• Raising Boys

  • In The Kitchen

  • Family Travels

The Other Side of Organized

Many of us are perpetually trying to become more organized, waffling somewhere between new cleaning projects hardcore and totally giving up and giving in to the clutter. The Other Side of Organized by born-organized professional orgnanizer Linda Samuels discusses organization structure to help you find a balance, a level of organization  you are comfortable with.

The Other Side of Organized is broken up into seasons, and discusses the inspiration of each season for wanting change and a renewed desire to organize. For example, in the winter many people are motivated to cut the clutter because they resolve to be more organized in the new year, and in the spring, the budding flowers and new life sparks a desire in many to start fresh. It is filled with anecdotes and many of the author’s personal stories, observations, and philosophical musings about the whys of disorganization- why can’t we let go, why we see clutter differently, etc. Each section offers ideas on how to find your own comfort level of organization, everything from getting into the mood to start organizing, to making sure you don’t become a slave to your To Do list.

Some wonderful tips in this book include this gem: For children with too many toys, instead of offering them gifts for their birthday, offer an experience- a day at a play, on an adventure, etc. Clothing and toy clutter was replaced with the building of wonderful memories.

My personal favorite section was the section on how to organize your closet. This is my personal project of the moment, and Samuels’ tips have been very helpful in getting me going. The Other Side of Organized is a quick read filled with lots of good ideas for organization structure and helping you be and stay organized based on your personality, but isn’t preachy and there are no step by step plans. You simply read the parts you want, work on what you need, and somewhere along the way find your own balance between chaos and perfection.

Thanks Book Sparks for the promotional copy to read for this post.

  • fluerdelyis

    Gosh, I would say that my dinning room is the issue. I have so many beautiful dishes and liens that my china cabinet and buffet are full. I have to keep some of my pretties in boxes, tuck all over the house. I have a very small home. I even have stemware in base cabinets in the bathroom.
    Thanks
    Chris Ann

    treehouse.queen18(atyahoodotcom)

  • Linda Kish

    I have a serious paper problem. I have to deal with all of the household paperwork and bills as well as 2 trusts. Things get out of control very quickly.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  • Michelle

    Ohhhh my. An area of my house? You should see my office. It's actually going to be a post someday when I get it cleaned out. I've been planning it in my head for about ohhhh eight months now. Oops.

    Email is in my profile, promise! 🙂

  • itsme

    the children's toy room is a mess

  • itsme

    baby blog vote 1

  • itsme

    baby blog vote 2

  • itsme

    mommy blog vote 1

  • itsme

    mommy blog vote 2

  • itsme

    www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com button 1

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    www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com button 2

  • itsme

    button 3 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

  • itsme

    blogroll1 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

  • itsme

    blog roll 2 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

  • itsme

    blogroll 3 www,clarissaneiding.blogspot.com

  • Connie Black

    Oooo boy, it would be easier for me to tell you which room doesn't need organized! lol
    But my basement and my daughter's room are by far the worse.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Connie Black

    Following and tweeted:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Baby Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Baby Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Mommy Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Mommy Blog!
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Connie Black

    Voted for your baby blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for your baby blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Voted for your mommy blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for your mommy blog.
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • 409cope

    My bedroom closet could really use some organizational help.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • 409cope

    I follow on twitter and tweeted-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27467160799 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • itsme

    baby blog vote 1

  • itsme

    baby blog vote 2

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27580571729 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Jane

    My basement office could use organization. It ends up being my dumping ground!
    jcottey at aol dot com

  • Jane

    #1 I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

  • Jane

    #2 I voted for you on Top Baby Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

  • Jane

    #1 I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

  • Jane

    #2 I voted for you on Top Mommy Blogs.
    jcottey at aol dot com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27668589380 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Voted Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Voted Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27756632346 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/27866549760 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28030985667 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28402760891 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Baby Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #1

  • Connie Black

    Voted for Top Mommy Blog
    epblack at zoominternet dot net
    entry #2

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28536229600 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Jessica H

    Oh man– I definitely need help organizing my office and the twins' toys!

    jessica.hester@hotmail.com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28627522762 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • amweeks

    My kitchen drawers & cabinets could definitely be organized so much better & neater!

  • amweeks

    I follow you on twitter & tweeted!

  • amweeks

    I voted for you at Top Baby Blogs! -#1

  • amweeks

    I voted for you at Top Baby Blogs! -#2

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28717655369 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28811985002 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/28937623130 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet;

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Nicole H.

    Oh, where to begin… I probably need a LOT of organization in my office area. My filing cabinet needs a makeover. I have a pile of papers that have to be filed and I never seem to have the time to print out labels and make folders, etc.

