The Empowerment of...Organization?

Being organized is empowering.

I am an extremely unorganized person, generally speaking.
It's not that I (entirely) lack the capacity to be organized; I'm generally just lazy and unmotivated about it. And I'm involved in so many little hobbies and interests, that I mess things up pretty quickly even when I do try to stay tidy and orderly.
My husband once lightly remarked that it was like a hurricane had come through my area (either he said that, or I was thinking it about myself--I don't remember). Whatever he said, I hopefully responded with an endearing smile "But I'm cute, so it's okay."
(Bless my neat-freak husband, he's so patient with me.)
Seriously, though, it's just the two of us, but sometimes my mess seems to be proportionate to five people!

However, last week, I focused the entire week mainly on just the theme of Order.
I went online and found things that I felt would work specifically well for me (such as the Daily Docket).
(There are other versions of the docket, as well.)
I designed my own monthly calendar pages on calendarlabs.com.
I wanted to make sure to make it was all fun and pleasing to the eye, so that I'd be more likely to use all of it. All of this went into a binder and formed an "organizer."
And throughout the week, I used a quote about order to inspire myself, and help me focus on my goals.

(I am a bit of a perfectionist when I actually really fully involve myself in something, so I allowed myself to spend hours filling out my monthly calendar on my computer. I changed fonts and sizes, color coded, high lighted, etc. This was a way I compromised with my creative side--as I'll explain further below.)

In the little organizer I made, I listed in my daily activities and tasks. But I also came up with extra organizational projects to do, one for each day of last week.
One day was for organizing my kitchen cupboards; one for cleaning my bathroom; one for my closet; etc.

While I didn't get to all of them in that one week, I did get my cupboards organized very neatly (complete with cute purple baskets for food storage containers, utensils, etc)! I also organized my closet (which was a decent amount of work, going through and properly storing all my clothes).
The fridge wasn't on my list, but I started it after the kitchen cupboards, and I'm really pleased with my new method of fridge-procedure so far. (It's not finished yet because I have to buy more supplies!)

Now whenever I open my kitchen cupboard to get a spatula or a pan to cook with, I feel a sense of calm and control. It's extremely pleasant to find everything organized so nicely, and it makes me feel good about myself.
I'd never imagined that just organizing a cupboard or a closet could inspire such a feeling of well being and strength! But it reminds me that I am the woman of my home, and I am in control of how it is run. I run it, it doesn't run me. 
Finding things in that kitchen cupboard no longer runs me; it's no longer difficult or time-consuming.
My affairs are in order; when my life is in order and control, I feel more in control of my life (the parts I do actually have control over, at least).
When I walk into my bedroom, an avalanche of clothing no longer spills out of my closet. My room is less busy with a mess of objects, and thus more tranquil. And when I open the closet door, it's neat and tidy and reminds me that I am a strong and capable woman.
And hey--there's nothing like walking into a a sparkling clean kitchen and knowing that you have space (both to do and think!) to make whatever you want for yourself--and it's because that's how YOU keep your kitchen.
(Now you just have to train your husband to follow the structure you've set in place. ;) )

I bought bins, buckets, and storage containers from the Dollar Tree, which was pretty cost effective--everything was just a dollar, or less! And it's summer, so they currently have a surprising amount of storage stuff, in really fun colors. (If you have to organize, it should be fun and expressive, right?)

Being more of a relaxed, creative person who's not so good with schedules, I have to find ways to maintain order that are my own.
It's sort of the compromise: Yes, I will try to have more structure and routine, but I'm doing it in my own way, so that my creative side doesn't rebel and prevent me from making progress. 

I'm not entirely finished organizing yet, but I'm already loving the progress I've made. I plan and hope to continue, even though it's not my main theme of the week.

When my home is organized and clean, I feel proud to have people come over; it's a reflection of me. And when I complete a task on my daily docket and check it off, I have a lovely little feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment to carry me through my day. (Not to mention, it helps me remember all the things I want to do and get done, since my mind is constantly on fifty things at once!)

Now please excuse me--I have to go check off some of my accomplishments today in my organizer! ;)