Last year my goal was to SIMPLIFY.
This year my goal is to GET ORGANIZED.
To be honest, I’m tired of hunting for school books around my house, having food expire in the back of my pantry, paying library fines, and lots of other things.
I’ve always been an organized person, but as our family has grown my ability to bring my children along side me and teach them to work within our household system has been severely lacking.
It all ends today! Actually it ended yesterday, but I wasn’t on the computer much to share it with you. (I was busy organizing)
Over the next year I’m going to get organized. And you are too! (If you want, I’m not going to make you, just encourage you)
So join me for Organized in 365: Simplify and Organize One Day at a Time. Tips to help you get organized and stay organized throughout the year! From budgeting to kid’s schoolwork to the kitchen we are going to organize it all, one day at a time.
Are you with me?
Organized in 365 Archives
General Organization Tips
- Stuff
- Give, Sell, Donate, Toss
- 28 Days to Hope for Your Home
- Creating Stations to Stay Organized
- Hoarders: It Didn’t Happen Overnight
- Getting Rid of Stuff
- System for Donating Household Items
- Live Everyday Like You Are Moving
- Limit the Piles
- Pile Therapy
- Home Organization Tips
- Touch It Once
- Freecycle What You Don’t Want
- Organize without Spending the Big Bucks
- A Plan to Organize Your Home
- Organize in 15 Minutes a Day
- What to do With Clutter
- Chalkboard Labels
Around the Home
- Repurpose a Dish Rack to Organize Papers
- Bread Box Charging Station
- Stationary Organizer
- Ribbon Storage
- Ribbon Organizer
- Craft Supply Center
- Organizing Small Craft Items
- Linen Closet Organization
- Medicine Cabinet Organization
- First Aid Organization
- Organize Medicine
- Organizing Batteries
- Storing Batteries
- Junk Drawer Organization
- Creative Ways to Organize Jewelry
- Organize Hair Accessories
- Headband Storage
- Magnetic Bobby Pin Strip
- Makeup Brush Storage
- Purse Organization
- Organize a Workroom
- Desk Organization
- Laundry Room Organization
- Organizing the Laundry Room
- Organize a Work Room
- Spray Bottle Storage
- Bathroom Towel Rack
- Organizing Digital Photos
- Organizing Photos
- Pegboard Tool Organization
- Magazine Organization
- Magazine Clutter
Using Containers
- Organize with Shoeboxes
- Repurpose Household Containers
- Organizing With Pencil Boxes
- Organize Cosmetics with a Silverware Tray
- Repurposed Diaper Boxes
- Organizing with Shoe Bags
- Using Plastic Boxes to Organize
- Baby Wipes Containers
- Organize with Egg Cartons
- Multiple Uses for a Business Card Holder
- Making Storage Containers Attractive
- Organizing with Freezer Bags
- Organizing with Dishpans
Cleaning
- Spring Cleaning Checklist
- Spring Cleaning Motivation
- Get Paid to Spring Clean Your Home
- How to Clean Baseboards
- How to Clean a Refrigerator
- How to Clean Window Tracks
- How to Clean a Ceiling Fan
- How to Prevent Duct Contamination
- Clean Your Intake Vents
- Heating and Air Conditioning Filters
- Organize Your House Cleaning
- Organize Cleaning Chores
- Broom and Dustpan Storage
Productivity
- Make a List
- Take Care of It Today
- Top Five
- Family Routine Checklist
- Family Travel Checklist
- Master Packing List
- Sunday Basket
- Get Organized in 15 Minutes a Day
- Habits of Organized People
- Weekly Chore Chart
- Setting Goals & Creating a Home Management Binder
- Organize Your Life with Binders
- Family Notebook
- Command Center
- Family Organization
- Weekly Schedule
- Color Coding for Family Organization
- Household Chore Schedule
- Organize Important Papers
- 15 Ways to Get Organized: 10 Minute Tasks
- Organize Your Quiet Time
- Organize Your Prayer Time
Kids
- Children’s Chore Lists
- Free Online Chore Chart
- Organizing Homeschool Supplies
