my kids get, the more stuff we seem to have! We are starting a remodeling project this month and I have so many dreams for my new space. I want to be able to conquer my stuff and enjoy my new space!
Organizing my stuff. Even though I’m an Industrial Engineer and known as an organizer, can’t do anything with my own stuff.
No storage space in my home. This would be great to get some organization going!!
Time. I was laid off in April from a stressful and time-consuming job as a corporate attorney, and, if I had a dollar for every time someone said: “So, what are you doing with all your free time now?” I’d not need to look for work for a very long time. The fact is, that I’m not sure when I found time to work. Between finishing a home remodel, putting my house on the market, keeping the house in pristine “showing” condition, applying for jobs, networking, etc., I’ve been busy. I also have a lengthy “things that have needed to be done for the past 5 years” list that hangs over my head. I’m realizing that having the structure of a corporate office with deadlines and accountability made some things easy. There were certain tasks that I had to finish before I could come home. Now, I’m having trouble prioritizing and focusing.
Organizing our stuff!!!!!!! I am a wife and working mother of two little girls 2 yrs and 4 months! We bought an old home a year ago and are slowly rennovating so lots of stuff and boxes and tools and….. you get the idea! unfortunately when things are unorganized it tends to lead to time management going downhill as well!
My unorganized collection of stuff is overwhelming. Been planning to reclaim my space and free my life of clutter. I’d love to win this!
managing stuff, definitely
Ahhhhhhhhhhh……it’s organizing. If I am organized I can keep better track of my time and be more efficient and effective. But it’s so overwhelming for me to get and stay organized as a SAHM of a busy 3 year old that I lack both organization and time management lately. I so need help!!!!
Right now, organizing my time is an issue. I feel torn between my ministry position, home, & family all the time. If I give time to one, all the other things take more time to catch up on and I feel anxious and on edge. And then there’s the guilt for not spending enough time with my kids, or helping my husband farm more, or keeping a cleaner house, or spending time with God each day! It is frustrating because I use to “have it all together” then life happened…..
I can definitely relate to the title of this book. I used to be so organized before I married, had children, and on and on . . . . . Since summer started, everything has gone awry in our house. I am a stay at home mom/teacher plus I handle the scheduling/billing for my husbands business and am actively involved in my church. Three months ago I could still say I was good at managing our time and the house, but I often feel like it now controls me. My husband’s business has grown, which is a blessing from God, but after reading a lot about Paul lately, I have come to realize I need to set my limits on how much I can do and do those things “to the finish”. I am actually looking forward to the school year, hoping that it will help us get back on track. This book sounds like a PERFECT tool for me to refocus and balance my life to include God, my spouse, children, their education, the business, and myself. Can’t wait to read it!
I feel that both are an issue for me. Being retired, I’m supposed to have so much free time. But I find myself busier than ever and seem to get less done. And a lifetime of accumulating “stuff” is thrown into the mix.
Over 11 years ago before I said, “I Do”. I knew where everything was. Knew what was in the accounts and what bills needed to be paid. After I married my husband things have changed. Now three boys later I find myself in a beautiful un-finished house where testosterone out numbers me. Hoping the book might help. If not maybe HGTV
I would have to say…. BOTH!! :)
Organizing my stuff seems to have the top honors of frustration right now. I am typically not a pack rat but have been finding myself holding on to things thinking “you never know when I will need that”. I have found that especially true since being laid off from my job almost 3 years ago. Having to be frugal has turned into keeping everything: and I don’t have enough room for this much frugal!!!
For me, it’s the stuff. Especially the paper kind of stuff. I have piles. I have piles beneath the piles. Sometimes the cat nests in the paper piles on the floor. I want a new paper-life. Thanks.
Organizing my time! Cooking, cleaning, grocery store, taxiing kiddos, time with kiddos, date night….where does the time go!
It would have to be organizing all the STUFF! If I could just get it all in order I would have more time to do other stuff. It’s the stuff that just keeps me from getting to the fun stuff I really want to do…..like crocheting, scrapbooking, photography, crafts, etc. (but then that’ll just be more stuff for me to keep organized; lol) Can you help???
Organizing my stuff! I’m expecting twins in three weeks and though we have made some headway with our stuff, there is still TOO MUCH stuff.
Managing my time is definitely tougher! But I’m not so great with my stuff either!
That crazy stuff…it is overwhelming. I can rock and roll through a day – run 350 kids at VBS like a highly trained machine, coordinate all the team parents at football, keep my shop stocked, cute and organized…but at home I can’t find the bills to pay on time, and can’t return library books on time, and can’t see the kitchen counter. I do manage to always have the kids school stuff organized. What happened? Partly leting it get worse and worse overtime, and now it is overwhelming. I know it is a visual and mental drag on me…..help!!!!!!!!!
My stuff because once it ends up in a pile somewhere or it is out of order it takes so much time to “re-order”. If having trouble managing time I find it easier to sit down and take a look at my schedule / calendar and start re-prioritizing, etc. much easier to accomplish much quicker than “re-ordering / re-organizing stuff”.
BOTH!!! If I could organize my time better I could deal with my stuff and if I dealt with my stuff I would have a better handle on my time! What a mess!
For sure, it’s time management. There are days I look up and think “wait, what..” and again I’m late for something. Again!
Organizing my stuff…as a homeschooler my time has to be organized but alas when I run out of time it is my stuff that gets neglected. Our storage room has been nicknamed “the black hole” by my husband!
Definitely organizing my stuff. I try. I try different systems. I have a great label maker and I make pretty labels for my files, and that lasts maybe 24 hours. I think I am missing the organizing gene. Sometimes I look at things and realize I don’t have a clue what to do with them. I need help!
Organization, definitely. It’s so hard to stay on top of the mountains of papers/mail.
Definately stuff! Time is a close second though. With two kids, PTO, church ladies group, subbing, girl and boy scouts time is short (which may be why my stuff is unorgainzed) : )
I think organizing my STUFF. Four of us live in a 2 bedroom apartment and alot of my stuff is in the (unfinished/not useable) basement. VERY hard to organize it and keep it useful where it is most useful. I don’t have a problem with organizing schedules etc. We usually end up where we need to be on time or early! This book (mentioned above) sounds great!
Organizing my stuff! I am in desperate need of help.
Both – I spend too much time on the computer and not enough on cleaning:) I need to learn to limit my computer time and maximize my cleaning time!
Ha ha! I could have written exactly the same thing! You are not alone!
Def stuff. I feel its a lack of space thing. But I could be wrong .
Karoluna
It is completely a toss up for me! Since having children, organization feels impossible! Although I think I’m at the best point we’ve ever been at… 7-1/2 years in!
Being organized is definitely my biggest challenge. The children are all grown & out of the house now. We own a landscape company, which we run out of our house, we’re finishing a complete remodel job on the inside of the ouse as well. We’re doing the remodel job ourselves, & like I stated earlier, we run a small business out of our house. Sometimes my husband works 12-14 hrs a day. So remodeling is going slowly,(we started in Nov.)
We’re trying to purge stuff we don’t need, use or want anymore. We still have stuff from the kids hanging around. Most of the time the house looks like a bomb went off in it. I’m a bad housekeeper anyway. I had a housekeeper for years, but due to the economy had to stop that. Plus I work outside of the house 18 hrs a week.
I desperately need HELP!!!! My husband is very unorganized too which doesn’t help. I’m still looking for my kitchen table, I know it’s under there somewhere.
Well my life is not nearly as rough as some of the other ladies that commented on here. But with just getting married last year and then having a preemie baby shortly after, both time and clutter management have been an issue.
I have so much trouble managing my time and keeping my stuff organized! It is a toss up as to which is more of a struggle.
organizing my stuff…..Here is a description of my closets and cabinets, QUICK shut the door before something falls out! HELP!
:o)
Stuff….not so much dates and schedules, but THINGS!!!
Oh, time hands down. My husband thinks I struggle with stuff as well, but I’m only untidy when compared to him and his mother! My problem with time is usually over-commitment. And, of course, that can be emotional as well as spatial!
