Welcome to my kitchen! After showing you my cluttered counter top along with the cabinet above my piles and overstuffed files...
I decided to do something about it. I was so tired of how it made me feel. Also, I hated feeling like I'd never have time to organize all those papers, receipts and bills. So, this week, I tackled one trouble spot at a time.
Friday's Give-Aways!
My friend, Glynnis Whitwer, is writing a book entitled "I Used to Be So Organized," and she stopped by to announce she's giving away a cool vintage-looking magazine holder. Glynnis has written a great post for us on her blog, Her Organized Life, explaining how gaining order in our homes helps us gain confidence in ourselves.
To enter to win her give-away, visit her new blog by clicking on her blog banner and leave a comment telling her what type of paper gives you the most grief. What's in your piles??
To enter to win 6 cute file folders like those in my photos and a $10 Target gift card to buy something organizational like a cute file-folder holder, click the word "comments" right below this post, and tell me if seeing "before and after" photos inspires you and why. Also, I'd love for us to keep praying for each other. So, please take a minute to pray for the person who leaves a comment before you. And PLEASE include your email or I won't be able to reach you if you win. Thanks!!
I decided to do something about it. I was so tired of how it made me feel. Also, I hated feeling like I'd never have time to organize all those papers, receipts and bills. So, this week, I tackled one trouble spot at a time.
While de-cluttering, I found 2 gift cards I thought I'd given people for Christmas. I learned that clutter is more than a mess. It's a sink hole for my memory and gift cards.
Then there was my black wooden organizer a friend gave me. It was so over-stuffed, it had lost its potential to be cute. Not any more! She now has limited capacity so I can enjoy how cute she is.
I had files overstuffed from all my piles. So, I went through each folder and kept only what I needed for future reference. I created a file for each child to keep things I want easy access to. Then I put the kids' keepsakes in under-the-bed storage boxes. And I found some pretty files to spruce up my very old file holder.
Can you see me smiling? After I tackled each trouble spot, one at a time, I ended up with a clutter-free counter top. And I'm so happy! Although, I'll admit I was a little lost without my piles the first few days. I'd just stand in front of the clean counter top and think, "Where is every thing?" But now that I'm used to it, I just smile and sigh every time I walk by my clutter-free corner!
*********************************************Friday's Give-Aways!
To celebrate the progress we've made this week, I'm giving away 6 files just like the ones in the photo above and a $10 Target gift card to buy something to help you de-clutter like a cute file folder holder! I'll share how you can enter to win at the bottom of this post.
My friend, Glynnis Whitwer, is writing a book entitled "I Used to Be So Organized," and she stopped by to announce she's giving away a cool vintage-looking magazine holder. Glynnis has written a great post for us on her blog, Her Organized Life, explaining how gaining order in our homes helps us gain confidence in ourselves.
To enter to win her give-away, visit her new blog by clicking on her blog banner and leave a comment telling her what type of paper gives you the most grief. What's in your piles??
To enter to win 6 cute file folders like those in my photos and a $10 Target gift card to buy something organizational like a cute file-folder holder, click the word "comments" right below this post, and tell me if seeing "before and after" photos inspires you and why. Also, I'd love for us to keep praying for each other. So, please take a minute to pray for the person who leaves a comment before you. And PLEASE include your email or I won't be able to reach you if you win. Thanks!!
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83 Comments:
Wow!!! Great job getting your piles organized. That too is my biggest problem, papers and piles everywhere. It seems like when I get an area cleaned off, the free space cries out...lay something here!!! And I do... Another problem area for me is toys, they seem to have taken over my home. I have sorted and tossed and will see if that helps. Thanks for your inspiration!!!
Hey sweet Renee! Your before and after pics were definitely inspiring! We're having a huge garage sale Saturday. I'm getting rid of everything that's not bolted down. I'm so sick of the stuff! The paper that "gets me" the most are bills. My shredder died and the bills keep piling up.
Lord, please bless Renee's desire to get her home and life organized. Help her whole family to get on board so their home can be a relaxing haven for everyone who crosses the threshhold.
