No Exaggeration!!!

       Just in case you had begun to wonder if I am truly a "messy," I thought I would provide a little proof through pictures.  I honestly have not decided whether I am brave or stupid, to be so honest about the condition of my home in such a public way!  However, they say the first step to recovery is to admit the problem. So here you have it! Consider these the "before" pictures of my room.  I had already taken a day working on it, before I realized that I might want to take a couple pictures so folks wouldn't think I was exaggerating. That is the only reason the bed looks so nice in the foreground! = )  I look forward to sharing the "after" pictures with you! I have high hopes, this time around, that I will tackle my messy ways once and for all!

       At this point you might be wondering what would make this time any different than the last several (hundred) times I have tried.  A lot of that has to do with the system I am using to change it.  I mentioned in my last post that I was reading Kathi Lipp's book The Get Yourself Organized Project: 21 Steps to Less Mess and Stress, AND I love it!  I have read (skimmed through) at least a dozen or more organization books, and this one is probably the first one that actually makes sense to my personality and brain-wiring.  Her underlying philosophy is that it is not about living to organize, but rather organizing to live!  Now, some people truly get enjoyment out of organizing and cleaning, and I have read many of their books and lived in their homes (I love you mom!).  However, I was not created that way at all!  Don't get me wrong, I love the final outcome of such activities, but the process is often torturous and dull. = )  Kathi has done a great job so far at speaking to those of us who would rather be doing something (read that, anything) other than organizing our homes.  She doesn't dictate a system, but rather gives some basic guidelines for you to create a system out of what is already working in your home.  She keeps it lighthearted and simple.  Most of the chapters are no more than 3-4 pages long, so even the reading isn't overwhelming.  It is SO nice to get done reading and not feel paralyzed by defeat before I have even begun.  I can do this!
      
       So today is my official start date on the "Organization Project."  There are 21 projects divided under three categories: Home, Family and Personal.  Each week I will pick one project from each category for a total of three.  This week my projects are my master bedroom (as seen above), the laundry, and my handbag.  Kathi suggests starting with the projects that are giving you the most problems and/or are the most overwhelming, and all three of this week's fit that description. = )  So wish me luck, send prayers my way, and hold on for the ride!  You never know what stories could climb out of those piles. (Let's hope that is not literal! yikes!!!)  If you really feel inspired, join me!
I would love to have some virtual organizing buddies on this adventure!  Here's to a wonderful Monday and a productive week ahead! My motto for life right now is, "It's about progress, not perfection."  So let's go make some progress.  = )

Ginger

(BTW- Sorry if the pictures are not of the highest quality, but I can't find my camera. No surprise! So I took them with my phone. Plus, I was hoping that if they were slightly grainy/blurry maybe the mess wouldn't look as bad! lol)