You ever wake up and think, “What happened?” This happens to me every morning. I have passed out the night before and not finished something I planned to. And then, I open my underwear drawer only to realize I have no clean panties. Then I realize my evil twin, Single Messy and Disorganized has taken control of my daily life yet again.

I’ve decided it’s time to tame Ms. Disorganized and take more control of my life.  So, I’ve made a list of 5 things I can do to keep my chaotic life from spiraling out of control.

Everyone HATES Laundry

I hate laundry. But it’s a necessary evil when you go into your underwear drawer and realize there are no clean panties in there.  I used to follow the Fly Lady who talked to us perfectionists who clean rather “slowly”. The one suggestion she had that I loved was one load of laundry a day!  This I can handle; one load in the washer before bed and out and in to the dryer before work.

So far, I only do this once a week, but it’s a work in progress. Now if only there were a folding fairy. I tend to leave my clothes on top of the dryer entirely too long.

I Don’t Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is not one the pre-plan list. I need to eat due to morning medicine and I would rather run out of the house starving because breakfast is not my favorite. I have started making egg white muffins with meat and veggies that are super portable and filling. Bonus: There are 12 of them!  Meaning I only have to prep them once every 12 days!  Yay me!

Use my phone’s calendar

Yes, I need to know when my best friend’s birthday is, but more importantly, I need to stop missing her kid’s milestones.  I also need to stop forgetting about the school fundraisers and my few social engagements.  Maybe I won’t make them all because I am just too tired, but I would like to actually ask for forgiveness instead of not showing up at all.

Now if I could just remember to tell my phone to remind me an hour before the event. Early reminders get forgotten as well.

Declutter My World

I’m a shopper and not a finisher of products. The fact that I do not consume all that I purchase means that I am left with an enormous amount of extra stuff. Unfortunately, from my mom’s time in the military, I form attachments to stuff. I may have 12 types of lotion, but I probably don’t know where they all are.  I think my worst crime is with clothing.  I love clothes more than anything in this world.  I buy clothes all the time.  My attachment to clothes is the hardest to correct.  I will remember something as the outfit that contributes to a great memory and can’t bear to part with it. Or I will have a dress I have not worn in 12 years and can’t bear to part with it.

Since I know that this issue is the most painful for me to correct, I have to spend a few days reducing clothes, telling myself it can be replaced if it really has to be.

I did join Gywnnie Bee to curb my clothes buying habit. It gives me the opportunity to refresh my wardrobe often and send it back.  Best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.

Cleaning House is for Neat People

Tackling house cleaning is probably the one thing I never do.  I am ashamed of it.  I used to be truly neat as a pen, but depending on my mental state, cleaning could be the last thing I want to do.

I’m trying to institute another of the Fly Lady’s tips.  This is where you pick an area in your home, set a timer for 15 minutes and clean as much as you can. You’d be surprised how long 15 minutes is in whirlwind cleaning time.  And as soon as my daughter is older, I am going to set the timer for her so she can get into the habit of cleaning every day instead of giving up large chunks of time to clean house.

I hope I can stick to the plan to become Single, Neat and In Control but only time will tell.