Love,LeeBird
Love the neat and clutter-free pictures. You did a great job Renee! Bills mostly. mheard11@frontier.com
I am still so amazed how the Lord answers prayers! I re-dedicated my life a few weeks ago from living several years out of church. I am 47, newly married (again) and I could see without God in our lives we were already falling apart. I read a fantastic book "The power of a praying wife", got MYSELF lined up with God, then I started seeing miracles happened and change in my whole family's lives. One thing I always feel the urge to do when I'm seeking God's help is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN and organize. It feels more of a spiritual cleansing, like a fast would be to someone. God answered a prayer for me through your post because my clutter in my home was a part of the problem for my husband. I just want to thank God for speaking to me through you! God Bless you!
Sincerely,
Ginnie
ginia_thinks@yahoo.com
I was so envious of your pretty clutter free counter and organized cabinet! The corner of my kitchen bar is loaded with bill statements, devotional books, bibles, pictures, a few more books, and one big blue welcome home baby bow (that is now 8 weeks old). I needed some motivation and your clutter-freeness (made my own word there) is inspiring!
amorriso25@yahoo.com
What a great feeling you must get every time you walk by your organized space! I'm very organized, but tend to let papers from various church projects stay in piles on my desk. I've been trying to put everything away in folders, but I'm not always successful. I love the idea of working on one small part of an area until the whole area is done. Loved seeing the before and after pictures too. My son's wedding is in three weeks so I will be working on clutter from now until then!
WAY TO GO, RENEE!! I'm beyond impressed.
I loved the before and after pictures Renee. I was busy this week and didn't get to my project of cleaning out the clutter in the middle of the garage. But I have set aside time tomorrow, a whole day to play catch-up and clean. I can't wait. It was also take my mind off worrying about my son, who is going to homecoming tomorrow night.
Thanks for the inspiration! And I love praying for the person who left a comment before me. What a wonderful idea.
ConnieH
Your before and after pictures are very inspiring. I am partially finished organizing my office space and I plan to finish up this weekend.
I am praying for all of the ladies who have posted so far that they may find peace as they organize their homes.
Have a great weekend!
Deb V
dvolkman@bright.net
I'm loving your kitchen cabinets!! They are similar to mine and so is the tile work!
Also love how neat and tidy you have it. Our space is just about the same size.
I'm going to tackle my paper stack now!
Oh Renee! I am so tickled for you! Your space looks awesome! You inspire me! I think I will tackle the desk in my bedroom next...yuck! I also LOVE the before/after pictures! Keep them coming! Thanks for inspiring us!
Michelle
mcoppedge@chilton.k12.al.us
Renee,
Loved your before and after pictures.Very motivating. Keep the before and after pictures coming.
My youngest son is moving back in this week-end. I am already fearing the changes.I have been trying to work thru clutter and now he will bringing more stuff back in. Pray fro me that we can all get on board with more organization. Doing daily things instead of letting things pile up.
slds56@ccomcast.net
Awesome Renee! I just came in from decluttering our garage .... and now I've been re-energized by your before and after photos, so I am going to tackle the basement.... And that job I have of sorting the things remaining at the home my parents moved out of ... doesn't seem so overwhelming after all -- I'm beginning the task Saturday morning. Thanks for the inspiration!
Praying for you all.
Sharon Telfer
pstelfer@tcc.on.ca
Oh my word...it definitely inspires me!!! My whole house is just as cluttered and unorganized!! (Or so it seems anyway!)
Great job on your success in decluttering your counter and cabinet space. I pray that I find the same success with mine!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
tiggerdaisy@gmail.com
Renee,
The pictures look great! You have definitely inspired me. After my daughter's birthday party tomorrow I will spend time in my bedroom cleaning things out. Then my next project is the corner in my kitchen where all my bills & paper stuff are piled. The idea of putting the kids artwork in under the bed containers is a great idea!
Thanks for the inspiration1
Mary Boswell mboswell98@bellsouth.net
That looks great! Looking at those pictures makes me want to tackle some trouble spots. I love the idea of just doing one area at a time, instead of saying, I need to organize the whole kitchen! Thanks for the motivation!