Moving 4 times in the last 5 yrs with 5 y/o and 3 y/o boys has put me in an organizing challenge. I can’t find my own underwear sometimes! Help! But, I haven’t left the house with anyone naked or hungry so I gotta give myself kudos ! ha!
Both!
I was going to say stuff. I love to plan to organize, but then it all goes down hill fast and any hint of organization is now complete chaos. I also feel like my third daughter has left me baren of any hope I had to be an organized mom.
But then your form asked for my website. I used to be caught up on my scrapbooks and my blog. I don’t know when the last time is that I scrapbooked, and I just had a friend e-mail me, concerned because I haven’t touched my blog since May.
Please help me!
Keeping my husband’s stuff organized is tough. I’m keeping him, just want to get rid of his stuff
Finding the time to organize my stuff!! I have great plans but run out of time :(
I can organize my own time and my own stuff very well, but when I throw four girls into the mix, it’s tough! Four kids…four different agendas….four bedrooms full of stuff….four different sizes of shoes, clothes, coats, etc……and I wonder why I struggle?? Think of the wealth of knowledge packed into my little brain!!
STUFF!!!! HELP ME!!!
I never have enough time to manage all my stuff. My stuff definitely needs organizing or tossing. Time to simplify, whenever I get a minute…
I can organize my own time and my own stuff very well, but when I throw four girls into the mix, it’s tough! Four kids…four different agendas….four bedrooms full of stuff….four different sizes of shoes, clothes, coats, etc……and I wonder why I struggle?? Think of the wealth of knowledge packed into my little brain!! Will it ever change?
For me it’s both. I’m a senior citizen and I baby sit my great granddaughter.
She comes at 6:30 am and leaves around 4:00 pm. Then I’m too tired to do
anything. Can’t get everything done on Saturdays. I used to be very organized; but not anymore.
I was going to say both, but in reality, it’s managing my time. When I actually take the time, I can organize my stuff. But I’m so bad with my time, that organization, among many, many, other things, falls by the wayside.
It’s organizing all of the stuff for me….finding a place for everything(home, school, work) and keeping it all there. Because my time at work and other obligations are set, it becomes the matter of keeping all of my stuff in a specific place. I’ll take any tips you’ve got…
I Love to Organize everything in my home, but managing to get a grip on my Time always stumps me and leaves me feeling like my days are not fruitful enough. What I need to do always seems to be mapped out in my head, but doing it in a Timely manner always gets the best of me.
Organizing my stuff is harder. I never know where to put all my stuff.
Oh my goodness, BOTH! I have a teen boy, 2 elementary age boys AND I run a full daycare of 9 kids 3 and under. If I could ever learn how to pull it together and get organized, I am pretty sure anyone would be able to!
I find it difficult to organize my stuff. I’ve been married 21+ years, and have 5 kids. I used to be so clean and organized, and life happened. We moved from a large home into a much smaller one, and then added my parents who now live with us. Too many people + too much stuff = lots of stress and clutter!
For me it is definitely the stuff that is my biggest challenge – mostly paper.
If I could get the time management thing down, I just know my stuff would be more organized . . . :)
I just wish I had the time to manage my time so that I could get organized! Work, Kids , this and don’t forget that!
Organization is my new problem!!! Small house, husband and 2 toddlers AND too many “junk” drawers!
Organizing my stuff!! We’re moving in 2 weeks and I look around overwhelmed by it all; wanting to get rid of things but unsure. I don’t want to take it with me and just stick it in my new houses basement…. sigh.
I’m spending too much time trying to find my stuff! SO, right now at this point in my life I’d say I’ve become “bad” at both time and organization………oh, how I long for the days when I had it “together”. On Sunday nights I used to plan my wardrobe for the week………..now I’m running around taking the “chicken with the head cut-off approach” trying to manage 3 kids, a household, a new business, church duties and a musician husband. My approach tends to rob my joy…..gotta work on the being content in all things idea, and find a new approach!
I feel the same way. I used to have everything in its place, but now it’s wherever I drop it when I walk in the door. Need to get it back in shape.
Both! I don’t have time to organize my stuff!!
Time is my biggest challenge. I work a gullying job, have two kids (3 and 8 weeks) and try to run our home. Man the time just disappears and organizing things goes to the bottom of the list. I know it would make life smoother but to find the time. A coworker told me once I would not be organized once I had kids. I thought she was wrong. Turns out I was wrong. Thanks.
I have been diagnosed with ADHD. But I don’t think it’s that severe that I need medication. I have been trying to use time management skills instead of medication. I know that time management is definately hard for me and I need to be really organized or my life would be crazy. I am great at organizing but no one in my home helps me with keeping it that way. It leads to major frustration and anxiety! I would be so blessed with a copy of this book.
Organizing my “stuff” is my most daunting challenge. I have many articles and papers in various piles along with books all begging for a place to call home. I have also many craft projects that are awaiting my magic touch but have been placed either in the closet or under the space the dresser affords. I have shifted through the materials many times but each time I assign them to a different site and promptly leave them to be orphaned again! The daily chores of cleaning and caring for my home, two cats and my husband are prioties that railroad my determination to become ORGANIZED! The Lord wants me to be a person who keeps things “decently and in order” as the Word advices. My daily prayer is to be a person who is able to glorify the Lord in all areas of my life.
organizing my ‘stuff’!! seems like the more organized i get, the more stuff gets in the way?!? :o)
Looking at some of the posts it seems I am in good company, but on my own I feel like I am the only mother that cannot keep a clean, organized home. It doesn’t matter if I spend 15 minutes a day, an hour a day, or a marathon Saturday “working on my house”, I never seem to make any progress! Time management is fine – or is it?!? LOL Thank you for the encouragement. God Bless You.
I love the idea of organization…but i start looking around at everything and end up so overwhelmed it just paralyzes me! I never even know where to start with the stuff and chores around my house. I’m much more able to organize my time because it is already planned out for me. I have to be to work by 7:30, pick up the kids at this time, drop off one at that time, etc. Well, maybe my time isn’t as organized as i think, but i have less control over it so it seems more organized.
Definitely, definitely the organizing part is more difficult….most of the reason is because I don’t have anywhere to put the “stuff” that I have….I need something to put it in. I did tackle a closet this summer, and it looks nice and neat now….I give it a month! LOL! My biggest wish is that I could orangize the master bedroom closet. My husband loves to hold on to things, and that makes it harder for me…
I’m pretty organized, so I think I struggle more so with managing my time. I have a neat (but large) to-do list on my phone that helps remind me of things, but its getting everything done that is the hardest!
I think that life has thrown me a loop in both organization and time management. I will explain, I am a mom that works and goes to school. I am married, and I have an 18 year old daughter that just graduated from high school and is going to have a baby in December. I find myself looking at all the things I would like to do, and only picking the priorities. Like laundry, cleaning, homework, and sleep and have added trying to get my daughter up on her feet to be independant. That is all I can do in a day, week, month. She has a job and is trying to get her life together but still needs guidance. So I find myself helping her more and homework less. This is driving me crazy! Thank you for at least letting me vent a bit. Stacy Rucker
I love to get organized, organizing my time is way more difficult! The fact that the rest of my household does not see the importance in organization makes my attempts way more difficult!
Organizing my time! I’m a full time trial lawyer, mother of a 2.5 year old with another due any day now and an airline pilot husband who is gone 4 days a week living 8.5 hours from family. Life is crazy and managing my time is more difficult. Seems like I’m always going somewhere or looking at the clock. I do tend to let my toddler go to bed later, just because I LOVE playing with her and figure I can put off picking up the house until after we’ve had adequate mommy/daughter time in the evenings, but then I’m up doing laundry and dishes at 11 PM wondering why I am so tired the next day!
It’s a toss up…some days its my time, some days its our stuff…most days its both. As a SAHM of a 3 & 6 year old who works PT from home and has recently diagnosed health issues, I find I have more to do and less time and energy to do it. Im also finding we just have too much stuff and if we had less, it would be easier to organize. I find hope and comfort in the fact that God has a plan and He is in control!
