We’re officially through the first week of January and I already feel myself slipping into overwhelmed mode. I’ve rattled off plenty of things that I’d like to accomplish now that we’ve been gifted this magical, new, seemingly unexpected clean slate of a year, but I’m suddenly feeling so much pressure that I’m not doing anything fast enough.

I need to chill out.

Does this happen to anyone else? Or am I the only one who constantly feels like she’s on some mad dash to a finish line that doesn’t truly exist—because, let’s face it. There will always be tasks added to the list. And they will always seem dire.

I need to put less pressure on myself. The world will not collapse if my to-do list is not complete. The universe will not cease to exist if every single one of my goals isn’t immediately realized.

No. I need to stop, take a deep breath and focus on one thing at a time. Today, that thing is our playroom. The reason? It’s driving me insane.

If there’s anything that this week’s posts have taught me, it’s that the best way to get organized is using old things in new and creative ways:

(sources: dish stands, toilet paper rolls, paper towel holder, muffin tin)

But when you get right down to it, all of these organization posts I’ve been doing this week are for one reason: I need to organize my life.

Organizing specific rooms in my house will make me feel like I have more control over everything, but what I’m truly looking to do is get my life in order. I need to line up work, balance my schedule, and get into a good routine. Conquering the chaos around me will help me feel one step closer to that.

Luckily, I came across two pretty awesome checklists to get me started:

This first one is from the awesome Anna of IHOD. It’s a free printable that helps you keep your to-dos in check without putting too much pressure on yourself. Hop over to her blog to print it out (clicking the picture will take you to the correct post)!

The second is a free printable from the equally fabulous Meg Biram. This one is a list of all of the places you should clean for a nice, fresh start to the year. I love check lists, because it feels so good every time you can check off another task!

I hope this week of organization has been helpful to you. Shoot me a comment below to let me know what other themes you would be interested in seeing in the coming months!

Yesterday, I told you all about my bathroom organization woes. They are nothing in  comparison to the disaster that is my kitchen.

I think our biggest issue is that we have too much stuff. We inherited a lot of things when we first moved in together. We bought a bunch of things between then and our wedding to fill in and then we got all new things at my bridal shower.

Then there’s the fact that I’m sort of a chronic hanger on-er. I don’t like to get rid of useful things when someone (say my younger brother) might need them one day. That’s not to say we haven’t given anything away. My other brother came up from North Carolina after getting married and he and my new sister-in-law shopped our unused stuff.

I really need to let go at this point though. I will never be organized unless I do. I’m going to look into giving things away on Freecycle or to shelters that might need what I’m not using.

After I weed things out, I can concentrate on the really fun stuff… like implementing some of these awesome ideas:

pot lids / vertical silverware / mug cubby / bakeware / cans / hanging tools / cabinet

Great ideas, right? I know I never would have thought about storing cans in a magazine holder without a little nudge. And I love the idea of using towel racks and magnets in unexpected spaces to create more room.

What do you think? Are these organization posts inspiring you at all?

My bathroom has a limited amount of storage that I have yet to master. The result is a mess of products and beauty tools bleeding into the rest of house.

I would love to keep my beauty supplies neatly tucked away in my bathroom, where everything has a home. Instead I have drawers crammed with crap and a cabinet that explodes whenever it’s opened.

I need more organization inspiration!!!

sources: magnetic backing, terra cotta pots, shelving 1, shelving 2,
vintage tray, above the door shelving, mason jars

All of these solutions are cheap and relatively easy ways to make more space in a small bathroom. Maybe if I utilize unused spaces (like above the door and inside cabinets), I’ll be able to navigate my bathroom without the fear of my obituary reading that  I died by flying hair products.

Do you have any bathroom organization tricks?

Way back in September (seriously, it feels like forever ago!) I wrote a post on how I need to organize my life. One of the biggest reasons I did that post was because of the state of my office (well, office may be too grand a word for the corner of my bedroom that has become my work space since my little bean’s birth).

It was and still is a complete disaster. I don’t know about you, but messes can really get to me when I’m trying to work. I can’t concentrate completely when I’m surrounded by clutter because it distracts me (honestly, it’s a wonder I get anything done considering the state of my house on a regular basis… just ask my husband).

I think my biggest problem is letting little things go (like the mail or papers sent home from school with my daughter). Little things become big things when they pile up. My work space is just one big mess of little things.

I wish my office looked more like these gorgeous spaces (see Pinterest for sources):

Don’t these spaces make you drool?! They’ve sent me into an online window shopping frenzy. I love office products in the first place, but now I’m on the hunt for relatively inexpensive, clever office organization solutions. Here’s a little taste of what I found:

spice rack :: drawer organizer :: baskets :: 5 drawer cabinet :: birdcage
shampoo rack :: cardboard organizer :: paper sorter

These ideas have totally inspired me to tackle my mess. I might (might) even go crazy and tackle one of these DIY projects (lord knows I have a hefty collection of empty boxes left over from the holidays!).

What is your work space like? Are you messy like me or does everything have its place? And if you’re neat, please share your secrets! I need them!!!