WOW! You did great! Love the pictures. I myself have a little area like that. I try to get it under control often but if I won the cute folder that may help.
Great job on de-cluttering and organizing!! Your pictures and last weeks blog has definitely inspired me! I have been talking about doing this and just keep putting it off. Last night I tackled the cabinet that has all my cookbooks and the many recipes that I have printed from the internet. It was a mess and there was no way I could find a recipe that I had printed. It is all no organized and I just have to buy a binder and some dividers today to finish it up. Thanks for the inspiration! No to move on to another area!
edgmon06@comcast.net
Yes! I did my table and kitchen counter yesterday, and seeing those clear, neat spaces is like your beautiful ones - I feel free from from the crazy to-do's that were hanging over my head. Great job!
lehrerin@charter.net
Definately inspiring...i am headed to do my closet now..
Thanks, for the blog I need help I am not as bad as i use to be thanks to my husband. But one thing I have learned is that clutter now makes me nervious but i still wont do anything about it. Please pray for me so that I can become clutter free. My dad worked at night so i was with him all day and he is a clutter aholic and i piced up those skills. So i really need help organizing.
Thanks for your prayers.
I am so inspired to clean out my closet. I am going to make it my daily project to do a small area of it everyday and before I know it I hope it will be done. Thank you for all the inspiration!!!
You have inspired me to clean off my home business desk that used to belong to my grandma. I'm taking it outside to refinish right now! (It's been unfinished for at least 2 years!)
Yes, I do like the before and after pics.
I am such a "piler," too. I like to have all my "friends"...my papers, books, notes, pictures in sight and at arm's reach. I like it because I can get to it but I don't like it because it looks so bad and makes me feel bad.
Ok, now I'm going to work on my desk in the school room! Shredder here I come!
What a transformation!...I need to do that to my computer armoir... Right now I just shut the doors (if they will close) when company comes over. I certainly need to get a handle on the papers. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your desk inspires me because the "before" looks like mine right now!!
It is inspiring and also a little bit guilt-inducing (in a good way!:) :)
Great work!
YOU INSPIRE ME!!
Since I wrote on your blog earlier this week I felt like I was accountable to clear an area of my space as well... so the spot that was collecting clutter in my home is now cleared. I even had enough room to put a computer and printer there which is what I wanted in the space all along!
Thank you for the encouragement!
Katherine in Idaho :)
It was a huge inspiration and I find it VERY brave of you to share them. That's the freedom I WANT!!! Thank you for your example and stepping out to share your struggles so that you can spur us on! Yes I would love to see your other pictures because that gives great ideas! I love your file folders and the way you organized everything. Looks VERY Classy and just adorable now!!
Yes, I was definitely inspired by how you de-cluttered! Great job in organizing. Piles of papers are my biggest clutter disaster. Tackling small projects maybe a set few minutes a day or few times a week might help chip away at the problem areas.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Donna
I was so glad when u accepted me as a FB friend. I read your suggestions on organizing and knew you were speaking to me. Your inspirations are wonderful for my disorganized life. I am now going to tackle that "room" that drives me crazy and you have made me realize it can't control me. God will help me see through this mess I have created and he will give me strength to finish it. Thank you so much!
I love the changes. I love being organized. I often go through my piles. I guess my worst paper are "my bills and receipts" and my "cooking magazines". I don't like to get rid of bills and receipts for tax purposes or later questions. This has only ever paid off for me once or twice...so I guess I could get rid of some of that paper. As for the cooking magazines...I think "I'll use those recipes some day. I really just need to go through and take out the recipes I do use and get rid of the rest of the magazines...maybe I'll get motivated soon to do something. Thanks for the good ideas.
woodswaif@bellsouth.net
Renee, your how to'Live Clutter Free' blog has been so inspiring to me. I am a collector of everything and find it difficult to throw anything away. I did feel that what I have is part of me so to throw things away is to lose a part of me. After reading your blog, I now know that it is alright to de clutter and throw away and I will still be me; A much more organised me. Michelle
Ok, yes, that is what my desk looks like, I am inspired! I too keep way too many papers I don't need to keep, I want my desk to look that good again. I have the piles, I think they are organized, but they are clutter! I will work on this, thanks!
