Get Organized Day 15 | My New Workspace

Well, maybe not this work space because before these 30 Days to Get Organized, the space was ugly. The drawers were lined with stained parchment paper and the desk top was blue velvet. Honest. Ugly. And so I used the space as a paper dump. I threw papers here when I didn’t want to take them upstairs. And I fit what I could into the drawers when I didn’t know where else to put it. I made the space unusable, but really, blue velvet?

I do have a wonderful office space with a great desk, but I never use it. Why? Well, the desk is above our detached garage across the yard and up some steps. And because it’s disconnected from the house, I’m not really able to work there until after the kids are in bed or Jason’s home. I’ve tried to steal away at nap time, but it’s Murphy’s Law that as soon as I sit down at my desk and open my laptop, I hear the kids wake up on the monitor, and I’m needed back inside.

So I cleaned out my great-great grandmother’s secretary. Pulled out about a mile of paperwork that can be shredded or filed. And pulled off the blue velvet. I found this fun material that is red and alligator-ish, and I started cutting. I lined the drawers and shelves. And I covered and glued down the desktop. And then I put back in what I need: my address book, notebooks with camera and blog notes, pens, my camera cables, some stationery, my new accordion file, and checkbooks. And a few touches that I love: a candle, some seashells, a statue we bought on our honeymoon, and a small book of photographs.

I feel like this is the first step to organizing my time just a bit. Because it’s inside, I can work here or pay bills when the kids are sleeping or busy with toys or movies. I can keep the important things that I need. And I always work better sitting at a desk, so I’ll be more efficient, which is one benefit to being organized.