Sidetracked Home Organization
Introduction:
Okay, confession time: my house has always leaned toward the “creative chaos” end of the spectrum. But this year? I’m determined to show my family a different side of my home when they visit for Christmas! I’ve still got a few weeks to go, but I’ve already made progress, and I’m taking the risk of sharing the ups, downs, and everything in between.
I’m not aiming for perfection. My goal is to make visible improvements by Christmas, and to embrace the reality of a sidetracked home organization work in progress.
Why I Got Started:
Christmas is fast approaching, and while I’ve made a lot of headway since October, I know there’s still work to be done. My family has seen the chaotic side of my home before, so this year, I’m hoping they’ll notice the difference, even if I’m not quite finished. The goal is progress, not perfection. Sidetracked home organization, indeed! I’m one of those people for whom the holidays have been difficult, and this has not improved since 2008. This year I’m feeling like doing better. So, yay.
The Sidetracked Home Executives Inspiration:
Many years back, I found inspiration in a 1970s book called The Sidetracked Home Executives. The authors recommended a system using recipe cards—each card had a zone or a task, and you’d do 15 minutes of decluttering every day. It’s a method that works for people who need small, manageable chunks.
I love the simplicity of the system, but instead of recipe cards, I’m going digital with an Excel sheet (because adding more paper clutter to my life is the last thing I need!).
FlyLady vs. My Simpler Approach:
For those of you familiar with FlyLady, you’ll know she took the Sidetracked system to another level, introducing more detailed steps. And for some, FlyLady works beautifully. But for me? I tried it, and while I respect the system, it felt a little overwhelming. I’d get caught up in the details and eventually just give up. By the time I had worked up to several things I was supposed to do each day, I was done. For me, it helps to know that 15 minutes can always be enough.
So this time, I’m embracing a back-to-basics approach—something that keeps me moving forward without all the layers of complexity.
The Dining Room: My First Advance:
I started with the dining room in early October. Honestly, it’s the room that bugged me the most. It had become a dumping ground for random art things, like frames and wrapping paper, and finding the table was a challenge. I also added my tea space to the buffet table, and that just sent it to clutter oblivion.
But I’ve been spending 15-30 minutes a day on it, and I’m happy to say I’m seeing progress! We only eat in there when we have company, which is one reason it gathers clutter, but it’s a space that is seen when people first enter our home, so it would be nice if it were clean and functional at the same time. I want it to be a showcase for showing off my artwork, to be honest. Sure, it’s still a work in progress, but it’s already a huge improvement from where I started.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Decluttering in Short Bursts: I set a timer and focus on one small area at a time. Sometimes I get carried away and go beyond the timer, but having it there helps me start without feeling overwhelmed. The key is that I am free to quit when the timer goes off. As the Sidetracked Home Executives used to say, anyone can clean for 15 minutes. (Although more on that in a minute).
- Organizing with a Digital System: I’ve been using an Excel sheet to track what I’ve decluttered and what still needs attention. Keeping it simple has been key. There might be a better app out there for this–in fact I’d bet money there is–but I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of looking for it right now. With my ADHD brain that will be a whole day of doing research on Gawd Knows What and no 15 minutes of cleaning!
- Decorating as Motivation: I’m an artist, so naturally, I’ve been adding decorative touches along the way. A gallery wall of some of my 100 Faces Portrait Project is a big reinforcer for me, featuring my Robin Williams life cast—it’s helping me stay motivated and excited about the space.
My Work in Progress:
So, what’s the plan for the next few weeks? I’ll keep tackling one space at a time. By the time my family shows up for Christmas, I expect my home will still be a work in progress, but a lot further along than it was back in October. And that’s enough for me.
If you’re like me—someone who gets overwhelmed by clutter but still wants to make progress—my advice is to start small with me. Pick one room or even one corner and give yourself permission to stop after 15 minutes. Progress over perfection, my friends! Oh, guess what? You can make your base time shorter than 15 minutes if you find 15 minutes isn’t cutting it. I have a friend who does 11 minutes a day. If you’re not doing it, the chunks are too big, so little them down. Seven minutes a day, anyone? One point five minutes can be a good starting point! Sidetracked home organization is not one-size-fits-all!
Conclusion:
So here I am, two months into my sidetracked home organization mission to declutter and create a space that feels calmer and more functional. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But is it better? Definitely! I’m excited to see how much more I can accomplish before the holidays. And if you’re feeling inspired, grab a timer and join me. We’ll tackle the chaos together, one day at a time. Soon I’ll show you some progress pics!