Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay
'Tis the season for tons of clutter! (Fa la la la la?) Between the decorations and the presents (that we inevitably put in a "safe place," away from curious eyes), we’re in the midst of a season that can stretch our organizational systems to their limits.
Not an issue at your house? That's wonderful! But, if you're feeling the crunch, here are a few ideas to keep in mind.
Keep it simple. Now is not the time to try fancy new plans. If it's not broken, don't change it. If it can wait, let it. If it can't wait, replace the strategy that's not working with one that's proven more successful elsewhere. Trying to do it all (particularly on top of holiday preparations) is overrated, not to mention counterproductive.
Keep it consistent. ’Tis also the season for the same things to be put (away) in the same places -- time wise and stuff wise. Although predictability can be boring, it can be a lifesaver when life is overwhelming. And for many of us, there's something comforting about a routine we can count on when both the calendar and the house are more crowded than usual.
Keep your styles in mind. With more people in and out of our homes, not to mention more goodies to put in “safe places,” it’s not only those with an I know I put it somewhere organizational style who find it easy to stash stuff now only to need it later and not be able to locate it. Keep one big bin behind closed doors to use as a container for all the half-finished holiday preparations you need to grab and stash when company’s coming, and decide on one location for hiding Santa’s inventory (preferably in a drab-looking container unlikely to attract anyone’s attention or interest). That way, you know where to look once the company has gone home and you want to wrap presents.
Try to avoid making a contribution. To the pile-up, that is. While it seems like putting one more thing on the pile won't make that much difference, that one more thing you set down now becomes one more thing you have to put away later. Strategies like give it five (minutes) and don't put it down, put it away! can help keep clutter manageable.
Manage the little things to enjoy the big things. If you’re thinking that these ideas sound like temporary solutions, you may be right. Then again, many of the organizational challenges we face at this time of year are temporary as well, and it’s silly to spend precious holiday time working out long-term solutions to short-term problems. In this busy time of year, it’s okay to do what works now. Then, after all the cookies have been eaten, the gifts have been unwrapped, and the decorations have been put away, we can nail down the strategies that keep things running smoothly the other eleven months of the year. That said, if these temporary solutions work now, there’s no reason not to continue to use them once the holiday glitter has settled.
Until then, deck the halls, trim the tree, and then sit down and watch a Christmas movie. Or pile the family in the car, and drive around the neighborhood to take in the light displays. Or gather in the kitchen and make cookies (or a meal) together. Make a mess, share some joy, or revel in time spent with people you love.
The clutter can wait. That is, after all, what New Year’s resolutions are for.
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