Mary B.
I am the clutter bug in our house......I clean the counter which makes me feel great then I get a project out and work at the table and when it's time for dinner my project get placed on the counter and the cycle begins again. I love seeing your before and after. I need help with organizing my computer area....lots of notes, websites and just plain clutter. Thanks.
Brenda S
brendaschiesser at gmail.com
Wow Renee....Congratulations!!!! It looks great! I often get myself to organization but within days, no hours it a mess again. I need the secret to maintaining a clutter free life!!!! LOL!
Thank you for your post. It is always real and practical! Love you! Silvia Arvelo
I live in clutter in just about every room of my home! Your before and after pics are very inspiring!!! I am an admitted "piler" and I need to take a page from your book and tackle just one pile at a time!
I've been trying to think of ways to organize my corner of the room. I share a home office with a hubby, six kids and loads of curriculum.
I want my space to be a warm and inviting "place".
Your pictures gave me great ideas!
Here is my email address should I be so blessed to win:
kela@amarthaheart.com
I love seeing your before and after pics! Very inspiring! I am a "used to be so organized" person and now I struggle to stay above the messes. With three little ones, I struggle with just keeping the toys at bay:) My biggest area of frustration is my roll top desk. It is my clutter zone of piles and files:) I am going to conquer it today!! Thanks for the inspiration!
hcheppding@yahoo.com
I have been struggling in this area for so long. My biggest issue seems to be my kids' school papers. I have two sets of twins, and they bring home so many papers every day. Homework, reminders, menus...Then there is the junk mail that gets tossed on the counter with the bills and I don't know what all else. I will get started on cleaning, but I have "Cleaning ADD" - I start cleaning, find something that goes in another room, go to put it in there, and start cleaning that room...I would love to be able to get de-cluttered! God bless you!
Kristina
kristina@newlifefm.com
I can relate to that good feeling of decluttering. I do the same as far as picking one area that isn't so overwhelming and time-consuming. The before and after pictures are fun to see.
stephengantz@bellsouth.net
I am a very organized (my husband calls it ocd) person. I am picky and everything being just so. That is until you get to my office. It is a mess! Mail, notes everything gets tossed on the desk. I seem to never have enough folders, bins and such. I try to go through it at least once a month and organize but it never stays that way for longer than oh a day. Your pics inspired me to try harder with my office! Thanks!
Great before and after pics! You can really see the difference!
lkcdwc@gmail.com
Yes!! You've inspired me!! I love thinking about one space at a time rather than one overwhelming "clean up!" when we built our house we specifically had a place (desk) for all of my husbands diabetes supplies. Cabinets, drawers, storage etc. So now I'm the one with no space and all the piles. My piles..... Kids bible verses to learn, church schedules, preschool art work to be put in a book. We don't collect bills.... They come and go right back out paid in the mail. Else they be lost in the piles!!! :) thanks for the post!
senoracloud@gmail.com
I have a very similar area - your pictures have shown that organization, declutter can be done to this area - I am ready to get started on my area. Thanks!
My daughter-in-law and I were just emailing about how good it feels to get rid of 'stuff'!!! I love my piles, but I love orgainization and having no clutter even more!! Beautiful job, Renee! Thanks for the chance to win! Will pray!
betty.chet@gmail.com
Thank you so much for the inspiration! I put on some Switchfoot music, and tackled the closet in my "office". I opened the door, and piles of old "files" fell on me! So,in one hour, I came out with a trash bag so full and heavy, my son had to help me get it downstairs and to the trash cans! I felt so great that I treated myself to watching the second half of the Ohio State football game!
What an encouragement you are! Yes, I have piles - but right now I also have baskets labeled (household, homeschool, work) So I try to at least drop the stack of scattered papers into the right basket so that I can locate it later! Decluttering is crucial to a simpler life - and actually I have found that it tends to tie in with my spiritual life too. The more I value the eternal things - the easier it is to pitch the "stuff" and clean the clutter!
- Amy
beanbleich@yahoo.com
Thank you for reminding me that organization doesn't have to be a major project, but can be done bit by bit. It's much less overwhelming that way.