With 9 Children its definitely STUFF & that’s also the reason I can’t type a lengthy paragraph unless it’s extremely necessary . d:
I would just like to say organization and time go hand and hand with me and always have I am so bad with them both I have passed this on to my childern and one is headed to college next year they all try to do better but we all struggle with this I wish someone could come in and show me how to do it and then I can keep it going long after and my kids would be able to live a better life, I would love to implament this idea everyday instead every once in awhile, I will always keep tryin and hoping to get it right!
BOTH! Organizing my stuff a little more .. … my daugther moved home from overseas, got married & had a baby all within a relatively short period of time. I have remnants from all of that all over my house. Howeve,r, as an aging parent … I sometimes succumb to the need to rest & recharge before trying to attack said conglomeration of mass chaos. I used to keep going until it was all done …. Now it just doesn’t seem as much of a priority as it used to. I really do need (and want) help! <3
It is a toss up for me. I get overwhelmed and then lose my
Motivation and even get depressed.
I’m not able to manage the time TO organize my stuff!!! LOL Boy, do I need an organization intervention. : )
YES : )
BOTH! I just sent my 18 yr old to California to college (the really messy one), graduated an older one and my 16 yr old started his jr year today. We looked for a new house to move my mother-in-law in with us for the past year and just decided to build onto our house instead. Therefore, the packing we did to move is in the garage and the builders are coming next week and we must eliminate one more room of belongings to share space with her. I am glad she is coming but the many challenges we already went through to get to this point have left me very tired and overwhelmed at the new packing we must do, sorting and throwing as well as moving back into the house the many boxes already packed .I won’t mention the changes at work :) I am so thankful to have been reminded daily in the “Jesus Calling” devotions that moment by moment we can keep taking our concerns to Him, that He is a part of bringing them as well as working through them!
Time management. If I managed my time better I would be able to get the organizing done….hopefully. With 4 kids, 2 dogs, a horse, a goat and a husband on the road most of the time….it is a far fetched dream of mine :)
Managing my time. Hands down. SO bad at it!!! Thanks gals. : )
I have been wanting to get this book! It looks like a great read and I would love the new ideas.
I could organize my stuff if I could manage my time. And I could manage my time if I could organize my stuff!!! I am so caught in a loop.
my “stuff”…I have about 15-20 yrs of “stuff.” By God’s Grace, I am purging and decluttering. But, need any help I can get…LOL
I have trouble getting my family to help keep things organized. Our schedule gets all out-of-whack with sports and family functions. Overall, I’ve just had to learn to say “no” to some things…even if I want to do them.
It’s a pretty close call as to which throws me for a loop more, but organizing stuff probably wins out by a hair.
I think it is both. I am a single mom. When I was working it seemed like there was just no way to get everything I wanted done and organized now that I have been out of work due to an injury it seems worse. I do not get I have more time but feel less organized.
The bad thing is – I am retired! Now why can’t I organize my stuff and my time – I don’t know. However, I am on a quest – I have set certain goals for organization before Christmas. That may seem like a long way off to some people but it is way to close for me.
Managing my time! It always seems to run away from me, even with BlackBerry, MS Outlook, and Post-It note reminders, I feel like I’m always playing catch up. Even worse, I feel like my five-year-old daughter is always getting the short-end of the stick, especially when she needs me most. I used to have it together, but now that I’m a single Mom, in a word, it’s hard. I can organize my stuff, but sometimes I get the feeling I over organize my stuff and my life to make up for not being able to better manage my time. Thankfully though, where I end, God picks up the rest and keeps my life going! Amen!
Boy does that fit me now, I have little pieces of paper with Bibles verses all over the place mu three tied organizer has now turned into heaps of papers, etc all around it. The someday cleaning it up just hasn’t come by to do it job in some time. Maybe the someday will come if I, oh well if I.
Both happens to be my problem. Organizing home items or at school gets in the way of the organized time schedule that I made. Seems like if I follow the time schedule — I have to leave things in an unorganized manner. And it just continues to build and build – until I throw the time schedule out. How do I get them both to work together?
Organizing my stuff! We have 5 kids (ages 3-20) and too much stuff! I don’t know what to do with it all. I am overwhelmed. Please help!
My stuff is most definetly the hardest to keep organized. With 3 teenage boys who are all active, it seems like so much stuff is brought into the house. It overwhelms me! My husbands job produces a lot of paperwork and that adds to my “piles”. I try, but fail most of the time to keep things organized.
Managing my time! Two years ago my Mom moved into a house on our property (she is 85) and I am now her caregiver, housekeeper, chauffer and companion. Add that to taking care of my own home, husband, dog, alpacas, hens….PLUS making the time for Bible study and my business of making greeting cards. There are NOT enough hours in a day to do it all and some days I get into bed and wonder what I actually DID accomplish! Then…I thank God that He enables me to do it all!
Both are a struggle for me. I feel like I have child induced ADD! I seriously cannot complete a task with having to help someone with something or clean up a new mess. I’m a SAHM of 4. One child has high functioning autism and our adopted daughter is high maintenance. All 4 kids are in school now so I really hope to organize some things now. The problem is I feel so overwhelmed with everything I almost give up before I start. I may need professional help just to help me find a good starting point. I’m not ready to give up on my dream to be so organized that it’s sickening:)
eh hem…definately managing my time. I can do just fine organizing stuff. Its the time factor that I could be better about!!!!
Oh my, organizing my “stuff” seems to be my biggest challenge in the last few years. I moved internationally twice in the last 10 years and 8 times locally…and another one is going to happen as soon as my daughter’s house is sold (hopefully before Thanksgiving). I’ve lost stuff, walked away from stuff & given stuff away…and still can’t organize what I have and really want to keep. I even brought more stuff back across the country when my mother passed away last year…just because I couldn’t stand to part with it. Now as I start the packing process again, I realize that I am choking in “stuff” but how do I choose what to keep when it all means something…and I want to share those “somethings” with my grandchildren who should arrive in the next few years…oh, what a dilemma!!
I look forward to reading more about you and Glynnis now that Renee Swope has directed me to you!
Organizing my stuff is the bigger challenge for me. I definitely can identify with being a “clutter bug” and have tried several different methods to try to get it under control. Mostly, I just keep trying. Cannot wait to check out what Glynis has to say about it!
Organizing my stuff!
Managing my time so I can organize my stuff.
I think at this point in my life I have to say stuff and time. I think this book must have been written for me! I am always wondering what happened to the girl that had everything in its place, knew where everything was, and had time to do everything! All that ended 6 years ago when my sweet girl was born and I officially became a working mom
For me it is a toss up between managing my time & managing my stuff!! I just get so overwhelmed with life with things get thrown out of loop with my youngest son who has Special Needs that often times- the house and organization just gets thrown on the back burner!!
STUFF, STUFF, STUFF! I used to be so organize and knew were everything was – what happened? I am beyond frustrated!
Organizing my stuff!
Organizing my time in order to organize my stuff! :: -)
Kids just seem to created their own little whirlwind . .. .
I’d have to say both, but lately, it’s been more managing my time. I am trying to balance my time between working full-time, going back to school for my Master’s Degree, and taking care of my husband and daughter. My daughter is 5, and naturally demands a lot of my time. My husband was injured in an explosion at his workplace 2 years ago, and a lot of time is spent taking him to various doctors and specialists. He is unable to drive presently, and is not back to work yet either. Sometimes it can feel quite overwhelming, and I wonder how I will ever work out a “manageable” schedule. A lot of times, our family time gets sacrificed because of my schoolwork, and cleaning and organizing the “stuff” our family has accumulated is definitely last on the priority list. Phew! Thank goodness God continues to give me that “push” to keep going, because if I was on my own, I would have stopped a long time ago. I would love to read Glynnis’ new book. I think it would help me immensely.
Thanks!
