How do you stay organized?
 

With my increasing brain fog (probably from perimenopause...I'm 43), I'm ever more reliant on lists/post-its. I've always been a major list maker, but lately it's driving me a little batty.

For example, I'll have 3-4 different post-its and then they get too long, so then I have to split them into categories and later I have to rewrite them bc I have too much to add to them. It makes me feel so scattered.

I don't want anything electronic/digital/computer based, bc I need to carry it w/ me...but I don't want a huge daytimer either.

Does anyone have an effective way of organizing, esp w/ a major brain fog/memory farting?

I'm a big list maker. Sometimes I do have a problem when I go to the store and forget to take the list:D. My best friend called last night and told me she went to the vet......and forgot to take the dog!!!!! She had to go back home to get her! We laughed so hard about that!

oh my that is funny :D

:lol tears

I needed the chuckle! Thanks.

I'm right there with you...I can't remember anything anymore--menopausal myself.

I have been doing the old rubber band on the finger to remind myself that I have something I need to remember...and I have a little notebook that I swear by. Everything gets written, no such thing as too little a thing to remember.

With 4 children running me in a hundred different directions. When they were small, I had a desk blotter calander on the side of my refridgerater. I called it my bible. I did nothing unless I looked at that first. The boxes are nice and big to write their activities in. Each kid was color coordinated. I would write their name and where they had to be then I would highlight it with a highliter. Each kid was a different color. I had a small magnetic white board on the front of my refridgerater. Each night after dinner I would transfer the next days activities. Who needed to be where and when, onto the white board. My kids are big now but I still have that calander and whiteboard on my fridge. I don't have as many places to be now because the 2 oldest are driving, but the babies have stuff. I write on the 1st of every month that they get their heartworm meds. My youngest has orthodontist appts and stuff like that. It's nice because each year I save the calander. I have them since my oldest now 21 was born. It's kind of nice to look at the calander now and see what they did when they were little. Often times there was no time to write cute little stuff in a journal so I would just write it on the calander. Like when their tooth came out, rolled over, crawled, haircuts. Birthday parties..stuff like that. Boy did that calander keep me sane!! (somewhat):rolleyes:
I would never know where I need to be without that calander.

I have a small day planner that I carry with me all the time in my bag.

I also make to do lists each night for the things I need to get done the next day and then check them off as I go.

I started the habit in College to keep track of things and have never gotten away from it.

Organized??? Really?? :lol tearsThat's a good one LOL!!!!

I say just get a bigger post it! Seems silly, but if post-its have been working for you why not just buy the larger size?

I like the dry-erase board suggestion as well.

Also, another thought, does your cell have a task or to-do list section in the organizer? Its something we tend to always have on us so it wouldn't be extra bulk. Maybe recording a to-do list or typing one out on it would be helpful on the go?

Here a note, there a note everywhere a note note note. Where did I put the note? I can't remember......

I like organizers -- I have several. They are not without problems, though...

1) you actually have to write stuff in them

2) you then have to read what you write in them BEFORE it happens

3) you have to remember where the organizer is and which one you used


My most important notes are written on the palm of my hand 'cause that is the only notepad that I haven't lost. I hesitate to post this 'cause I don't want to tempt fate.

You said that you dont want eletronic but here is how I get it done.
I have Several lists on my computer ( I do BIG shopping once a month). This is what the headings are "Meals Monthly" this is dinners only,Grocerys,Sams, Monthly (this has petstore,fabric store,Ulta,Target). During the day I write on a piece of computer paper the things that I remember need to go on each of these lists. While the news is on I transfer these things to the computer. Then I create a to do list for the next day,in the order of stops. As the day goes on I write down notes on that piece of paper (you have front and back) and then back to the computer that evening. I have 6,homeschooled children and 6 dogs. Three of my children are now grown and moved out,but I still use this method. It seems to work for me. Sometimes I have to transfer my notes and make my list in the morning while having coffee. This is the ONLY way I can get stuff done.

How do I stay what?

No good suggestions for you Ann. Just wanted to say I relate. :D

Personally, I have to be overly organized because I am overly forgetful. I just use a big yellow pad and carry it with me everywhere with pages of lists. It does help.

Oh boy, forgetfulness- this is something that I can relate too. I have a post it gadget on my laptop for at home. As for something portable I use the memo feature on my Blackberry, this way I always have it with me. That is of course unless I forget my phone.....

LOL! Some of these answers are so funny! Forgetting the dog at home though is the hands-down winner.

I think I may need to cave and get something bigger than my tiny calendar (where I stick all my bajillion post-its).

I just can't do electronic/digital like many of you, it makes me feel less organized some how...maybe bc I can't see everything at once, like I can w/ paper. I'm not a good text enter-er on a phone either.