- Dish Rack Workbox System
- Organized Chaos
- Activities that Encourage Thankfulness
- Homeschool Workboxes
- Get Organized with Wire Shelves
- Get Your Homeschool Organized
- Morning Chores
- Chore System for Kids
- Curriculum Organization
- Chore Bingo
- Babysitter Checklist
- Homework Box
- Age Appropriate Chores for Kids (printable)
- Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
- Organizing Kids Paperwork
- Organizing Legos
- Organize Hair Accessories
- Coloring Book Organization
- Flexible Homeschool Lesson Plans
- Homeschool Task Cards
- Help Kids Keep Their Rooms Organized
- Simple Chore Chart
- Organize Artwork and Schoolwork
- On the Go Kids Storage
Toys
- Large Toy Organization
- Organizing Toys 1
- Organizing Toys 2
- Organize Toys with Clear Bins
- Organizing the Playroom
- Organize Dress Up Clothes
- Ball Storage
- Peek-A-Boo Toy Sack
- Lego Instruction Organization
- Stuffed Animal Storage
- Scooter Stand
- Organize Toys
- Organize Puzzles
Finances/ Shopping
- Organize Store Reward Cards
- Electronic Bill Delivery
- Get your Budget Organized
- Weekly Budget Meetings
- Organize Paper Bills
- You Can’t Take it With You
- Organize Your Coupons in a Box
- Organizing Your Bills
- Budgeting Printable
- Keep Track of Budget and Spending
- Organizing Store Loyalty Cards
Kitchen & Menu Planning
- Organize the Kitchen With a Recycled Dresser
- How to Organize Loose Recipes
- Organize Kitchen Towels
- Repurpose Magazine Holders
- Menu and Chore Planning
- Monthly Menu Planning
- Meal Planning
- How to Organize Recipes and Cookbooks
- Magnetic Menu Board
- Grocery Bag Storage
- Coffee Can Labels
- Kitchen Organization Tips
- Kitchen Organization
- Lunch Supplies Organization
- Kitchen Paper Organization
Refrigerator & Freezer
- Organized the Freezer with Recycled Containers
- Organize the Freezer With Wire Shelves
- Organize the Refrigerator
- Dry Erase Freezer Inventory
- Organized Freezer
- Using Produce Before it Rots
- Organizing an Upright Freezer
- Organizing a Chest Freezer
- Freezer Inventory
- Keep Track of Frozen Foods
- Organizing a Deep Freezer
Pantry
Cabinets & Drawers
- Using Cabinet Doors for Extra Storage Space
- Silverware Drawer Clean Out and Organization
- Cleaning Cabinet Doors
- Organizing Baking Dishes
- DIY Customized Utensil Drawer
- Cabinet Organization
- Organizing Kids Dishes
- Spice Organization
- Spice Organization 2
- Under the Sink Organization
- Cutting Board Organization
- Tea Organization
- Organizing Spices
- Tea Organization
- Kitchen Sink Storage
- Organize Spices and Baking Ingredients
- Organizing Kitchen Cupboards
- Lunch Box Storage
- Soup Can Storage
- Organize Spices and Seasonings
- Under Sink Organization
- Under Sink Organization 2
- Organizing Kids Dishes
- Spice Cabinet Organization
Clothes/Linens
- Mitten, Hat, and Glove Organization
- Clothing Storage and Organization
- Organizing and Laundering Linens
- Organize Your Clothes
- Spring Cleaning
- Spring Cleaning: Storing Seasonal Items
- Basic Organizing Rules: Spring Cleaning
- Winter/Summer Clothing Swap
- Unmentionables
- Labeled Laundry Bins
- Organizing Suits and Ties
- Home and Travel Clothing Organizer
- Laundry Routine
- Organize School Outfits
- Getting Your Laundry Pile Under Control
- Containers for Organizing Clothes
- Traveling with Young Children
- Family Closet
- Laundry Basket Dresser
- Storing Seasonal Clothing
- How to Fold Sheets
- How to Fold a Fitted Sheet
- Laundry Room Storage
- Organizing the Linen Closet
- Extra Sheet Organization
Garage/Workshop/Car
- Keeping a Clean Car
- Garage Organization
- Garage Organization 2
- Organizing Toys in the Garage
- How to Store Leftover Paint
- Mini Van Trunk Organization
- Mini Van Organization
Christmas/Holidays
Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip here.
Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.
I am so with you. I feel exactly as you do. I’ve lost control of my home and all that is in it and I need to get back on track. I pledge to be more organized in 2012!
I share your plight. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and support is out here! Good luck everyone!
My problem is getting my family on board. My husband is very helpful with cooking and other things. But he is very messy and tends to hoard a lot. My teenage daughter is to much of a argument to get her to do anything.. Please help… I am so overwhelmed that I gave up a long time ago on trying to keep my house the way I like it. And it is so bad that I am ashamed to have any one here or host parties any more..
Would LOVE to join you! Count me in!
I am with you!
I am soon with you!
What has helped me with homeschool this year was the bucket…Each boy has a work bucket that is filled the night before with all school that must be done the next day. All they need to do is grab the bucket and know what must be done, no more asking me how much more work do I have, they can see it in the bucket, and of course the it colored coded. We have 3 boys who I call The Wisemen. They each have a color….One is Blue, one is Green, the other is Red. As much as possible I buy them things in their colors. ex-folders,buckets,pencil cases,bedding,hoodies,ex…They all know their color and that helps so much with everything else, not just school. Pool toys are even color coded,sunglasses. That has helped the wisemen as well,they can see what needs to put away just based on the color of the item…..
We have 4 kids and are color coded, too. My MIL did this with her 3 boys and it’s pretty genius
They have color coded bath towels, buckets at the door for hats/mittens/etc., chore charts, etc.
Me too! this is my goal for the year
I’m in!
me too…with a second baby on the way in march, we have to get organized or she may get lost in the junk! ugh!
Our second is due very soon, and I am afraid he/she will get lost as well!
I am in!
I’m in! I was just thinking yesterday that it was time to get organized!
I’m with you! Sick to death and back of the constant mess, and constant searching for SOMETHING!
I’m in too. This is just what I need.
I so need this!!
Count me in, this sounds like something I have been looking for!!
I’m in and can’t wait!
I am fairly organized, but you can never have too much of a good thing.:-) I love the slogan!
I am totally with you! I have been reading all these “this is how you get organized” posts all over the place and thinking, “but they don’t know what it is like to have all this extra STUFF since we homeschoooooooool” [insert whiney voice here].
Lindsey,
Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one who is getting swallowed alive by school stuff!
You totally made me giggle!
Same here! LOL I am drowning in school stuff!
Sounds great!
I could have written this post…I am very much in!
I’m in!!!!!! Keep the posts coming! I’ll need LOTS of motivation!!!
I’m in!! I used to be organized and now with 4 kids, I am unorganized and it’s driving me crazy!
I am with you! Just paid a 94.00 library fine :\
Ouch!
I am sooooo in!!! I definitely need to get organized!
I’m in, but can’t start until spring. My little boy is having a bone marrow transplant in 2 weeks for leukemia. When he is home and better I’ll need to start. My house is quickly looking like an episode of the hoarders.
Hi Sharon, I know this isn’t the point of your comment, but I wanted you to know that I said a prayer for you and your little boy, that his transplant won’t be too hard on him and for his complete recovery.
Praying for your little boy Sharon.
Also praying for your son, Sharon.
Would love to get organized, and I need all the encouragement I can get!
Count me in!
I got some great ideas for organizing my home from FlyLady.net. I recommend it to everybody! Good luck!
