Um, if you didn’t notice, my 20 Weeks of Organizing went to hell in a hand-basket. Yeah. The idea was to make a list of 20 things, one to be completed each week, and then DO THEM! Back in March, when I started, I even gave out the rules, including, “Keep the projects small – don’t list “organize office,” that’s too broad.”
So, naturally, I put items like “# 11) Completely gut and reorganize that junk room in the basement into a guest room, while simultaneously making the former office into a nursery” on my list.
Ok, so I didn’t really. I kept my list to the rules. The problem is, I got ahead of myself, which gave me a couple extra weeks. And while I really wanted to listen to the wisdom of friends, telling me to taking it easy, not get in over my head, I mentally added #11 to the list, and then proceeded to work on it. Dummy.
Then I got overwhelmed. The basement and it’s junk room took over our lives. I got obsessed. Suddenly I was on a first name basis with the donation guy at the Goodwill, I was sewing curtains, my husband moved cabinets and counter tops to the garage. I even called my mom over for reinforcements (and then wouldn’t let her do anything), like I said, Dummy. I scoured craigslist for shelving. I moved and rearranged and scrubbed walls. I painted. I panted. I felt like passing out and giving up. I gave up. Then I read this post last week by the Organizing Junkie and I got up and did a little bit more.
There is still more to do, but I am to the point where I’m calling it good enough, so I can MOVE ON with my life and maybe get something else done.
So, here is the before of my basement junk room:
Suffice it to say that the other side of this room was equal to or greater than the mess you see above.
This is the other half DURING the work:
You can see that I set up a bed, painted a wall, and found a place to store canning supplies. Hey – canning storage was #14 on my list! I got to cross something off!
Here is the basement today – guest room. I still need to hang the curtains that are sitting on my sewing table in the second window, and a couple of pictures, but you get the idea.
It’s done enough. Next week I’ll post pictures of the nursery, and then I’m getting back on the wagon. One small, specific item, that’s actually written on the list, per week. From now on. Oy! Wish me luck!
The Lazy Homesteader 
It looks great!!! Excellent job! I am sorry you got overwhelmed. I do that to myself too. 😉
It is easy to get obsessed when organizing – one of the most important things I tell my clients is to know when it’s “good enough”. You can get really anal about labeling each little thing, making sure everything goes exactly where it’s “supposed” to go and drive yourself out of your mind – but knowing when it’s good enough to function the way you want is a big step for some people. Congrats!
Anisa – the finished product looks amazing. I tend to also bite off more than I can chew, but if I stick to what I’ve started, then I (eventually) feel pleased with myself. You – you should throw a party to celebrate. Brilliant!
I think I SHOULD have a party! It was SO much work. But I’m totally proud of it!
Looks Great, Anisa. You inspire me… to, uh…. make a list, yeah, that’s it. I’ll go make a list now. haha Keep up the good work, but rest, REST, REST!!!