The title was going to be "Getting Organized"... but that's not the way it is.
As DW and I get older, life slows down, but at the same time, gets more complicated. While we marvel at those in their 80's and 90's who seem to be wise, active and alert, we realize that for us, it is not to be.
Being used to juggling priorities and multi-tasking, it becomes more apparent the this is no longer possible, and perhaps the downhill slide will be faster than we'd like. This is enormously frustrating and worrisome. So we are learning to cope. I only wish we had begun the preparations sooner. FWIW, the following may be a waste of time for many, but posting here some thoughts that might be helpful... if not for you, for aging parents or relatives.
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Basically, two things... habits and simplification.
1. Where is it, and when? This is the habit part. A place for everything, and everything in its' place, and, a time for whatever.
Examples:
a. The Dish - A glass dish for wallet, keys, loose change, small flashlight, pen/pencil, 3X5 cards, cellphone, rubber bands and scotch tape and that thing you found on the floor but don't recognize.
b. The refrigerator calendar.
2. Simplify! Maybe not what you're thinking. Not the simplification that comes from organizing.... That's a devil in the details, and can be even more frustrating. If you want to build a monster for your old age, get a 4 drawer filing cabinet. Our solution is not filing, but 3 part piling, and NOT in a cabinet, folders or dividers. 3 Stacks.
a. - to be paid/answered
b. - to be kept
c. - keep for a year then toss
Don't alphabetize, date, categorize or separate.
Another part of "Simplify" is to separate EVERYDAY from SOMETIMES.
One example. Kitchen- Carefully select the items we use every day. Lower cabinet, top drawer. The turkey baster and the rice steamer... somewhere else.
I'd like to add more, but will leave it for argument and discussion, hoping to add more if there's any interest.
As DW and I get older, life slows down, but at the same time, gets more complicated. While we marvel at those in their 80's and 90's who seem to be wise, active and alert, we realize that for us, it is not to be.
Being used to juggling priorities and multi-tasking, it becomes more apparent the this is no longer possible, and perhaps the downhill slide will be faster than we'd like. This is enormously frustrating and worrisome. So we are learning to cope. I only wish we had begun the preparations sooner. FWIW, the following may be a waste of time for many, but posting here some thoughts that might be helpful... if not for you, for aging parents or relatives.
.............................................................................
Basically, two things... habits and simplification.
1. Where is it, and when? This is the habit part. A place for everything, and everything in its' place, and, a time for whatever.
Examples:
a. The Dish - A glass dish for wallet, keys, loose change, small flashlight, pen/pencil, 3X5 cards, cellphone, rubber bands and scotch tape and that thing you found on the floor but don't recognize.
b. The refrigerator calendar.
2. Simplify! Maybe not what you're thinking. Not the simplification that comes from organizing.... That's a devil in the details, and can be even more frustrating. If you want to build a monster for your old age, get a 4 drawer filing cabinet. Our solution is not filing, but 3 part piling, and NOT in a cabinet, folders or dividers. 3 Stacks.
a. - to be paid/answered
b. - to be kept
c. - keep for a year then toss
Don't alphabetize, date, categorize or separate.
Another part of "Simplify" is to separate EVERYDAY from SOMETIMES.
One example. Kitchen- Carefully select the items we use every day. Lower cabinet, top drawer. The turkey baster and the rice steamer... somewhere else.
I'd like to add more, but will leave it for argument and discussion, hoping to add more if there's any interest.