The 12 Step Program for the Surface Abuser
I love this desk, family work center. But what a desk CAN look like
The 12 Step Program for the Surface Abuser.
1) Admit that you have a problem.
2) Ask for help with your Surface Abuse problem. (Professional organizers are everywhere!)
3) Remove ALL surfaces in your home. (Only kidding!)
4) Realize that this will take on going maintenance to maintain.
5) Visualize what you would LIKE this space to look like.
6) Start the process with one surface.
7) Get a black trash bag for trash and a White trash bag for donate.
8) Begin the Sorting process. Clear everything off your counter and clean it first.
9) Realize that clearing your counter will lead to some organizing in other areas of your house. (this is a Good thing)
10) Decide what to do with all the papers and clutter.
11) Plan daily to clear off anything that might have accumulated in this “hot spot” zone and place it in the folders or cubbies you created.
12) Be sure to take before and after pictures so help remind yourself how you want to keep your new clear counter.
Disclosure: The above picture is not from my home (I WISH!) It was from a Parade of Homes model that boasted like the best family organizing center ever!! But you can find these products at The Pottery Barn.
Surface Abuser
Does your counter look like this?
You May be a Surface Abuser if:
1) You think if there is an empty spot on a counter in the kitchen…then you have “more room to put things”
2) You think table tops and counters look “naked” if there is nothing on them.
3) You haven’t been able to wipe down your counter for weeks because of all of the “stuff”
4) You found a dead fish from 6 months ago under some papers on the counter. You thought the other fish ate it. (true story but not this pic)
5) You don’t have to worry about dust on your living room end tables because there is no wood showing.
6) You find expired coupons sitting on counter tops.
7) You know exactly where that lid to the super glue is…and no one better move it out from under the newspaper from 6 weeks ago.
8) You may have left an egg on the counter in the kitchen….but your not sure, it blends in with all the papers so well.
9) You have to clear the papers at the table in order to have room to eat dinner at night. Then you move them back after dinner
10) Other people call you messy, but you feel proud to have been given the title “Surface Abuser” instead. Nikki from The Guilty Parent was my inspiration for #10! Although she is also very visual (which many surface abusers are…so I called her a “Visual Surface Abuser”.
If you were able to answer “yes” to 1 or more of these questions /statements…then you are probably a Surface Abuser. There is help for you out there….stay tuned for treatment plans.