Can’t wait! We are expecting our first baby within the month, and I want to better establish our home as a peaceful, organized place in which she can grow up! I’ve gotten so lax in simple things and I know if I don’t get on top of it, adding baby to the mix isn’t going to help!! Looking forward to following along!
I’m with ya. My “word” is FOCUS this year. Primarily FOCUS on the organization:)))
Good word! Still trying to decide what to make my word for the year…
I sooooo need this!!
Count me in! I was so excited to see your post! We began last year working on big projects around the house and made some progress, but there are a lot of spaces that need decluttering. Can’t wait to do it with a support team!
I can relate to that. Count me in!
I’m ready!!!!
Sounds fun!!! Count me in!!!!! :0)
I’m with you. This was actually one of my things to do this year.
I so need this. After our grown daughter was forced to move back in with us, there is “stuff” everywhere and nothing anywhere! My goal is to re-gain possession of my possessions. LOL Or at least get them in a happy place where they can be found when they’re needed and NOT several days later, while looking for something else.
I am SOOOO definitely with you on that one! I started today. I have a box and I cleared off my night stand. What does NOT go on the table top, goes into the box. I’ll repeat this until the box is full. Once it is full, it will be sorted through. What doesn’t have a home will either go into the refuse bin or it will be put in the donate bag. Once the donate bag is full it will be hauled to the local thrift store. That’s my start anyways!
I’m in!! I need order back in my life!
I am with you. Last year was just one of those years. I think I did better during the year my hubby was in Iraq and I ran things by myself. I’m ready to kick it in gear….though an upcoming PCS back to the states may make things a bit more challenging.
would LOVE to do this…only kicker is how do you get a husband that likes to keep memories in on it ?
This is what I need!
I’m in!
I am SOOOOOOOOOOO in with this! With 3 children if I don’t get organized I may lose all 3 of them.
I’m in! Can’t wait to see what ideas you have!!
I am in, and need it so badly!!
This is the best idea/resolution I could have! Thanks for the great ideas and I can’t wait to get started! My house is turning into a real toy shop now that Christmas has come and gone.
Count me in……I need this!!!
I’d love to make my way through the excuses & guilt feelings to really accomplish a semblance of organization. A network of support can only help!
I spent the day yesterday completely mucking out my almost 13 year old son’s room. We started by moving everything out, cleaning thoroughly and then purchasing those very inexpensive cubbie style square units for new side tables and one for a bench with 3 more cubbies. It offers him 11 new cubbie drawers and 7 open book shelf spaces. After setting those up, we simply moved back only what he wanted, would use and afforded him a clutter free space. We even specified a cubbie for his entire boy scout uniform, so no more looking for pieces and being large looking for uniform parts. He really got into organizing his own space and now has a really nice space of his own!
I’m with you. Being newly married with an instant family, I’m already struggling to be organized.
I am so in, I like the idea of taking it one day at a time instead of trying to tackle everything at once. Ready to be organized for 2012.
I’m totally in! I have a DS6, DS4, DD2…..we r drowning in chaos!
I absolutely LOVE this idea! I am not one of those who is naturally organized. I need help!
. I am definitely in on this! Thank you so much for offering the opportunity to get organized together!
I need help organizing all the things I have to organize things with !!!
I’m am SO on the same page as you!!! I don’t homeschool, BUT I do work 2 jobs as a single mother and also am the PTO president for my son’s school, his cub scout leader, his tball coach and my house has suffered because of it all!! I need my house to be super organized so that my son can help keep it clean and we don’t get drowned in clutter!
I am in too
I am very excited to get to it!
With you 100%. I used to be really organized before my 4th child came & no I’m slacking
. Need to get back my mojo 
I’m IN!
I’m in…in particular I need to get my garage under control.
I am so in!!!
I’m so with you on this… Was just telling my hubby yesterday to watch our I was gonna be cleaning house. Lol
Yes, I’m in!! I’ve been slowly trying to simplify and get organized over the last few months. Can’t wait to see your tips. Thank you in advance!