Organizing my stuff and the kids stuff, four kids actually. I used to have a brain and be able to remember everything too, but I have a notebook for that now. I keep thinking if we had less stuff maybe, or more time maybe. But it hasn’t happened yet. I think we have enough room, I’m just not really sure where it goes lol. :)
Organizing my time spent organizing my stuff. My biggest struggle is knowing what to sa e and toss and the time wasted sorting the two out all the time.
I love to organize but managing my time is a struggle (HUGE struggle)!!!
Definitely time! I mean where does it go really? I am great at organizing stuff (not always keeping it that way)! I can be ready to go out the door on time and the next thing I know its 20 minutes later and somebody needs to pee! I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old with very special needs and crazy me is considering another baby! I really could use this book!
I think managing my time is probably more difficult. My family is in the middle of transition right now, moving, changing careers, husband in school, etc… I find that prioritizing my time is key, and sometimes it’s hard to start that ‘list’.
Ugh!! I wish I could say only one of those was the problem …. But honestly, it’s both. I have 3 kids 6 and under and since they were born, both time management and organizing went out the window. I struggle with both daily … WHERE do I put all this “stuff” and WHEN will I find the time to do it?? 2 questions I ask myself daily!!!
Oh, it’s a toss-up for sure. I organize in my head over and over while doing other stuff, so then I’ve thought about it, planned it, and done it so often in my head that I’m too exhausted to actually do it.
organizing my stuff is so very hard to do!! seems like i get some of it all straight and i look and there’s more……….help!!
DEFINITELY my stuff! My husband calls me a “stacker” because I’m really good at putting things into stacks and moving the stacks around! :)
I need help organizing stuff. I just keep putting it away in a different laundry basket, or a recycled bag.
Managing my time… I have 3 children under the age of 5 with the youngest being 5 months old. With her unpredictable schedule I feel like as soon as I start a task I’m interrupted. I do portrait photography which requires editing from home and also work outside the home about 6 hours per week. It’s a juggling act for sure…
organizing my stuff! i have so much stuff, i don’t know where to start. how do you eat an elephant?
Both! Going crazy!
Organizing my “stuff”…I just moved and despite major purging, it’s amazing how much “stuff” I still have. Finding homes – organized homes, for all of it is such a challenge!!
I would have to say it is a toss up. Only because if I managed my time more wisely, I could probably organize ALL my stuff. I was just telling someone the other day that I get jealous of my friends who have daughters because I think “At least they have someone to help them clean and organize around the house”. I am blessed with a husband and three boys. We all know how ‘organized’ the male species can be…but wait, we are supposed to be talking about ourself. :) Maybe we are just a disorganized family. Lol! I know there is hope, we just need some direction. I would love to win the book and the gift card to go toward something to help get things more organized around here.
Definitely organizing my stuff. Balancing writing, speaking, Social Media Director of Southern Writers Magazine, and full-time wife and mother, I feel like I have three (or four) full-time jobs. I can plan my time effectively like nobody’s business. It’s organizing my house that seems to fall to the wayside…
I work daylight, hubby works night turn…and the need for ‘quiet’ pervades the house not long after supper…compounded with eldercare on both sides of the family…and not to mention an invasion of the clutter bunnies and their cousins, the dust bunnies…they mass reproduce!!! Struggling to find a happy medium!
Definitely, organizing my stuff. I can manage my time okay, but the paperwork, kids school “stuff” and just general “stuff” I can’t seem to get at it to organize it. And if I do get it organized, where do I put it?
Both are really tough, but organizing my stuff would probably be the hardest.I’m just not a natural at it, although I have the desire I don’t always know where to begin or how to catagorize things.
Probably both but I feel like lately I have struggled more with organizing my time. Love the book cover…really cute.
I am so disorganized that I don’t manage much of anything well these days I’m afraid.
Organizing my stuff is way more difficult for me. For some reason, I have scheduling time down pretty good. But we have WAY too much stuff – just stuff that clutters our home. Paper is the worst – the mail that comes in every day – and then once school starts – all the papers that come along with that! I think the beginning of organizing the stuff is actually getting rid of stuff! :)
Both are equally challenging for me these days!! I need help on all fronts because I so desperately want to remember dates again-not to mention the gifts that I’ve put in “safe” places for those events!!!
I am super organized. Managing my time is my weakness.
oh, it is definitely a toss-up! both confound me these days!
It depends on the day and sometimes the hour. I am now at the point of trying to organize my lists (the ones where I put my organizing priorities) because something gets in my way, and then realize I need to get organized again or plan out my days to break down each hour.b. any help would be appreciated.
Managing stuff. Too many attachments and hard to let go. . .
I would definitely go with time organization!!! Working full time leaves little time to clean, cook, and raise my four year old.
Well….I if I could find a moment to compose a rational thought, I would say organizing my stuff. I spend a lot of time looking for things that one of my children has moved. However, with a new job and a lot less time it feels like a lot just crashes down on me. I would love a clean car, which I always used to have, but seriously I would settle for one that doesn’t smell like french fries hiding under the seat. Or the laundry and dishes done, with the bills paid all at the same time.
That said, it takes me forever to write down all the stuff on my to do list and then I can’t bear to even look at it. :D I need help.
Definitely my time! I can get lost in a book for hours or playing a game online!
I would have definitely have to say both. I just told my husband that we have got to get it together because I feel like all I ever say is hurry up we’re going to be late or I can’t find anything. I hate it because I’m setting a bad example for our daughters I don’t won’t to be that person anymore we are always late for everything and stessed out when we do get there
My time! There just doesn’t seem to be enough time to get just the basics done, and I know we’ll have many more activities in the next few years as the kids get into school activities. If you look around my house, you might say it’s the stuff, but most of it has a place if we could just find the time to put it away. (Although, it really is time to go through the kids’ toys as they seem to be multiplying!)
Both! I think if I managed my time more wisely I would be able to keep my stuff organized. I can totally relate to what Tracy Williams said. I am a SAHM of a four year old and it is nice to hear I am not the only one who feels like she can’t keep up!
Time – where does it go???? Even when I have a free moment, it seems to slip away faster than it came. My struggle is that I’m not happy if I’m not super busy, but when I’m super busy, it’s so hard to keep up with it all! Chapters I could read during lunch? Sounds fabulous! : )
Definitely both. I often feel that is I was better able to organize my time I’d be better at organizing my stuff.
I used to be organized, B.C.!!! I say that with all the blood we lose during childbirth, so goes the organizational skills too. My friends used to make fun of me having a list for everything. I don’t know what happened, life, I guess, but I am no longer that way :(
Definitely both – It seems ‘stuff’ has multiplied in our home since our last child was born. I waste a lot of time searching for items which in turn leads to frustration & discouragement.
Organizing my stuff. It seems like so much more STUFF keeps piling up and I can’t get a hold of it.
Organizing my stuff has become an overwhelming task. It started when my health deteriorated and then my husband, a contractor in the nuclear industry, kept getting transferred to another state. I wasn’t physically able to unpack everything. So, it became easier to just buy another iron or towels, or socks… Now, here I am with way too much stuff and no place to put it. I really need someone to come into my house and do the physical labor part of it (I still can’t lift things and move them) and clear it out of here! It doesn’t help that I have a separate set of curtains, linens, and decorative items to fit each house I’ve ever lived in. YIKES!
I would have to say that I have trouble organizing my stuff, and that is what it is stuff, and way too much of it at that. I am a HOARDER. I don’t know where to start with it or what to do with it if I did start. I really need help.
Organization has always been a bit of a challenge for me, but when you throw 4 other people into the mix it becomes a total loss. HELP
Managing my time is a challenge for me. I push myself too hard in “doing”, and don’t know when to stop—which leaves me frustrated and stressed. I’m praying that God will help me balance my time, learn how to pause, and celebrate life. It’s my prayer that I’ll learn how “to be”, and not just “do”. Please pray. Thank you!
Both! I seem to have a hard time managing my time and organizing since having my 2 wonderful children. Not sure where all the time goes!
