My mission impossible: organizing unpacked boxes, books, files, clothes — an “abundance” that I’ve been tolerating for months following a relocation. And while I need to feel at home in my space, I don’t. Not yet. Not even close. I am beginning to accept that my (enthusiastic, problem-solving) spirit is willing, but my (weary, so-tired-of-moving-boxes) flesh is weak.
That is to say…
Beyond assistance when it comes to physical labor, I need a plan. A space plan. An awesome space plan of the sort that professional organizers can devise.
But this isn’t a simple matter. I am currently living in a charming but idiosyncratic arrangement of rooms. I’m petite. Very petite. I also work where I live, have a ton of books, and since I’m a renter I don’t have the flexibility of installing permanent solutions. (You know the sort I mean — closet, kitchen, and other storage units that make life in small spaces pleasant.)
Another constraint: an equally petite budget.
Do You Work Where You Live?
When you work where you live, organization is essential. An organized mind? I’ve got that! But to enhance the productivity of the organized mind is an efficient space.
Now, I’m fortunate in being able to grab my laptop, curl up on a chair, and block out the world in order to get. stuff. done. But I know that it’s more tiring to function in a space where you can’t simply reach for what you need when you need it. And just as important — dedicated space for eating, sleeping, and unwinding without staring at work.
Though I may be able to get things done when I must, that doesn’t alter the fact that I don’t yet feel at home where I am, I haven’t felt “at home” for nearly three years, and this is having a deleterious impact on me. Living surrounded by boxes and more boxes and stacks and piles? —
I’m ready to scream! However, wouldn’t you agree that screaming isn’t a sensible solution?
Ah, Shedding…
Ah, shedding. How do I love thee… NOT!
I struggle with shedding, in particular, when it comes to sentimental items (drawings, photographs) that are not so much the museum of “me”, in other words, the record of my life, as they are the museum of people I love. My sons. My parents. My grandparents. To an extent, the “stuff” I hang onto is about preserving their existence. Keeping them in my life in some small way. Facilitating good memories.
With each relocation I’ve been more ruthless about throwing things out. Though I continue to pare down and pare down and pare down, streamlining as best I can, my tendency is to strip away possessions from my own life. And I’ve been proud of myself for doing so, having gotten rid of two rooms of furniture and donated bags of clothes and shoes before my last move.
Impossible Spaces? Possible Solutions?
I miss none of what I sold, donated, or gave away. Great, don’t you think? However, I remain in a quirky space irked by unpacked boxes and bewildered at the creative small-space challenge ahead.
At moments, I feel like I’m glaring at one of those aptitude tests in which you’re seeking to match and fit shapes into their respective proper holes. But all I have are square pegs and round holes. Where is the expertise to reshape those holes or shave off the corners of those pegs?
Better still, where is the skill to find another option for the square pegs?
My dilemma: Visualizing the space solutions for my living and working needs. Isn’t life a story of needs and solutions? Don’t we sometimes need a talented hand to help?
Quirky. Nice Euphemism, Don’t You Think?
While I may be “vertically challenged,” the space I am living in is not. And one of the rooms is gorgeous. At least, the side of the room where there isn’t a significant stack of boxes. Boxes I managed to ignore at holiday time (sigh) by making one half of the room look as splendiforous as possible.
Oh, the delicious design tension in mid-century modern and period Federal antiques! The surprising harmony of contemporary art and 200-year-old tea tables and dining chairs! (The beauty of elegantly crafted furnishings that never sacrifice form or function makes my heart sing.)
I have already made good use of unusual spaces. For instance, simple storage bins from Target sit atop tall bookcases. That said, stacking bins or stacking drawers might make more sense, hold more, and take even greater advantage of ceiling heights.
Because there is very little closet space, household items I would normally tuck away have no place to go. But there may be freestanding units that might prove useful and aesthetically acceptable.
I suspect that my filing system could also do with an overhaul, and that includes getting rid of files – potentially several boxes – that I simply no longer need.
Sometimes, another set of eyes may be able to see what I cannot.
The Value of a Productivity Professional
Yes, yes, I know. This is all part of the process of downsizing. Sometimes it is painful. Sometimes it is baffling. Sometimes it takes years.
What I need at this juncture? Professional help.