I'm so glad I found your blog! I loved seeing the photos of your new space! Unfortunately our kitchen table and one counter in our kitchen look much like your before pic! I want to de-clutter those areas so we can set the table and sit down to dinner together every night and not have to battle with piles if bills and other "keep-sakes" to do it!
Chandra.DeGroff@gmail.com
I always struggle with keeping my desk surfaces clear of paper! bills, junk mail, coupons....too much to sort thru and it just piles up! I love love love your file folders--they would make a great addition to my file separator on my desk. And I think a basket might be a nice place to put all my mail in until I can organize and sort thru stuff. Thanks!
We have an area like that in our house! The catchall area!!! Thanks for the encouragement to keep it clutter free!
Seeing the before pictures helped because so many times I get so down on myself for my paper piles, but seeing that someone else actually really truly has the same paper piles sitting around, helps me to see it is a common issue among women and not a personal design flaw. And it's motivating to tackle my problem areas. ;-)
Oh, ambre.ford@gmail.com. I forgot. :)
Looks so good! I just need motivation to get started.
The before and after pics were inspiring! My counter definitely resembles the before picture! If I put a little time and effort into it, maybe it can look almost as good as your after picture!
You did a wonderful job. I have recently gone back to school and my designated school work space has now become the "dump zone." It is definite need of de-cluttering.
flutterkb@yahoo.com
Great job Renee! You really are an inspiration to me. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia almost a year ago. Although I have a legitimate reason for not keeping organized or even spectacularly clean, at least I have an excuse. I just don't want to use it as an excuse. I pray that I can glean more wisdom & tips from you and other Godly women in my life.
Hi Renee! It really looks great and I know you gleam when you walk by and see the hard work you put into it! I have been really been feeling unorganized lately. We moved two weeks ago and stuff is still not put away. We lived in our old house for over 20 years and I went thru alot of stuff before we moved and looks like I still brought clutter with me! I would also ask for your prayers too. We were suppose to close
on our home a week after we moved and it has been put off for circumstances out of our control.
God's blessings on you and your family!
Nancy
trtrammell@liberty.edu
I love, love, love seeing before and after photos. It gives me ideas of what I could do with my clutter, if I could stop feeling so overwhelmed. I feel like I am so covered up I do not even know where to begin but you have shown me that I can begin in a very small way, just begin! Thanks!
Your before and after pictures inspired me to clean up my attic area-- no one but me sees it but it is where I go to do photography editing, scrap booking or card making! So I organized it all and it is sooo nice and tidy! I can find all my papers in a flash! Thanks for the inspiration!
Jodi -- tinkerbell@inetlink.ca
I was planning on cleaning my rolltop desk (which in our very tiny house would only fit in the kitchen)...it becomes a catch-all for everything BUT desk stuff. Now that I see your before and after - and the reminder to tackle one area at a time, I KNOW I'll get it done this weekend. I've been wanting to set it up for a direct sales business I've recently gotten into but keep getting overwhelmed by the amount of clutter that has accumulated. Now I can't wait to get it done so I can get my business paperwork setup & organized! God's blessings to you and yours!
I love before and after pictures! They do inspire me. My kitchen countertops are my problem area. I do not have a desk area in my kitchen so the countertops seem to collect all our papers. I have tried buying organizational things to sit out, but then we end up just junking them up. Now I just try to deal with the papers when they come in.
Your area looks great!
melodiesofmercy@bellsouth.net
This is me totally. I read further down about what Glynnis said about taking that extra minute and put things away. Clutter happens when we stop short and don't take that extra time which would probably be less than 5 minutes. I can't believe how heavy clutter feels. It really weighs you down
Very helpful ideas. thanks,
Coupons for restaurants and stored coupons seem to be a big mess right now for me. I need and easy to keep them together and take with me. Sometimes I want the ad as well.
Darla.Leatherman@uscm.org
Awesome job! Your blog is so inspiring. :-)
Oh, and what kind of green book is that on the counter? Is it a date book or a notebook? It's so cute!!! :) I love it!
Rebecca
Hi Renee!