It’s a toss up for me. I have left the house in two different shoes…
Organizing my stuff for sure!
Organizing stuff!! I get behind & then there is NO catching up.
I think for me it is a little of both. If I can not manage my time things will not get organized and if things are being not orgaanzed I feel I am losing time deciding what to do or where to put things. Do I need help?!
I struggle so much with both. And like your friend Teri, I wore two different shoes to the doctor’s office. So embarrassing, the doctor thought it was comical, though.
I used to be so organized and then came along my third child. I finally got my little boy and with him came a home of total unorganization. He has reflux so sleep deprived mother I am most of the time and somedays you will open up the refrigerator and find that I put our dirty clothes in there and other times you open up the washing machine and I threw a dirty diaper in there instead of the garbage. I feel so overwhelmed with this child and I am so tired that I just go through the motions and am not sure half the time what I am doing. I do feel so blessed that I have such a wonderful family I just pray that they hang in there and understand where my craziness is coming from. God bless.
Definitely managing my time. Trying to fit everything I need to do in a day is challenging. I am trying to divide my time between God, my husband, my 3year old, family, friends, and working full time! Sometimes it all gets overwhelming!
Need help with both never home and when i am only to sleep so house organization is a problem. Dont get all I want sooo many unfinished projects need help with time management too. Can’t wait to read the book.
Both are difficult, but time is far more difficult. Stuff will be there and when it’s organized it usually stays that way for at least a little while. Time however you have to manage or it’s gone. It will not wait like stuff. When I feel like I have managed my time and that of my family well, everything else just seems to fall into place.
Toss up for me. I guess if I were more organized with my time, my stuff would be more organized!!
I’m trying to get this giveaway for my daughter – I’m past the need to organize!
Definitely organizing my “stuff”. I do fine with the managing my time end of it but not the organizing. I have way too much “stuff”. I start on a project then get distracted and on and on. Need help!
Definitely orgainizing my stuff, as I don’t know what to do with it nor do I have the time to deal with it. So yes, both are a real problem for me. with 4 kids under the age of 7, one of which is only 18m, my life is like a roller coaster. I never know what’s next. I could definitely use some help in the organization department as well as finding the time to organize it and keep it that way.
thanks chris
I use to be very organize and managed time well, lately I just can,t seem to get it together. I had back surgry in 2005 and since then have failed in being organized. I know and want to be organize and learn to manage my time, but just can’t seem to get in the swing on things.
Can I say, finding the time to organize the stuff? I am a very organized person and actually have helped many people get organized but this summer we moved and I started a new job. I am having trouble doing both!
Oh My! Where to begin…I feel that it is a toss up between my stuff and my time. I think that if I had my time more oragnzied then my stuff would be more organized…does this make sense. I feel that between my 4 children (and their schedules), working, my husband, etc that I spin my wheels on things…thereby spinning my wheels causes me to “loose” things in my own home or to just put stuff down because it is handy. When I look for something, can’t find it I end up purchasing the item again…now the clutter is beginning to take over. I feel as if I am drowning in my “stuff” and my un-organized time….HELP!!!
It is organizing all our stuff-after holidays and before school starts, I will be cleaning up all the clutter, less is more!
If I had to pick, it would definitely be that I struggle to organize all my “stuff” and I KNOW my husband would agree w/ that!!!
I struggle with both at different times. Get easily side-tracked and usually run out of time in the midst of a project and have to leave it and eventually come back. Sigh. Working on it though. Sometimes there is guilt too…I feel guilty if it takes time away from the kiddos….just have to balance things better. Slowly but surely I’m getting there. Can’t wait to read this book!
I think organizing my stuff most definitely!! This in turn affects how well I manage myself! I consider myself a near freak yet I’ve become so sentimental with everything I have ever had for my 8 yr old daughter…I’m even having trouble parting with her baby clothes and toys as if that will preserve my baby and prevent her from growing up! It’s crazy and causing me to have an overload of “stuff”!! I need to part with lots of things and get tips to organize the things I have…hopefully will help me to gain some sanity back too!!
My stuff is what overwhelms me. This summer I had a long list of organizational projects to tackle. All I managed to finish was my pantry. It made me VERY happy, but I’ve got much more to do! I’d love to get Glynnis’ new book!
I am a very poor manager of my time. Used to at least feel like I had my act together. I’m sure that was just an illusion. :)
No excuses here, I just have a hard time staying focused….jump form one thing to the next. Alas, it could be that my hubby of 43 years is just recently home an awful lot due to job situations. He likes me to spend time with him……………………..I would love to win this book. Your question being,
Which is more challenging for you—managing your time or organizing your “stuff”? Both is my answer and that’s the truth.
Managing my time is hard for me. My stuff is perfectly organized, but my time is not!
I used to be a very organized person, whether it was in my time or our stuff. Or so I thought! My way of being organized with our stuff was packing it in boxes and saving it, just in case we might need it later. The end result has been a basement full of boxes, etc. Everytime I go downstairs to work on getting rid of the stuff, I stand there and don’t know where to start, so I end up going back upstairs. In the last five years I have become so disorganized when it comes to managing my time. I try the “To Do List,” but end up putting so much on my list that I kind of shut down and before I know it, the day is over. Ugh! I’m tired of living this way anymore.
Definitely my stuff!!!!
I have always been a very organized person! But as I get older I find it hard to manage my time……I seem to get side-tracked and lose my focus on what I am suppose to be doing. This can be very frustrating.
It used to always be stuff that caused me trouble getting organized, but now it is time that I have trouble balancing. Not that I’ve got a spotless house or am without clutter, but as my kids have gotten older and I’ve gotten busier, keeping track and using my time efficiently has been a major struggle.
Oh my,!! When I read the title of the book, I just had to laugh out loud – it describes me perfectly. I NEVER understood the people that had “piles everywhere”, but now I am one of them! Help!!!!!
Stuff! I have 3 or 4 or more junk/clutter drawers! Help
Definitely organizing my time. No matter how many times I try to make a “schedule” for myself, it never happens that way.
Both can throw me for a loop. But we have been in our house for 10 years and have acquired TOO MUCH stuff!!!!! I am overwhelmed just thinking of it :( The time organization problem comes in when I don’t feel like I have enough time to tackle an organizational project-I hate leaving things 1/2 done cause I am afraid I won’t get back to it.! I have been trying to free up some time, but have to be careful not to fill it with new things!!!!!
For me I have come to understand that I have a procrastination/perfection cycle that I seems to keep in play at all times. My long-time friends as well as my newly met acquaintances are always commenting on how organized I am. Yet, I feel like a complete flop in regards to my organizational ability application. I have a couple of particular areas (like my home office) that I avoid. The piles seem insurmountable so the procrastination continues until there is an “emergency” and some item has to be located in the office. Lord Jesus, show your mercy to me and bring me to the end of this insanity.
Blessings to all.
Angela
I have a harder time organizing my stuff. I have a hard time knowing what is important and what is not.
Organizing stuff by far for me. Somedays I just can’t figure out if I really need to keep something or I just think I’ll need it and miss out on blessing someone else with whatever it is. Then there’s the sentimental aspect of “it was my mom’s or grandmother’s”. Oh where to start…
For me it’s both. I have five kids and it seems like I get something done and feel accomplished and BAM it’s totally undone in minutes by the five children and hubby while I am busy working on the next thing. I help the kids get their rooms organized and things put in their place and the next morning you realize it must have been a dream because what you see in that bedroom is an exact duplicate of yesterday. So how do we organize our family to help keep up that’s the hardest part for me I guess.
I was a single Mom with FIVE boys for 16 years, so I HAD to be a well oiled machine….time and organization. I had it down to a science. The boys are grown now, with the last one being a Senior in college. Two years ago, the Lord blessed me with a wonderful husband who is a GREAT help in every area. It’s almost as if, I was on autopilot all those years and when I didn’t HAVE to do it anymore, those skills left me like air rushing out of a balloon. Now, I struggle with all of it. Working 40 hours a week leaves me with little energy or motivation to organize. And it bothers me…greatly! I liked feeling organized and feeling as though I manage my time and household well. I know that I’m older now, thus, less able to do what I used to….but I yearn to have those skills back! Thank you and God bless!