I am so with you!
Getting organized is a priority of mine for this year as well. Can’t wait for your tips!
Very exciting!!! Can’t wait!
I’m in for sure!
Started this process yesterday…with the fridge!
And then it moved onto the family/ school/ daycare room. Now if I could get the other rooms as organized I would be so put together I wouldn’t know what to do with myself…haha!
I am with you and can’t wait to get started!! As a household of 3 kids, a homebased public schooler, full time college student disguised as a mother, 2 kids 4 & under, cat & so much more chaos I would be here all day to describe…thank you we need this!
YES, YES, YES!!! I am IN!!!
My word is a carry over from last since I need to still learn it – INTENTIONAL. But organization does fall under intentional! 
I’m in! I “used” to be soooo organized – but somehow it has somehow gone the way of the dodo bird. My goals this year are to be more financially responsible and more family orientated – this will definately fit right in with my goals! I would love to share some of the ideas that I have, as well as things that I have done in the past and are bringing back into my life. I would love for you to share with you and your readers at my blog – my first idea that I’ve brought back from the land of the lost are monthly menu’s. Check it out at http://www.cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com. Can’t wait to read about your ideas!
Oh my gosh – can you say, “read your post first Carol”? I am so embarrassed! I usually don’t make that many mistakes within a post (“but somehow it has somehow gone the way of the dodo bird” and “I would love for you to share with you and your readers at by blog”). With writing like that NO one should read my blog – REALY!!!! Let me try that again – What I meant to say was I used to be so organized but it has somehow gone the way of the dodo bird. I also wanted to let you know that I would love to share with you and your readers my ideas at my blog and invite you to come over. Now that I have corrected my horrible mistakes you might want to come see that I really do write better than the original comment. (My only excuse might be – I’m trying to get supper on the table at the same time I am typing this – are you buying it???? No, huh – well, I promise – I’ll do better – just come see!
I am in too!!!! Thanks!
This is great! Just what our home needs this year. I want one word for a theme this year but I may have to settle for 2. Organize and Simplify. Both will be BIG helpers for us.
I’m in!
I’m organized, too, but always looking for more tips, especially ones the rest of the family will actually use!
I’m in. I used too be so with it… then I got married and had kids. Some of the things I’ve done over the years is put school papers in a plastic bin, at the end of each month I kept only certain papers and recycled the rest. At the end of the year, I go through them again then put each childs in a folder and label. Also, I have a lost and found bin that we put little pieces of legos and whatever I find laying around the house in. The color coding I’ve done since they were babies. Looking forward to getting input from other moms.
I’m in…this is just what I need!!
hi! i am a little late to join..but better late than never! so i am in too….I am from India, so thins work a bit differently here. out homes, kitchen designs and space utilities are so different but i will utilize your tips to to get things around my home organized, wherever applicable and remodify to suit my humble home.
Also my blog had been laying still for a while few months..i will revive it from participating through your blog. iam so happy, i found you…
Omg! Are you kidding?! This is amazing! An answer to my prayers!
Yes, yes! Count me in, I will share this on my blog too. Spreading the word and get these homes organised! Thankyou for putting on a great challenge. H x
Okay! It’s not New Year’s Eve, but I need to resolve to get more organized. I’m going to give your method a try. It may take me two years, but I’m determined! Thanks for the great ideas.
I need organization!
I just found this on pinterest and am psyched to get started too! You nailed my life status right on the head, and I’m excited to enter into 2013 with this plan in my arsenal. Thanks!!!!!
Count me in Please!!
Yes!!!!! I have a 6 wk old and my house was already a hot mess before his birth! This year I vow to do better and stop the madness! I’m looking forward to reading through your tips
Where do I sign up? Second bubba is due in march & I need to start getting this house sorted!
I’m starting this late *smile* but I’m looking forward to searching through your archives to get organized