So when Ana first approached me about the Clutterbug organization methods, I had no idea what I’d be. But after taking the quiz and watching the video I’m firmly in the camp of Butterfly.
According to Clutterbug:
[Butterflies] Love visual abundance and organizational simplicity. You are a really visual person and for you, it’s out-of-sight, out-of-mind. You need visual, but fast and easy systems, like clear or wire bins and baskets and lots of hooks.
This is sort of me to a T. I think I’ve written multiple times about my love for desktop planners. I’m currently using my Year of the Optimist planner, but I also love the Desk Calendar Weekly Planners from Ruff House Art. I need a visual look at the whole week ahead, and the ability to add things easily to individual days. In general, I just make a big long list of my to-dos for each day, but I can check them off as I go and transfer them to the next day (a la bullet journaling) if necessary. While I’ve tried a variety of planners over time, these work best for me.
I also definitely need my tools on my desk and in my line of sight to be able to function. Hence why I have overflowing pen cups with fountain pens, fine liners and gel pens all on my desk. My camera always stays on my desk in case I need to grab a few quick shots for personal use, or for work.
And clear bins! I have those a plenty to store my yarn and fiber collection and still be able to see what’s in those boxes (it doesn’t always stop me from forgetting what I own). I also have several collapsible fabric bins that hold groupings of items (check out what’s coming up for reviews on The Desk!)
I do have a bit of a clutter problem, and strive to keep things more organized, but sometimes I just can’t put a frequently used tool away – I might not remember where I put it and then I’ll need it!
I was pleased to see that lots of the tips that are recommended to help keep butterflies organized are already things I’m doing: visual lists in easy to find places, grouping items together in “buckets”… now all I need to do is wage war on my office/craft room and get it tidied!
Mugs, see thru bins, and fabric bins are all awesome for decluttering. Cheap lightweight shelves for closets are the next step to get everything out of the way. That and under a coffee table…
I found the original post very intriguing and took the test – butterfly all the way. AS for your response, total with ya. Clear plastic bins, cups of pencils and pens, racks for the fountain pens and stacks of books for research take up 50% of my desk. The crafting room I have the coolest design in mind if only the Feds will process my tax return….
Reading this post was like reading my own diary entry. Butterflies, unite!
I came out on the quiz as a bee, but reading this post makes me think I’m just as much a butterfly! I use a week-at-a-glance format, see-through bins, and writing utensils stored in cups! Hmmm… I better go learn more about all these bugs…!
I’m sure there are hybrids! Take what you want from all the bugs and use what works.
I came out as a butterfly, but I’m not really 100% in line with it. I like to be able to enjoy the things I own and I can’t do that if they are in a drawer or a cupboard. The “out of sight, out of mind” part really resonates with me. However, if something has a set place that makes sense to me I have no problem putting it away after I’ve used it and I appreciate clear surfaces when I achieve them.
I WISH I could have clear surfaces everywhere, because I do like them. And I grew up in a home where that was the norm. But I’ve also made peace with the fact that I’ll never get there 100%.
Thank you so much for your post!! Your description of what you need as a visual person is EXACTLY what I need. My office is cluttered right now, because if I put something away, I tend to forget about it. I appreciate your examples of items that help you keep organized and keep clutter to a minimum. By the way, I’m a knitter too with a BIG stash.
Marisa
Great! I’m glad I could help a bit (and yay for yarn!)
Ohhh I see you too are a lover of Wollmeise yarn 🙂
Yes… she just has the BEST dyeing style!
Had to laugh when I read this and saw your preferred storage. I, too, use mugs and the like for holding y most-used pens and pencils etc. And I, too, store most of my yarn stash in clear plastic bins from The Container store. what do you do about UFOs? Mine are currently piled up on my desk and in assorted cheap totes and open baskets. That isn’t really working, although I’m trying to finish at least a few of them. I’m thinking the same clear plastic bins may be the answer.
Had to laugh when I read this and saw your preferred storage. I, too, use mugs and the like for holding y most-used pens and pencils etc. And I, too, store most of my yarn stash in clear plastic bins from The Container store. what do you do about UFOs and WIPs? Mine are currently piled up on my desk and in assorted cheap totes and open baskets. That isn’t really working, although I’m trying to finish at least a few of them. I’m thinking the same clear plastic bins may be the answer.
I’m a Butterfly to the T, too! And that’s OK! After years of people saying things such as “Why do you leave stuff out instead of putting them in the closet or cupboard?” Or, “Why do you have so much STUFF?” Yup, I’m a Butterfly. For me, my planner is the Passion Planner. I love it. It’s 8.5×11″, so it’s a perfect size for me and all the paperwork that seems to follow me on a daily basis. It’s a weekly spread with lots of room for To Dos, and it’s separated by Work and Personal To Dos. It had a big space for “dreaming” or a Brain Dump, which my ADD mind loves. It also helps me to see the whole week at a glance, plus it has a two-page monthly spread. It’s got a nice ribbon marker and you can purchase tabs to adhere to the monthly pages. The only thing I wish it had is a pen holder or two. But that’s Ok, I have a very cool gadget that holds a pad of sticky notes, a whiteout tape dispenser and 3 divided sections for pens, etc., which are perfect for highlighters, s pair of scissors, black ink pens and colored Flair pens. I use the colored Flair pens to code different activities or chores on the different days of the week. Each day has an appointment schedule from 6am to 11pm, which works for me. And another bonus is the paper. I don’t know the weight, but it’s just right for me and my Sharpie ink pens or my Pilot pens, and they don’t bleed through. Since I’m not working right now, it’s easy to leave my planner and pens on the dining room table (my Command Center). If I were working, it would still be easy to take in a tote bag with a cute pencil/pen pouch. I used to be a faithful Classic size Franklin-Covey Planner girl, and always wanted to move to a Monarch (8.5×11) size. But I found that the layouts and design collections in the Monarch size were really limited and boring. Then, I haphazardly discovered the Passion Planner and I do have to say, I really like it! I’ve ordered it twice now. And a big bonus– every planner you purchase, the company will donate a planner to someone in need. It’s a win-win. Oh, and I use lots and lots of old coffee mugs (that I can’t get rid of for some neurotic reason) and containers, like empty candle jars or Mason jars that I found at garage sales for all my watercolor brushes and sketching pencils. And clear bins for EVERYTHING in my art room. IKEA and I have a love affair; it seems like their stuff just works for me, even if my minimalist friends think I have “too much stuff on display and laying around.” At least I won’t forget I have stuff if I see it. And yes, I LIKE my stuff out…because they’re all friends of mine!! Why hide them away?! And thanks for your post. Glad to know I’m not the only Butterfly out there! #butterflies4ever