.Brain overload gone mad | Organizing your projects.

We all have things we want tidy up. I act as if I’m pregnant 12 months out of the year because I want to NEST all the time. If I am bored, I get this huge wave of energy, summon my husband and start a project of cleaning. Didn’t we just clean this yesterday he will ask me? I will hug him and say, ‘oh babe, you’re so funny’ hoping he doesn’t remember that we thought we were done yesterday but now my brain wants us to do more. Sometimes I can’t relax and enjoy myself because I have 100 things running through my brain. It’s like brain overload gone mad! If you are like me, and want some tips on how to get over this obsession but still get your projects done then keep reading. I will share quick, easy steps to help make this possible.

1. Write down all the things you want to do around your house: the order does not matter, just get it out of your head and onto some paper. I usually sit on the couch and do my initial list and then walk through the house with my list in hand and go from room to room to add/remove projects.
2. Count the items on your list and group them by room. Living room, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. Under each of these rooms write down what you want to accomplish in that room this year. Do not choose stuff you want to do in 5 years because that is WAY overwhelming and you may change your mind them. Only focus on what you can do this year. 
3. Prioritize your needs/wants by category.  (You may want to also look at this in accordance to your budget) Do you prefer to complete all living room projects  before you tackle the bedroom then number them in the order you wish to accomplish them? I prefer to work on one room at a time. This isn’t always the case, but I find if you don’t do it this way- then you end up doing little things all around your house and never have a completed room. 
4. Now prioritize the order of your “mini” projects within your big project (the room). So the first thing I want to do in the living room is find new throw pillows, then get carpet quotes and possibly get new carpet. 
5. Make a list of the items you will need for your projects. I do this by room. This helps you get a better handle on what you can fit into your budget in step #6. 
6. Set a timeframe for each room to be complete.  January & February = Living room projects in the order you categorized them. March & April = Kitchen projects, and so on! 
7. Set a budget for each room in accordance to your finances and the projects you want to complete for that room.  I set a $50 budget per room, unless we have a major renovation such as carpet, drywalling, new furniture, etc. Sometimes, I only spend $10.00 others way more just depends on what we want to work with and what we need to improve. 
8. Take a before picture of your projects and start working your way through your list! 
9. Take a completed project picture as well- it will make you feel so accomplished. 
10. Finally, cross that item off your list because nothing is complete if it doesn’t have a line through it.