Stuck at home for an extended period of time? Turn the challenge into an opportunity by tackling that home organizing project that you’d normally never have the time to complete
I find myself equal parts anxious and grateful. We chose to self-isolate starting almost two weeks ago now, in an effort to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus in our community. Our kids’ schools are closed for at least the next month, but we’re sure it will be longer. My husband has also been working from home for almost 2 weeks.
Dramatic schedule changes are always a challenge. BUT, I’m choosing to focus on the good.
I’m prone to anxiety, so I’ve had to do a lot of mental work these past few weeks to maintain my calm and sanity after prolonged exposure to the news and social media.
So this is what I’m doing to cope.
I’m reframing things. I’m attempting to turn make lemonade out of lemons. I’m going to take advantage of this time at home.
Yes, it’s hard to work at home while EVERYONE is here, but it’s also been kind of fun. My family has baked together. We’ve exercised together. We’ve taken many long walks together. There’s been lots of opportunity for togetherness!
And I’m using this additional time at home (when we would normally be at swim practice/meets or socializing with friends) to tackle home projects that have been on my list of things to do forever.
Here’s a sample of the home improvement projects we’ve crossed off the list in the past few days:
- Installing blinds in on our home office and dining room windows (on To Do list for over a year)
- Re-assembling our treadmill that was disassembled during our move (on To Do list for over a year)
- Replacing all our (brass) interior door knobs and hinges (on To Do list for 4 months)
It feels SO GOOD to finally get these things DONE. And it’s giving us a sense of control at a time when things feel so out of control.
I’m trying to view this extra time at home for what it is… an opportunity. It’s not an opportunity we asked for or anticipated, but it is still an opportunity just the same!
Want to join me?
Now that you’re confined at home, it actually is the perfect time to tackle that organizing project that’s been gnawing at you for awhile. Your home and family will benefit from it. But more important, YOU will benefit from feeling in control again.
And I’m here to help you do it.
It’s time to Choose Your Own Organizing Adventure!
Stuck at Home? Choose Your Home Organizing Adventure
I’ve dug through the archives to create an extensive smorgasbord of organizing projects for you to choose from. Start with your biggest pain point.
Be sure to bookmark this post, save it in Evernote, or better yet, pin it in Pinterest.
Once you’ve conquered that first project, return to this list to see what you can tackle next.
Decluttering
- Decluttering Prep Work
- Project-Specific Decluttering Lists
- Decluttering Tool Kit
- Decluttering Challenge
- Getting Rid of Decluttered Items
Organizing Specific Spaces
Organizing Photos
Organizing Household Papers
- Paper Organization Challenge
- How to Go Paperless
- Handy Reference Paper
- Long-Term Reference Papers (file cabinet)
- Memorabilia
- Manuals
- Magazines & Catalogs
- Receipts
- Recipes
- Coupons
Organizing Kids
Organizing Finances
Organizing Digital Life
Organizing for Preparedness
Phew! That should keep you busy for awhile!
Before you get started on your first project, review this process that you can use to organize any space. Be sure to download the free printable in that post to use as a guide as you work through your first project.
You’ll find plenty of other free organizing printables within the tutorials linked above. Want to access all my free printables in one central place? Subsribe to my newsletter and you’ll get access to the Organizing Printables Vault.
If you’re really on a roll, check out my list of DIY home project ideas to tackle next, as well as these ideas for sprucing up your space even more.
None of us choose to be stuck at home this month. But we CAN choose to make the best of it by being productive and getting things done!
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Shelbee on the Edge says
Natalie, I do hope you find some ways to curb your anxiety. I used to battle with panic and anxiety many years ago, but I have found that when I can just give up all the things out of my control, I am able to relax and trust the universe. It is a long process to teach yourself how to do that, but it is the most peaceful feeling in the world to turn over my anxiety to a higher power. All that being said, I love your attitude toward the current situation. We must make lemonade! I work from home anyway so I am just busier than ever with adding in homeschooling for the kids. But my husband is home most days now as well. He has to report to work for a few hours once a week. He has been doing tons of stuff with the kids so I can maintain my at home work schedule. So I am just counting the blessings and relishing in the lack of outside obligations! Hang in there, keep sharing your positive attitude with the world! And thanks for joining my link party.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Natalie Gallagher says
That’s a fabulous set up Shelbee! Thanks so much for stopping by and for hosting the link party 🙂
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
Love this! We have started to tackle our overgrown landscaping that we have ignored for about two years now. We still have a long way to go but each little step feels great. Thank you for sharing this great post during these times. #HomeMattersParty
Natalie Gallagher says
Oy, landscaping. We have our own issues with that here in our new house. It was neglected for the past 20 years by the previous owner, and now we’re tackling the issues a little at a time. So expensive! Good luck with your project!
Janet Schiesl says
Great list of projects for anyone who can’t think of what to do. My house is pretty organized, but I made a list of cleaning project I need to do around my house. I have started tackling them one by one. It’s great to see items checked off my list.
Natalie Gallagher says
Totally agree Janet!
Janet Barclay says
Aha – this explains all the cars I saw at Home Depot last week!
Seana Turner says
I have a list of projects to tackle with my husband since he is also stuck at home, but so far I haven’t had much luck getting his attention. He always seems to have some “work to do” or a “call to make.” I think he is just procrastinating, but eventually I plan to wear him down:)