Doris Puls

What do you do when you are looking for something and can’t find it? Some people give up and change directions, knowing it is somewhere in their house but they don’t let it bother them if they can’t find things. Some, like me, search the house until I find it. I have to say I can find most things in under a minute. When my sons were growing up I could find almost anything they misplaced by asking a few questions like “When was the last time you had it? Where were you using it?”

After organizing a son’s basement for seven hours with him recently, I went back for a visit and he said he couldn’t find a certain small can of paint. He spent a lot of time searching already and I told him I could find it. Within five minutes of being in his basement, I picked up a mat and there it was, much to his surprise and joy!

Some people, if they can’t find things, go out and buy more. This son was just about ready to go back to the store and buy another can of paint. Then he would have two partially used cans with no use. With our busy lifestyles, it is sometimes easier to buy new rather than hunt for the old. What comes as a surprise is when everything is finally organized and you realize how many extra scissors, tools, craft items, etc. you have accumulated.

According to one survey I found, it is estimated that we spend two-and-a-half days a year looking for lost items. Another survey said we lose up to nine items each day. That’s a lot of time wasted in searching for lost items.

What do you do when you misplace an item? Do you spend sometimes hours looking for it? Do you give up after a few minutes and do without? Do you go out and buy it even though you know you have it? Do you borrow it? Sometimes it depends on how valuable and important the object is. Some things you can substitute something else for it. But wouldn’t it be great if you could find everything you are looking for?

One important “lifesaving” thing to do is to label all of your storage boxes. You may think you know what is in each one, but life goes on and you may end up having to go through numerous boxes to find what you are looking for. Since keys, wallets, and sunglasses are common objects we use but that get misplaced in our homes, setting up a designated space by the door you enter from outside to drop these objects would save time when you’re going out.

For kids, having a basket they can drop their school papers, library books, and other “treasures” in keeps them organized. Having their backpacks in a designated place so they are ready in the morning to go out the door would make mornings easier for everyone. Having their toys organized with like things in each container makes kids play with their toys much more. If they have to search for parts, they will lose interest before they even start to play with them. That goes for adults as well. Store like things together whether in closets or storage boxes.

There are a lot of ways to be organized. Open your closets and drawers. You will know what I mean, whether good or bad.

Save time. Save money. Be organized.

Doris Puls, of D&O Decluttering and Organizing, is a professional organizer whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of the people she works with in homes and businesses. Contact her at organizealpena@gmail.com or at 989-356-9545.