Cathy D. I totally identify with what you posted….only difference I raised just two boys. Thanks for your post.
I think I have my day/week all planned everything on the calendar, then something unexpected comes up (dog dies, car won’t start, mom-in-law goes to hospital, rough day at work, etc.). We call this “LIFE HAPPENS”. Then housework, laundry or whatever doesn’t get done, dinner is late, everything just spins out of control. Things start to pile up, what used to be neat and tidy is now piles and piles of things that need attention now. It gets to the point where I have to take vacation to re-group and start over.
Yikes! I’ve recently moved to a smaller, older home and I work full time. There doesn’t seem to be enough time (or energy) in a day to deal with all my stuff! Now being over 60…..the body just doesn’t cooperate with what the mind has lined up to do……that’s one of my biggest challenges since I’ve always been very energetic and physically able.
I would have to say, Organizing my “stuff”. My husband tells me I keep everything, I never throw anything away. He is right. I believe there should be a place for everything,
I have a book for my dates and schedules and for our Home School Schedule, Just need
help with my stuff.
Managing time, with a job that has unpredictable hours since I work with animals, a husband in law enforcement with unpredictable hours, and family that loves to do stuff last minute my “spare” time for organizing projects keeps getting bumped off the list
Definitely my stuff! It seems to multiply on the kitchen counter.
Definately organizing my stuff is the hardest for me. I have a problem throwing things away so I just find a new place to put all my stuff. I have been purging my closet this month. I am finally throwing away some clothes that I haven’t worn since college over 10 years ago!
Yikes! I need an organizing my Life category! I’m slowly working on my “stuff” after moving a year ago, but it’s a bit difficult since I also have to be away in a different state for my daughter’s senior year so she can graduate with her friends… I also have to keep track of three other young adult children scattered around the country/world.The book sounds great and of course, I love Target. Thanks for the opportunity to get some help!
Organizing my time is my problem. Lately I sleep late, get out of bed, drink my coffee and do my devotions, and then read my emails, blogs, facebook, and before I know it, its noon and I haven’t done a thing. I don’t really have a lot of stuff, so thats not a big problem for me. Just my time wasting is a problem. Thx!
It’s a toss up for me. It seems that every minute is scheduled with 2 small children, both of.us working outside the home, and then cleaning up after everyone. I am blessed with healthy children and an amazing, supportive husband, though, so I try not to complain as other people have much tougher situations than we do.
I have to say that because its hard for me to keep the “stuff” organized, my time isn’t organized well either. I have three children (and a husband and 3 dogs), one who just turned 3 in June, one who will be two in early October and one who is almost 2 months old. It is SO easy for things to get messed up and unorganized with three little ones and I find myself spending more time looking for what I need instead of doing what I need. Sometimes its stressful and sometimes its funny.
I need help period…..there is no one thing I need the whole enchilada.
For me they go hand in hand. The more “stuff” you have, the more TIME it takes to manage. :) I’ve worked hard to eliminate extra “stuff” in our lives so we have more time to live and serve! Recently though God has expanded my world to serve more through writing/speaking and I find myself in an organizational whirlwind of chaos! I’d LOVE a refresher course as I sort through it all!
I used to think it was organizing my stuff, but I realize I waste a lot of my time that could be used to keep the stuff under control.
Depends on the day…One day I will be getting stuff organized and feel great, but in order to get there, my time wasn’t used with priorities and there sits the daily life stuff. Then I get the time going well and the “stuff” piles up and doesn’t get to “homes”. So it’s a crazy cycle and I feel like the gerbil on the wheel.
Organizing the STUFF of life is driving me nuts!!
Definitely organizing my stuff. I am in need of help! :-)
I think stuff wins by a slim margin…single mom with 2 kids and 900sq. feet of living space so have to work hard to keep on top of all of the paperwork, esp.,. No dishwasher so it’s all by hand–time issue if I dry it to put it away, but space issue if I let it air dry…which is more important?
I used to be organized with my “files”, home organization, etc. Now my TIME mananagment is out the window, I have papers everywhere, don’t know how to scan and orgnaized “computer” files, etc….and the computer age has added more paper, or more ways and I can’t get it SIMPLIFIED! HELP! Single Mom of 4 boys/tweens&Teens.
WOW I thought I was the only one who can’t get it together any more!! As a widow, I’ve downsized and downsized and still don’t fit my space. 40 years of memories and hobbies that take up room, just to have t he yard work done for me. I’m still active in community and church, but being alone doesn’t give me the energy to respect myself enough to have a show place as the retired, no hobby people around me. I understand those who have family with illness, they need an extra hand or two. Thanks for writing the book. Where do I get a copy?
Our family moved across the country almost 6 years ago. I can’t even begin to describe the many trials we faced since that move. But to read your blog encourages my heart sooooo much! I am just now beginning to feel I have somewhat of a handle on time management and organization.:-)
I think that it is a toss up for me. I had a physical ailment a couple of years ago and was unable to keep up with things the way I used to, I am OK now but I am ‘buried’ and don’t know how to get back. My job is 40 miles away, a son to get up and get to school and pick up, I serve at my Church in different areas – I lead a ministry, teach a kids class, coach Upward football – my home, husband – so much. I would really love this book! Thank you and God bless.
While it is a bit of a toss-up, I would say that right now organizing my stuff is my major hurdle. I have been going through a several-year period of grief due to years of infertility, losing our first born (a daughter) shortly after birth, being unsuccessful in subsequent attempts at pregnancy, going through frozen embryo adoption, having our first son, being overwhelmed with motherhood, a spontaneous pregnancy (another boy!) , and extreme fatigue that I recently found out was due to undiagnosed Lyme’s Disease that I have most likely had for more than a decade.
So now that I am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel (after months of Lyme treatment and months more to go), I look around and see the piles of stuff in my house and wonder how in the world I got here. For a long time I just put the stuff aside because I didn’t have the emotional stamina to deal with it. Even now I sometimes don’t have it either, but I am ready to put together a plan of attack. I have been working on getting my health back, and now I am ready to get my home back. I need to do this for myself and my family. Please pray that I can get working on this as it is very encouraging to me to see forward momentum.
And thanks for letting me vent!
Sarah C.
I would say it’s a toss up – sometimes one is more challenging than the other but then later it’s the other way around. If I could manage my time better maybe I’d have more “time” to organize my stuff.
I struggle more with managing my time. Just yesterday I was like the lady on the cover of the book! While at the library my granddaughter wanted to know why I wore 2 different shoes? The older and busier I get not as organized with stuff either
Definitely, managing my time! I’m a natural born organizer. I love getting rid of clutter and putting stuff in order. I was in heaven when I bought my label-maker. haha But I’m a procrastinator and I get distracted easily and put off doing things I should be doing. So, I need real help managing my time!!! I would love to win this book.
Thanks,
Jessica
We moved into a much bigger house last fall, out in the country. The house needed (still needs!) lots of work, so I’ve been having trouble getting all the stuff unpacked and organized. AND, it seems like once I do have a small area organized, our 2 kids come through and it’s disorganized again! We just started our 5th year of homeschooling, so we have lots of school stuff, too, that needs appropriate homes. We’re also 30mins from the nearest “city,” and with the kids’ activities, I really need to be on the ball with my time, too. Whew!
Getting my stuff organized is definitely the most challenging task for me. Going through and eliminating things we really don’t need and would love to have some helpful tools.
Organizing my stuff. I know I should get rid of more things that we do not use but I don’t because I think someone could use them. I’m working on just lettng them go.
It’s a toss up. I have so little free time that organizing and staying on top of the “stuff” gets put on the back burner. Then, when I do have a little time, I often waste it trying to figure out where to begin or not starting at all because I don’t want to start a project I can’t finish.
