I have a girlfriend who has a clean fairy who lives in her head. Whenever my friend goes to pick up something off the floor, or move a pile-that fairy whispers, "Touch it once." If she hesitates because she feels lazy or tired, then the voice screams, "TOUCH IT ONCE!" At that point, my girlfriend's grip is frozen on the object and she is compelled to put it away (or throw it out!)This friend's house is clean. Always. Period. She rarely relocates items to another spot to "eventually" put away. She touches them once and it's done. She's brilliant!
When I grow up, I want to be just like her (or I want her fairy to come and live in my head). 
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19 comments:
Oh, do I need that fairy! I've just spent the last 2 hours relocating stuff and not getting anything accomplished. Touch it once - that's genius!
I need that fairy - where can I get one? Better still - how about a fairy that does the tidying up as well?
Such a simple concept. Why have I never thought of it?
I must remember this one!
WOW! I'm not sure I could follow through with that concept -as simple as it sounds. I get too easily distracted! I could using a cleaning fairy....
I'd squeeze the life out of that fairy if it were in my head :) ha
I am not one of those people and really don't want to be. I DO stack things to deal with later, DO hide things in baskets to deal with later, DO put things on the stairs to be picked up LATER :) And if I'm tired and don't want to deal with it now, that's ok :) And no my house isn't ALWAYS spotless, and that's ok too.
But I am a sane, happy woman. And if I had that fairy in my head, I do not believe I would be.
Such a simple tip that – if used – makes such a huge difference. I know Becca mentioned that it seems kind of like a stressful way to live, but really, how much *more* time does your friend have to enjoy her family and life because she's not moving things 2-3 times? I'm betting a lot!
Becca, You're right this could be taken to excess. What's genius about this friend is that she has a lot of the things that she needs stored nearby. Toys are hidden behind closed hutch doors, diapers in a drawer downstairs, purses hung in the coat closet, ALL FAMILY SHOES hang in the garage on wall organizers for easy storage. AND... she throws a lot away... so, no clutter.
Mandi- Yes, she has time for her family. She is one of the most involved parents I know and spends a LOT of time with her kids. I always feel like she has time to do other things because her house is picked up... FYI for those interested- she has 4.
What good advice! But then I wouldn't expect anything less!
"Touch it once" that is an awesome idea!
I'll take either the fairy, or the voice.:)
Lidy
I'll take that fairy, LOL! It's actually how we try to do things around here. We live in a small house, so it tends to look even more cluttered than it really is if things go awry.
hope I didn't sound like I was criticizing... I just meant it isn't for *me* To each his own is a great way to live :)
Becca- You didn't criticize! You commented on what works for YOU! - and I wouldn't have it any other way! Of course there are people that this doesn't appeal to or work for. Notice how I had to talk about my friend... I clearly couldn't tell everyone that it works great for me because I'd be a Hippopotamus size hypocrite!
My mom had this notion for every part of her house except her office (she was self employed.) She spent many a day looking around for papers, contracts, etc. but she had all her cook books just so. I think everyone needs this fairy...myself included.
Great advice! I have this little fairy myself - sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't. But what I'd really like to know is, where's the little fairy that will just tidy up for me while I relax on the couch?
Oh, I want that fairy!!! She can perch on my shoulder all she wants and I will share her with anyone who wants!
Oh my goodness! I am so NOT that person! I need that fairy in my head! I always take things to the room it belongs in and say I'll put it away later. Then I have to spend forever cleaning rooms cluttered with things I said I'd put away later! I'm going to remember this!
Melissa :D
Melissa, I'm with you! I read somewhere about getting the item in the room that it belongs in so I do that and then have piles everywhere. I really like this touch it once idea. It's odd how something so simple will probably help my home look much better.
I,m cottonreel, I had Laura Ashley toile, blue in my bedroom, also Dorma blue toile bed linen . then I bought some pink Toile bedlinen and moaned a bit about things not matching . I let my friend convince me a plain white bedroom was the answer. I miss that toile wallpaper 100%
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