I love what you have done! Over the past week I have actually been working on sections of my house, because I too am a pile-er ;-) this makes me wish I would have taken before and after pictures! Thank you for sharing with us!
God Bless,
Jessica
I love to see before & after pics! Although, I was thinking I wish my counter looked like your before pic...that would be an improvement!
Lori
mltwinnie@aol.com
We just had our 6th child. The word clutter seems to describe every corner in our house. Three of the six children are in school and the amount of paper they bring home each week is crazy! So piles we have!!! The mess has caused so many problems. Lost homework,miss places bills,thank you notes never sent, and from time to time tears!
But today is a new day and I will start with a corner!!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
jonkatdan3@yahoo.com
I have tackled the closet and now my next project is my study! I need a filing system!!!
Your corner is so cute... I think I need to visit Target to buy one of those cute folder holder thingees!!
Thanks for the inspiration friend. :)
lisasmith93@gmail.com
Yes, that definitely inspires me. I spend so much time making sure everyone else's things and areas are functional and inviting, that my stuff gets piled up and neglected. I have so many kids' papers and artwork and things like that, that I stack up to review and it just keeps growing. I get overwhelmed by it, so I ignore it and even hide it away and then forget about it until I've missed an important event. This helped me to focus on a little at a time. Praying for you and your family. Thanks!!
Yes, that definitely inspires me. I spend so much time making sure everyone else's things and areas are functional and inviting, that my stuff gets piled up and neglected. I have so many kids' papers and artwork and things like that, that I stack up to review and it just keeps growing. I get overwhelmed by it, so I ignore it and even hide it away and then forget about it until I've missed an important event. This helped me to focus on a little at a time. Praying for you and your family. Thanks!!
It is interesting that I have come across this and opened via Facebook today.(I had a friend send me an invite "to like" Prov 31 awhile back and opt out because I feel like I have to many likes and had enough to read). Today I actually opened it because today...I started cleaning the clutter. It is spread out much more than you pictures. Today at church it was about clutter, but clutter of the heart. I made some great progress and now reading this makes me realize God is really talking to me! To Get cleaned up, organized so I feel better about my home and myself so I have time to focus on some other things and not embarrassed if someone stoped by. Thanks for sharing the steps you took to get the job done. I am on my way one section at a time. Thanks!
Just said a prayer for you Lisa! I am right where you are with the clutter and have started slowly clearing it out of the house. I feel so much better but have a looonngg way to go! Glad to have the inspiration Renee to keep going.
My kitchen counter is SCARY in a big way right now. You have inspired me to tackle it a little at a time this week! I thought when I became a SAHM my house would finally be organized and clean. It's worse.than ever, probably because my 18 month old and I are home all the time! Trying to not stress and feel like a failure by taking a little at a time! Thank you for the posts!
Rhonda
Rhondaustin1@yahoo.com
Great job organizing! I am so hopeless at it!
abrooke2002@gmail.com
Yes, very inspiring! I have so many areas I need to do this with. Thanks for the motivation! :)
My problem is sadly, I'm not home all day and my husband's idea of messy is completely different than mine. My trouble spot, if I had to pick just one for now, would be his desk. It's out in the open and drives me crazy. I wish I could afford to get a hutch to hide things. But seeing your story has inspired me to take time this week and just get it done, one shelf at a time. A tip for bill "collectors", pay online. At the very least set up so the bank sends an E-check to the company for you. No bills, turn the paper copies off and tell them to send you an email instead (if you'll check it). God bless!!!!
Pam <3
mustang_pam@yahoo.com
I am constantly in need of organizing the bills and paperwork our household receives. I'm committing to filing the backload bills tonight!
Well girl, you have just inspired me!!!! WOW!! As I've just caught up on your blog, love all the de-cluttering ideas!!!! Well done!!! I know what my project is going to be this week. Thanks for the motivation.
And...is that a Willow Tree figurine I see on your kitchen counter? :)
Love ya Renee, and praying for you.
Hugs,
Joy
That is wonderful Renee!! You are an inspiration. I to have trouble getting my clutter under control. Thanks and keep up the great work.
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