I am no longer a New Year’s resolution kind of person. My resolutions were always too strict and things I was destined to break. Instead of resolutions, I am setting a few life-friendly, good-for-me goals for 2009.
This past year things went, to use one of my favorite phrases, to hell in a handbasket. My once casually-organized office morphed into a jungle. In fact, the whole house has taken on jungle-like qualities, and I am not referring to the musical jungle in Disney’s production of the “Jungle Book.” My jungle is one of paper, clutter, and dust.
Up until now, I have been too preoccupied with life events to care or to do anything about it. As I head into 2009, I know that this disorganized situation isn’t good for me and contributes to making me feel anxious. So, one of my 2009 goals is to slowly bring order and organization back into my personal life.
I have receipts, warranties, insurance documents, copies of bills, and a host of other bits of paper that all desperately need a good home or a toss in the circular file. Instead of rushing in and just tossing everything in a massive purge, I need a little guidance on what records and documents to keep readily available, which things to store, and what things it is safe to toss. “Preparing Your Household Records” is a great article with some helpful tips. It is especially important to get things in order with tax season coming up. Consumeraction.gov also has some great guidance on what consumer documentation should be kept and organized.
They say confession is good for the soul. One of my little secrets is that my husband and I were irresponsible and never got copies of our marriage certificate. We assume the justice of the peace who married us filed for it, but who knows. So, it is time to figure out how to get copies of that. “Where to Write for Vital Records” is a good place to start. This site tells you how to obtain marriage, life/death, or divorce certificates, and the good news is that most of these documents can be ordered online.
I am sure I am not the only person out there who needs to get a grip on the clutter. If you happen to be an organizationista (hmm, did I just make up a new word?) and have some suggestions or useful tips, drop me a line. And if anyone spots a toucan with a stapler, I think it is mine.