Spending time with God everyday, grown kids, aging father, husband, friends, family issues, bible studies, house to care for…TIME is my issue…finding time to do it all and have time for my fun things like sewing, paper crafting and reading…Calgon…take me away!!
Time management has always been a challenge for me, but then a few years ago when I became partners with my sister in caring for my parents I found that I really have problems with both. I really need to read this book and get a hold of on this problem. I feel if I do my life will improve in so many ways and I will be pleasing the Lord by doing this.
managing my organizing. ha
Organizing my stuff!
both! but mostly the clutter, I have a hard time making myself go through things and then letting go! Nice to know I am not alone!! Will get the book even if i don’t win it, thank you!
Managing my stuff. I tend to accumulate piles of stuff.
I have more trouble managing my time. I consider myself pretty decent at purging my extra goo. Being a single mom, 3 kids, one with autism, suffering from chronic illness I do find it hard to get everything done that I’d like (and need).
Hahah—I have never been organized—-maybe this could help me!!! Blessings Barb
It is more of a challenge to organize my stuff than my time. My kids keep my time pretty occupied.
my stuff is more of a challenege to organize. My time ie pretty occupied with my kids activities.
For me, time management. I am now a single mom of 3, I work part time and go to school part time. I serve in the kids ministry area of my church too. When I get time, I may start to organize, then I look around & get overwhelmed. After that, I don’t get anything done. I have partially done projects all over!
I guess it would be time . . . because I waste so much of it trying to figure out how to get organized! I am clueless.
Both are challenging for me but probably time is just a little bit more difficult for me. I seem oblivious to time!! I am drowning and would love some help!
I would have to say it is harder to organize my stuff! For whatever reason I have my time management under control. I just don’t always organize mail, school papers, cards and the like all that well. My home office is a dumping ground for all my mess. Thanks for considering me for this organizational book.
There’s always more to do than I feel I have time to do it in. However, once I get started, most jobs can be broken into smaller, less time-consuming jobs. I guess it’s a mental block! I have 4 children, ages 8-18, with lots of demands on my time, and tons of un-organized stuff! I feel like I’ve been “behind” on tasks ever since my husband had an overseas deployment 8 years ago. He came home, and life went on with the kids’ activities, but I never could get back on track with the house.
That is a great question! For me, managing my time is the greatest challenge. I have two children; ages 3 1/2 and 2 months. I “feel” quite overwhelmed most of the time, and I am struggling to keep my focus on Christ and His promises, and not the way I “feel.” I found your blog through womenlivingwell.org and am looking forward to reading more. This book looks great!!! Thanks for offering a free copy!
I noticed on one of your replys, you carried some cheerwine back with you from NC. My husband is from NC, and we carry cheerwine back with us anytime we visit! We just returned from a 2 week vacation there with his family, and we have five 2-liters waiting some special times. :o)
Definitely organizing my stuff is the biggest challenge! So much stuff and not nearly enough places to put it!! =)
Wow, I defnitely have a toss up there! I was organized and on top of things until my husband died 7 years ago. Things slowly snowballed–I was raising twins that were not quite 5 when their dad died, working full-time out of the house. Then about 2 1/2 years ago, I lost my job (of 21 years) and was unemployed for a year–depressing! I now work part-time and things are no better! I just dont know where to start and what to buy to make organizing better, so much stuff out there. Procrastination has become my first name, never mind the middle name! HELP!
Organizing my stuff…..where did it all come from??? I walk by plastic bins at target or Walmart and I get a sense of excitement to get organized then the fear of tackling all of the stuff sets in and I walk away overwhelmed. It is an ongoing battle for me. I was “that girl” back in my early twenties that kept lists and was obsessively organized, then work, kids, life began and now I have forgotten how to stay organized!
I definitely find it more difficult to manage my “stuff” than my time, but they both seem to be more in charge than I am!! I have been unemployed for almost a year now, & you’d think I would have gotten everything together by now, but the opposite seems to be true. I feel less in charge than I ever have, and no matter how I try, things don’t seem to get done. But every day is a new day with God, and I start all over again!
I’ve come to the point where I say “why organize it? Give it to good will” but then it’s who has time to take it or gather it up? So it must still be a toss-up!
Time for sure! Last year I began homeschooling while still trying to work a bit….somehow I did pull it off well but was equally convicted of all the time I wasted. Somehow wasting time has become a way that I deal with life … counter-intuitive I know, but that’s where I’m at.
Thanks for the opportunity.
My problem is managing my time AND stuff. We’re a military family so we move every 2 -3 years. Sometimes we’re able to get/afford a house that has ample storage and then even if my stuff isn’t organized at least it’s put away (you know out of sight out of mind!). And on the other side of it I love to get involved at church and at my daughter’s school and forget to say “no” that I don’t have time to do simple things like cook a home-cooked meal or read a book with my daughter before bedtime. We’ve been at our new place for a year now and it’s a great house but has NO storage it’s all living space so moving boxes are just stacked under the stairs or to the ceiling in the laundry room and I’ve hung a curtain in front of them to hide the mess. And of course….I’ve gotten involved at church and throwing 110% in to that so the stuff just stays stacked up. And now I’m starting a part-time job in the fall teaching pre-school. And to make things even worse. I’m severely ADHD and the mother of 2 children one of which is also ADHD and thanks to a really bad long-term sub last year she is also HATES school. So there is a new battle to fight! As I usually say…maybe tomorrow it’ll get done!
Time.
For me it is getting organized. I cannot manage my day while I feel overwhemled with clutter and not being able to have the right thing in the right place. I am a homeschooling mommy of 6 and I KNOW my day would be so blessed if I could just start my day knowing I am organized….but my mind is not a mind that can wrap around organizing. I feel like a deer in headlights when I even think HOW TO START to organize. To me it is like learning a second language……. I just don’t know HOW. Thank you! Lynda Bishop letters4lynda@att.net
Organization And Time Management are both a struggle for me. When I do finally get things pretty close to being better organized,I can’t seem to keep it that way. : ( Frustrated and Overwhelmed, Susan
Managing my time is my biggest challenge. Plus a lack of energy doesn’t help. Looks like a great read. All of the P31 gals are so talented! Blessings on your day.
I lack energy too. Just thinking about getting organized makes me tired.
When my “stuff” is organized, I’m better organized with my time. Today, for example, I got my office desks cleared off and made a schedule for my week and “to do” list…now on Monday, I can jump right into working on the next issue of the paper. When I don’t get my desks cleared off, it seems it takes half the morning to get organized.
And when the rest of my home is (at least somewhat) organized, I feel better about it, and more relaxed in general. I can also find the things I need without having to look for them–having to look for things drives me nuts!
My time just slips away from me, and I get so far behind in trying to make a welcoming home……. I used to remember dates (birthdays, events, anniversaries, etc.) and even that is slipping – partly age, partly the chaos in my home?
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You were talking about a “welcoming home”. Odd as it may sound, I have found people like coming to a house that’s a little “messed up”. I used to make my house spotless and tidy when company was coming. But then someone told me that they didn’t feel comfortable in my house. They were afraid to mess it up. Now- well, let’s just say I don’t have that problem anymore haha! We have friends over all the time and a couple of stains on the carpet and newspapers scattered on the table makes them feel right at home. lol
I think staying organized is much harder than managing my time!
I read your book this summer as you did the study on it and found some helpful tips… my big issue is there still is never enough time! I know that God has given me sufficient time, but I still find myself scurrying around like a chicken with my head cut off. I am happy to say that I did make some changes this summer, though, and as school starts back I”m seeing it as a work in progress. =)
I have an issue with stuff my stuff , my Husband’s stuff and my son’s stuff. I used to be very organized but now for the last 20 years I have lived with two pack racks so somewhre along the way I have joined them. Our Garage is the worst.
In my past life as a pastor’s wife before his death many years ago I was able to manage time and stuff. Now that I have remarried, time is hard to manage jumping from one task to another. Stuff is just stuff, I used to be able to organize things and keep it that way. Time needs reorganized in my life so I am doing the important things now, the stuff will be left behind when I leave this earth.