I’m currently in the researching phase, and not purely of an “organizer” but someone who organizes to optimize productivity. So I went to the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals as a place to start. (I don’t want to be scammed or taken advantage of, thank you very much. I believe in verifying skills, experience, credentials, references and so on.)
Based on the information I’m beginning to gather, I will separate developing a plan from executing that plan since execution could be price prohibitive. Besides, some of the execution – emptying boxes of books for example — can be delegated to a far less costly resource.
In a past life — make that a few past lives – I have used organization services that specialized in the installation of storage systems. I was consistently pleased with the results. Among other things, the time they took to speak with me beforehand to fully understand my needs turned out to be time well spent. Closets were restructured to accommodate both my stature and the frequency with which I used belongings stored on shelves, in drawers, or hanging on racks.
My Friends… Creativity (and Containers)
I also had the good fortune to live near a Container Store. Their displays helped me understand the quality and scale of various solutions, allowing me to make decisions about closet shelving, drawers, bins, baskets, and so on.
I know this iteration will be different – my circumstances and constraints are different — but I’m hopeful that creative solutions will emerge.
In the meantime, I’m curious if any of you have used professional organizers, some of whom may be productivity consultants as well. After all, if you’re well organize, aren’t you likely to be more productive — and more relaxed?
To say the least — it’s unnerving to live in a state of “I know I’ve seen it somewhere, but I don’t know where it is” or “I know I packed it with my green folders, but I have no idea which box in that stack contains those folders.” I’ve reached the point where I can’t bear it any longer. It’s driving me crazy. It’s time for a pro to prepare me a plan.
Your experience with professional organizers? With smart storage solutions? Your suggestions?
Click here or the closet image above for Container Store solutions. I love that configuration. Might I have a half dozen, please?
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Second hand everything. So much cheaper.
My husband is one who puts up shelves and everything is just so and labeled. Granted, the shelves are mostly leftover pieces of wood/other shelves, and the organization boxes are–get this–Tupperware-like containers that his sister cast off from a sandwich shop she used to run–various ingredients came in them, kind of like ice cream tubs. So definitely reused and reused again.
Of course, labeling containers of screws, washers and nails is not the same as sorting kids’ artwork. The stuff that doesn’t easily fit into containers.
Good luck!!!!
I’m chuckling at the organized and labeled containers of screws, washers, and nails, etcetera. Been there, done that – when there was a man and/or my sons around the place, not to mention a basement! ?
Much of the kid artwork — and it’s good artwork at that — is flat in portfolios, and I had portfolio storage configured vertically in my old master closet. It’s amazing how much you can actually keep in a small space when you have the ability to custom create! That isn’t an option this time around, but I’m thinking that a fresh view will see solutions that I have not seen as yet.
I’m a big fan of reusability, so I’m glad you mentioned that.
I’ve moved quite a few times to other states due to 22 yrs as a relocating wife for ex-husbands career transfers along with experiencing many more moves after divorce to downsize into smaller and less expensive places as my 3 kids became older.
At one point, I rented a storage unit to hold family items that I wanted the kids to have long term along with furniture that no longer fit in my rental condo at the time. When the storage space price continued to rise each year, I needed to clear it out and that was emotionally upsetting when the kids tried to help.
I’ve reached out to NAPO Organizers several times for ideas and help and was grateful to learn from them about how to make decisions, sort and organize throughout the transitional seasons I’ve experienced.
You really are an expert at moving! And I’m glad you had a good experience with the NAPO organizers. That’s helpful to hear. I was looking at some of their material and their listings this morning. Thank you, Nancy Kay.
I’m disgustingly organized except for half of my garage that’s filled with boxes I need to unpack. Obviously there’s nothing in there I can’t live without. It’s interesting how “out of sight, out of mind” works. Sometimes I think I should just have someone haul away them away and be done with them! xoxox, B
“Disgustingly organized” sounds great! (I was definitely far more organized in my own little home, with systems designed for my specific (petite) needs. Rental spaces are more of a challenge, but I’ll get there eventually.)
I swear by professional organizers. God bless them. I used one for my studio and it’s still beautifully organized. At least the part she did. I NEVER can get the top of my desk organized. I need to rethink my closets. So I hear you. I must say I’ve learned a lot from organizers. So do it for your mental health.