I have photo envy! I admit it. Most people who tackle it on Tuesdays have these gorgeous photos of cupboards, cabinets, drawers, notebooks, etc. that they have neatly arranged in fabulous ways that will change their life. (I can hear myself whining, but I can't stop!)
Me, I am stuck here at my desk, working on jockeying information, which is not something that lends itself well to photographing! Last week, I got my mind clearer, the week before, it was a couple of projects I worked out, and this week...I created a new folder for my files!
What? That doesn't sound like very much, did I hear you say? Well, sometimes a small subtle victory can have a powerful effect.
As many of you may have noticed, I have been spending quite a bit of time contributing organizing columns to other blogs, podcasting for business moms, and writing materials for my professional organizing business here in LA (and beyond by phone). So...short of creating a different folder for each separate site, thereby violating one of my cardinal rules of organizing: [not to mention violating my already-overstuffed file cabinet]
Thou shalt not micromanage thy files.
I had a brainstorm! 
I created a folder called "Contributions" and now, each time I contribute, I can just toss it in there! Voila! (irrelevant coincidence: at least three people in the last week have spelled that word wrong in an email to me).
photo courtesy of paul-yan.com
This makes me happy. If you asked me why, I would have to say it's because there is some sort of satisfaction I get when being able to match a category. That's why people do crossword puzzles and play Sudoku, for just that reason. It feels good to some people's brains to sort and discover patterns. I once had a boss who would play Tetris to calm herself down and to allow her brain to go into creative mode. This is what getting (and staying) organized is all about, creating patterns. In fact, before I moved to L.A. my organizing business was called PatternKeeper Home Office Services!
I once had a delightful sweetheart of a client who could not for the life of him keep his desk clear. I finally realized that he probably had an issue similar to dyslexia, in that his brain misfired when it came to sorting. Once we realized that, he was free from the tyranny of shame and embarrassment that he had carried with him all his life and he was able to seek help from a specialist. In L.A. I would recommend Barbara Schwartz of Equilibrium Healing. She deals with all kinds of neurological issues in adults and children. I have heard about miracles she has witnessed!
So, if you wonder why you just can't ever file, it might be an organic brain issue that can be dealt with, rather than that you are stupid or incompetent. Which is probably what you thought.
ok, it's way past bedtime...
By the way, what do you think of my new header? (Designed by the patient saint Susie over at the incomparable BlueBird Blogs)
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((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Jessica -:¦:-