You are so right about “the stuff will be left behind when I leave this earth”. I too was once widowed and have now remarried. In my 1st marriage I was young and fresh (widowed at age 26) and I tried to be the “perfect” wife and keep the house all neat and tidy. But, looking back I spent a lot of time on cleaning that could have been spent with my husband and if I could do it over I would look over a messy house and just enjoy my time with my husband. Oh wait- I have gotten that second chance with a new husband and we’ve made lots of good memories in this messy ol’ house!
I love to organize! I do struggle, however, in organizing my time. I get distracted very easily, and have way too many projects going on at one time.
Organizing my time has become the hard one. Of course, the organizing stuff comes in a close second!! :)
Finding the time to get organized is difficult. But, then when I do find the time, I feel overwhelmed and end up not doing anything and then feeling frustrated that things are still such a mess. HELP! lol
For me, I believe organizing my stuff is the challenge. I would like it organized and dream of it, but that skill does not come naturally. I like baskets and bins, but it still doesn’t look organized.
Time management! There is never enough time in the day!
Organizing my ‘stuff’ – I’m not a great shopper but there is still always too much of it and I find it hard to declutter!
It’s definitely a mixture between the two… I can organize with the best of them, but finding the time to do it and keep it that way, with a husband and two toddler boys who don’t have the same views of neatness, is a real challenge. You know, sometimes I wonder why I even try? :) Then, of course, you need supplies to help organize, and, well, the funds are always needed somewhere else… so a gift card would be a huge blessing!
I used to be organized. I raised 4 children now have 10 grandchildren and 1 great grand daughter. We recently moved into a 2 room small studio apartment attached to our Son’s home to be near the new 3 week old surprise grand daughter. I am working at getting my place organized when now I am having back surgery Monday. I became discouraged but one thing I found when under pressure I seem to get more accomplished. The Proverb’s 31 web site is my new friend since I moved 1200 miles from our past home. Thank you for all that is available here. I get up early and meet my new friends here and God encourages me. Wonderful bunch of Godly women who still, in this hectic world that wants us to focus on anything but God, put Him first. Thank you for being here. Would love your new book to read my self and share with my Daughter in law who is meeting the challenge of a 11 year old, 6 year old, new baby and a husband who is starting college next week. She is the glue that keeps her family focused. Thank you Jacqui for her sharing your family with me.
Stuff is everywhere. I work as a church secretary and sometimes my desk looks like it threw up!! I have the same problem at home!! I really think stuff reproduces on it’s own and we can’t stop it.
I can get it looking so good, like those kitchen counters, turn around and bam, junk everywhere.
Organizing my stuff! However, I’m thinking it’s going to be both fairly soon, as I’m going back to work, part-time, after being home with my children for the last 8 years. Scary!!! Guess I’m going to have to learn the fine art of prioritizing!!!
Peace, Ellen
I am challenged with organizing BOTH my time and my stuff right now!!! We’ve just moved into a new house and didn’t have “time” to organize the “stuff” for a garage sale before we moved. I have to get myself organized so I can purge the things that we’re not using since we downsized. See what I mean??? It’s a time and stuff issue! I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin!! HELP :)
BOTH:::definitely:::in fact, lately it seems as if I have had difficulty organizing my time to organize my life. I am a mommy to two toddle bugs (ages 4 and 3) and I find that as I sit down to organize, one or both are asking for SOMETHING or has a complaint:::”mommy, I need milk”, “mommy, can you get me a snack”, “mommy, sissy hit me” I am starting to believe that there is a sensor on my chair that is somehow linked to my little ones? SO, at this point in life, I’ve all but given up on finding the time and on organization!
Managing my time is by far the biggest struggle for me. And the struggle manifests as not making the best use of the time I have available to manage.
Although I have trouble organizing both aspects of my life, I probably have the hardest time organizing myself and my time. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
I can organize my time, it is the stuff that is hard. I have to remember I don’t need to keep everything anyone has given me. Remember the thought and toss the item I can’t use. BUt, with a small house and lots of people it is a bit of work staying organized. I love the website, I’man organizingjunkie.com…she gives good links too.
My initial reaction was managing my time – but the truth is if my stuff was better organized then I could be more efficient with my time.
I think it is organizing my stuff. I don’t know how or don’t have the right tools to organize properly. I am constantly going back again and again trying to organize better. I also need to figure out how to get my family to help out with the organizing as well.
Hi Everyone,
May God be with you all!
To be honest, I think my biggest challenge is managing time. If I’d manage my time better, then I would most likely be more organized. Lately that’s been a huge challenge, and I mean with everything in my life. Though I would like to start my day off with praises and devotion to the Lord, I get bogged down with a million other things, leave my time with the Lord for last and sometimes end up falling asleep while reading a devotion or my Bible. Not good at all! I have to go to school soon, work and help my mom plus my aunt who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, take care of my non-Christian husband and have a relationship with God (that should have been number one on the list), plus me time – which is non – existent. So yes, time management is definitely my biggest problem!
I used to be so organized but then I found myself unable to say “no” and my organized self was quickly spread to thin. A wife, mother, full time career, church volunteer, scout leader, it became too much. Learning how to make myself most effective and that it is OK to say NO is hard!
Definitely managing my time! I get sidetracked really easy and spend way too much time on unproductive things!
Organizing our things is my biggest challenge! With four children and their schedules and a full time job, things can quickly get out of control!
I would have to say that I find both a challenge. I manage, but often poorly. The best I can do is prioritize, but I would be much happier if I could get it all done. (wouldn’t we all?) :0)
Oh it is a toss up!
Absolutely BOTH throw me for a loop! UGH!!!!!! :) I can’t wait to get this book – either way, I will, but winning it would be nice and make just one less thing for me to remember to do on my to-do list! :)
I struggle with both . . .perfectionism causes me to want things to be perfect.
I think its both for me. I can’t seem to take control of my time or my stuff. The only place I feel in control at is work. There I seem to be organized.
STUFF…. For Sure. I make these fabulous plans and end up with piles everywhere because time… What ever is on the schedule always is priority. : ( Somebody help me
My stuff is much harder for me to manage – or is that because I don’t have time to take care of it? Guess its a toss up.
Both are challenging for me, especially time management. I can’t even claim that “I Used to be so Organized”… it’s been a lifetime struggle & source of much frustration & guilt…
Time. I tend to use my time on things I’d like to do, rather than things I know I need to do. So, when deadlines come, necessary tasks are not complete and then I have to rush to get them done.
However, I will say, time management may be a result of my lack of focus. The problem I have with organizing is that I look at it like an opportunity for “merchandising” – it looks great, but isn’t very practical. Once you move one thing, it has to be organized again… then, I have time management issues because I have to “organize” it all over again.
(Like right now… I have spent 15 minutes answering this question, when my 3 year old son’s wall is waiting for the Murphy Oil Soap to wash away the bottle of paint that he creatively used to decorate it with…)
Recently an empty nester and still can’t seem to find time. Need to work on my organizational skills.
I wish things could stay in there place I find I feel more at ease, but as most know when you have a family that uses items also they somehow don’t feel the need to put items back, but they always feel the need to ask you where they are when they are needed again. I love my family dearly but with there help I have to say being organized is the one thing that I will just have to long for.
Finding the time to organize my stuff!
I can manage things. However time its most difficult i am a recovering addict and well time was always just what it was time. I only had time for not good things so its been rough to find some me time. Yet i FIGHT to do so day after day its getting better (smile) continue to pray for ME!
Organizing my stuff! But, I want to organize as much as I can this year ~ life and house! Thanks!
From the outside, it looks as though I’m so organized, but at home not so much. My home office is a mess. I work full-time and am also a consultant for one of the best direct sales companies out there. There is never enough time to become acclimated to facebook, which I need to better serve my clients. I’m also a procrastinator. I’m ready to change those life-long patterns with His help and your book as a guide. I’m sick and tired of being sick tired of the mess and total disorganization in my life.