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Voted @ Top Baby Blogs #1

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Voted @ Top Baby Blogs #2

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Your button is on my left sidebar @ – #1

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Your button is on my left sidebar @ – #2

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Your button is on my left sidebar @ – #3

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • Nicole H.

    Tweet Tweet! 😀
    !/nhartmann54/status/29105488488

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29129589177 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29224160564 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29306961978 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • nhmoose99

    our home office needs some real organization help

    nhmoose99 at yahoo dot com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29400285910 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29512892984 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/29604706007 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Rhonda

    Putting Laundry away. It just piles until I can't stand it any longer

    rhondastruthers a tyahoodot ca

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Lissa

    My room really needs some organization…we also use it as an office and for crafts!

    melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/344158233436160 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • erma

    My bedroom could use some organzition.
    erma0726@sbcglobal.net

  • Connie Black

    Daily tweet:

    epblack at zoominternet dot net

  • Anonymous

    My kitchen our table always ends up flooded with junk and there never seems like I have enough cupboard space.
    shawnac68@hotmail.com

  • Anonymous

    my daughters room really needs help! moondreamer1979 at yahoo dot com

  • Pamcakes

    I could always use organizational help in my home office. No matter what I do, I can't seem to keep up!

  • Pamcakes

    I follow you on Twitter
    @ContestMom
    and tweeted!

  • Anonymous

    The spare bedroom!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/672814818402304 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • flychild7

    In my bedroom, somehow it always get disorganized!

    flychild7(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Renee G

    Our spare bedroom could definitely use some help — it's becoming a catchall.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  • Amber Y

    Our kitchen is in serious need of a little organization. I dread going in there most days, there's so much stuff EVERYWHERE :/

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

  • Amber Y

    I voted for you today!

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

  • Amber Y

    I voted for you today

    entry #2

    ayoung3360@hotmail.com

  • scarter305

    My bedroom closet is currently the area that needs organization RIGHT NOW!! I need to switch my seasonal clothes and purge clothes.

    scarter305 at aol dot com

  • Allana890

    My clothes need help… I have baskets of laundry all over the place, no room for them…
    AD85(at)live.ca

  • Homemaker

    My kitchen can really use some organization…I have WAY too many junk drawers..
    sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

  • Homemaker

    Following on Twitter & tweeted – EbayMommy
    sallylynnsara@hotmail.com

  • Laura

    My tiny home office could definitely use help with organization. I work from home and I have a little tiny space in the bedroom where I keep everything I use. It is so small that it almost seems impossible to keep everything where I can find it.

  • Laura

    I follow you on twitter.

  • Miranda Ward

    My closets Seriously need some help.

    freebiegoddess03@aol.com

  • Bobbi

    everything needs to be organized.Its very overwelming and i am not sure where to starts. Probably the bills and other household paperwork.nickbug2000@gmail.com

  • 409cope

    daily tweet-http://twitter.com/409cope/status/902336700489728 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • kathy pease

    my closets are the worst everything piled up i cant find a thing 🙁

    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  • kathy pease

    1 voted for you

  • kathy pease

    2 voted for you

  • degood

    My office could use serious help. I have PTO stuff, preschool papers, work stuff and stuff about building our new house all stacked up with each other and all over the place.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

  • degood

    I voted for you on top baby blogs.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    #1

  • degood

    I voted for you on top baby blogs

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    #2

  • Bekah

    One area that could use some help is the desk in the kitchen. I need a better system for mail so it doesnt end up in stacks on it!
    kufb50 at gmail dot com

  • susan1215

    My home office needs some serious organization

    s2s2 at comcast dot net

  • Betty C

    Every room seems to get overrun with paper! Cookbooks and recipes in the kitchen, books and magazines in the living room and bedroom and of course the office-bills, computer print-outs, and everything that doesn't seem to land anywhere else.

  • Betty C

    I follow on twitter as willitara and tweeted

  • Betty C

    I voted on Top Baby Blogs. #1

  • Betty C

    I voted on Top Baby Blogs. #2

  • Betty C

    I have your new button.

    #1

  • Betty C

    I have your new button.

    #2

  • Betty C

    I have your new button.

    #3

  • Bakersdozen

    My desk and our garage is in need of help. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

  • tina reynolds

    My desk, my kids room, my closet could all use some help

  • tina reynolds

    i voted on top baby blogs 1/2

  • tina reynolds

    i voted on top baby blogs 2/2

  • susan

    My living room seems to need help, I would love to get that together. suelee1998 @ gmail.com

  • Busy Working Mama

    My office could use some major help. Thanks!!
    aleksa91 hotmail

  • purango

    My garage needs some organization help. garrettsambo@aol.com

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