Three Habits to Achieving Orderliness

5/15/2014

Orderliness and organization seem so elusive! Is it really possible? Yes it is. If your life seems totally chaotic and out of control, it may take time, but it is definitely possible! First, we MUST recognize that orderliness and organization look different for each person. So before you start comparing yourself and getting discouraged before you’ve even started, take a moment to think about your personality and circumstances right now. Orderliness is a process. It’s not something you arrive at and ‘wha-la!’ you are there forever. No. That is not how it works.

“Orderliness is keeping everything that is under our jurisdiction neat, clean, functional, and in it’s proper place.” (IPLB definition) What is under your jurisdiction? For instance, my hubby’s stuff is not usually under my jurisdiction. The pile on his end of the table and his computer area may drive me nutty sometimes, but they are not my problem. Occasionally I do need to clean it up, but I ask permission (or at least inform him of the necessity and reasoning). My adult children’s stuff is also not in my jurisdiction, unless it overflows into my territory. They know by default if I have to ask them more than once to move their stuff, it is fair game. The younger children on the other hand are still under my authority, therefore it is my job to make sure they keep their things orderly. As housekeeper, I can and do delegate much of my jurisdiction to my little apprentices. There are some great resources online. My favorites are FlyLady and Large Family Logistics. Both sites have helped many women over the years. In case you are overwhelmed and just don’t know where to start, here are some basic habits you can start forming to get yourself on track:

Establish a suitable routine. Don’t make a schedule that your whole family is going to feel like a slave to. Do make a basic routine where everyone knows what is expected and you don’t have people constantly asking you what’s going to be happening and when it will be. “Mommy, is it time to visit yet?”, “Mommy, are we going to paint today?”, “Mommy, is it my day to do this?” can drive you to wishing you could change your name!
Make sure there is a place for everything and everything goes in it’s place. An inbox and outbox for mail. A place for magazines to read. A specific shelf in the frig for leftovers. A place for all laundry, dirty in one spot, clean in another. A specific basket or shelf for library books. This is soooo important and helps sooo much. It is so easy to implement but it takes consistency and determination to keep things this way. It is worth every effort and reminder! I promise!
Purge regularly. Don’t hang on to things. This is a faith and stewardship issue. If you need it later, God will provide it when you do. Someone else may need it now, don’t hang on to things others may be able to use now. Don’t keep things you don’t have room for. (Preaching to myself now! My BIG problem is sewing and craft supplies. I have WAY too much!)

I do have some resources that have really helped me. (I think I need to pull them out and remind myself!)

This first one may seem an odd suggestion, but it not only helped me understand my children; it also helped me understand my husband and myself. The way we learn affects the way we live. Knowing the different personality types in your home can help so much in knowing how to arrange things for ease of use and keeping things tidy.

Some links in the post below are “affiliate links.” See our disclosure policy for details.

Here are two books I consider essential to a smooth running home.

Cynthia Tobias's "The Way They Learn" will help you understand the learning styles of each person in your family. You will find yourself using these references for better understanding other people you have to deal with or work with throughout your life. Things are so much easier when you know how to relate to people.
Kathy Peel has a way of bringing the honor and respect into managing home and family. With "Family Manager" she gives you practical advise on putting everything in order in your mind so you can implement the management of your home in a professional and loving matter.