Any life coaches on the board??? I need help!

[dizzyde]

So, I need help. I am at a crossroads in my life; I am turning the big 40 this year, my daughter is pretty much grown (unless she needs money), and I am needing some help in getting my life organized.

The last few years, since my daughter started college, have been weird for me. I think I had a little bit of a personal crisis (perhaps the anxiety attacks should have been my first clue) when she started college, call it denial or whatever, but I kind of stopped taking care of the details. I am happy and healthy, but my house is a mess and the clutter is driving me insane. I really have clutter in a lot of areas in my life.

I am looking toward making some significant life changes in the next few years, but I really need to get my life in order before I start making big decisions.

Does anyone know of any really good books (they have to be really good or I will lose interest quick, I am not a self-help book kind of girl) or have any pointers on organization/de-cluttering/whatever that you think would be helpful??

[revrandy]

Forget the Books....Clean the House and start from there....

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

So, I need help. I am at a crossroads in my life; I am turning the big 40 this year, my daughter is pretty much grown (unless she needs money), and I am needing some help in getting my life organized.

The last few years, since my daughter started college, have been weird for me. I think I had a little bit of a personal crisis (perhaps the anxiety attacks should have been my first clue) when she started college, call it denial or whatever, but I kind of stopped taking care of the details. I am happy and healthy, but my house is a mess and the clutter is driving me insane. I really have clutter in a lot of areas in my life.

I am looking toward making some significant life changes in the next few years, but I really need to get my life in order before I start making big decisions.

Does anyone know of any really good books (they have to be really good or I will lose interest quick, I am not a self-help book kind of girl) or have any pointers on organization/de-cluttering/whatever that you think would be helpful??

Flylady. It's a web-based annoyance that works pretty well. lol

www.flylady.net

Most of the flylady's stuff is based off of Side Tracked Home Executives, which is an amazing book. And, if I haven't already given it away you're welcome to my copy.

As for the decluttering, can we just trade houses? lol I'll do yours, you do mine? Actually, I'm really, really good at organizing and decluttering, but I've let things get way out of control lately. I enjoy doing it and have considered starting a business organizing other people's kitchens and closets.

Flylady is really the easiest, most painless way to start. She starts you out with shining your sink. That's it. Once that's a habit (ok, the assumption is if your sink is shined, the dishes are done...but..um..there are other places for dirty dishes to live...lol) then you move onto something else.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

Flylady. It's a web-based annoyance that works pretty well. lol

www.flylady.net

Most of the flylady's stuff is based off of Side Tracked Home Executives, which is an amazing book. And, if I haven't already given it away you're welcome to my copy.

As for the decluttering, can we just trade houses? lol I'll do yours, you do mine? Actually, I'm really, really good at organizing and decluttering, but I've let things get way out of control lately. I enjoy doing it and have considered starting a business organizing other people's kitchens and closets.

Flylady is really the easiest, most painless way to start. She starts you out with shining your sink. That's it. Once that's a habit (ok, the assumption is if your sink is shined, the dishes are done...but..um..there are other places for dirty dishes to live...lol) then you move onto something else.

Thanks! I'll check that out, and if you have the book I would love to have it, I would send you money for postage.

[nahkoe]

And, I can be ruthless about decluttering. If you're sentimental, that could be painful for you. You'll really feel better without all the stuff that's no longer serving any purpose for your life. Freecycle and Craigslist are my best friends. I post boxes of stuff for free, it's gone and no longer my concern, and hopefully helping someone else out. I sell what has value (I made $400 last month this way..).

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Thanks! I'll check that out, and if you have the book I would love to have it, I would send you money for postage.

Dizzy..Save your money...Clean the House...things work a lot better if they are clean....get rid of the clutter...work...work...work....and then read....start tonight...

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

And, I can be ruthless about decluttering. If you're sentimental, that could be painful for you. You'll really feel better without all the stuff that's no longer serving any purpose for your life. Freecycle and Craigslist are my best friends. I post boxes of stuff for free, it's gone and no longer my concern, and hopefully helping someone else out. I sell what has value (I made $400 last month this way..).

You know, this is part of my problem, I am extremely sentimental, and three of my grandparents have died within the last few years and I hoarded a lot of things that have no use to me, but I am having trouble getting rid of.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by revrandy

Forget the Books....Clean the House and start from there....

This is really true. You can make out a list of things that need taking care of. The important items first. Check them off as you go and there you are.

I've never actually practiced this, but it seems like it could work.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

You know, this is part of my problem, I am extremely sentimental, and three of my grandparents have died within the last few years and I hoarded a lot of things that have no use to me, but I am having trouble getting rid of.

Just organize it...clean it up....put things away....find a place for stuff...

The more you can organize the better it will be....

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

Thanks! I'll check that out, and if you have the book I would love to have it, I would send you money for postage.

Quick look around and I don't see it. I've probably either given it away, or it's already in Texas waiting for me. I think you can probably find a copy pretty cheaply at amazon or half.com. I will look again when I don't have a fever..and if I find it while getting ready to move I'll check if you have a copy yet.