home organization

Homeschool organization is flat out hard work. On top of that tons of organization books and blogs stand ready to take up our precious time. 

The problem with most organizational books is that the tips are normally based on the fact you have all day to organize.

If you already struggle with a starting point on organization then sorting out beneficial tips from hype is not easy.

Doling out or scheduling the time to give to each thing in our life can be flat out stressful.

Surviving and succeeding in the homeschool world depends on organization. 

So instead of overwhelming you with all the areas of your home and school to organize, I want to help you identify your starting point.

Homeschool Organization

1. Determine YOUR trouble spot, it’s not always the learning area. Sometimes it’s the heart of the home, the kitchen.

Those naturally organized know a simple truth that may seem like a secret always eluding people who struggle with organization and that is organization is not a system, but it is about finding a solution. 

That’s it!  Simmer on that a minute and you will see why I always tell you to take from me what works for your family and discard the rest.

That is why it never serves you well to abandon your present method willy-nilly without first determining what is not working for you right now.

Identify with precision what the problem is. Do not group it ALL together. 

For example, if you are struggling with curriculum, then ask: What is not working – SPECIFICALLY?

Is it the order of the subjects, the content matter or the book?

If it is your learning area, then what exactly is causing the stress? Lack of shelves? Too many books?

Identifying precise problems equals not jumping to buying things that don’t work for you.

For example, as tempting as they are, the first step is not buying beautiful bins and baskets to begin any project.

Have you done that before?

Declutter First Then Create a System

Determined that you are going to be organized you run to the store to fill up with beautiful baskets which do not fit your shelves once you bring them home. Don’t do that as tempting as it is.

Identify and sizing up the project is the first step to organizing. 

Sizing up can be measured in time if you need to declutter or it could be measured by how many bookshelves, or baskets you need.

Look at the list below of all the things weighing on our homeschool organization to be organized list.

What is on your mind of things that need to be done and are causing chaos?

2. Divide-Conquer Approach. Create an EASY to do list. One or two things.

The hardest part to an organizational project whether it takes time to declutter or you actually need to measure for a drawer for your books, is overcoming the feeling of defeat in the beginning. 

I have been there too and I don’t like dwelling there. 

It is that feeling that we have so much to do that we are not sure of even where to start.

It is important at this point to divide what is most important to you now and what can be conquered later.

Hear my heart on this one and that is sometimes it is not curriculum that we need to begin with when we make our priority list.

When we ignore that murmuring voice inside which tells us we can’t school each day because we have no groceries, or a menu or clean clothes, we set up our school for stress. 

There is no denying that because we have shared learning and living spaces, we have to address whatever thing is causing our chaos.

Begin with identifying one or two things on your list to conquer and no more.

The Organization Plan. A Flop or Followed?

3. Create a SIMPLE easy plan to be done in minutes, not hours.

This part is the part I seriously get giddy about because organization is fun.

So unless I have projects which can take hours, I begin with the ones which takes minutes.

In addition, when you start with easy projects, you have more room whether it’s physical space or mentally your mind is freed up of the stress.

 No, I don’t like to think about sorting through the piles, but I focus on how the area will be clean and clutter free. 

If it’s an organizing form I need, I am energized to make it specific with details and not just generalizations.

Pssssst..that is how my 7 step diy homeschool planner was born. Out of my need, came a plan.

If it’s a physical area in my home that needs to be decluttered, I get excited thinking about the possibilities of a fresh look for my space.

It’s a win win all the way around.

By taking my list and identifying one or two things I want to change, I have made it a project that I can handle and homeschool too.

Renew your spirit to organize because simple baby steps or changes can bring huge results.

You know I love ya and I am excited to be bring more posts this year on organizing how-tos.

Do you see an easy starting point?

Here are some more tips for homeschool organization:

• Must-Haves for the Organized Homeschooler. What to Keep & What to Skip
• Homeschool Organization – Why You’re Still Drowning in Clutter
• Homeschool Organization Motivation – 11 Gadgets To Get You Going
• Homeschool Planner Supplies – Organizational Eye Candy Because Paper Planners ROCK!
• 6 Ways to Organize Your Homeschooled Teen
• 100 BEST Ideas to Organize Your Homeschool Area – Storage, Spaces, and Learning Places
• 100 Ways to Organize Kids

Hugs and love ya,

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