Read my advice to a "Distressed and Disorganized Teen" who emailed me last month: (Funny, I don't generally run an advice column but it was submitted to me just as you see it!)

Hello, I was doing a search on ways to help me get organized and I came across your email. Anyway I am 14 years old and I am very unorganized. The funny thing is though, I am obsessed with planning organizational strategies. The only thing is when I go to do it I feel overwhelmed. Let's take my room for example, I will spend about 15 to 30 minutes making a good organizational plan (if I do say so myself) but when I go to clean my room I dawdle and end up cramming stuff anywhere it fits. I try to keep it clean once it is really 100% clean (with no crammed stuff anywhere) but after a while it just gets out of control. Any tips that can help me? I really need the help because I am only in the 8th grade but I am in Algebra 1 and I need my desk, no wait my whole room, clean for studying. Please help.

"Distressed and Disorganized Teen"
Raleigh, NC


Hello "Distressed and Disorganized Teen,"
You sound like a really smart and savvy teen with good intentions to keep your room clean and organized. I don't know many other people any age who spend time making an organizational plan before they start trying to get organized, so consider yourself one step ahead. Here's what I suggest you try:

1. Start by organizing just one area at a time, and have that be your only goal. Since you mentioned studying, I think your desk would be the best place to start.
2. Think about all the things you need to have at your desk to do your homework (like pens, paper, ruler, stapler, markers, etc.). Make a list of those things. You can include items you need for other activities you might do at your desk, like art.
3. Next take everything out of your desk drawers and off your desk. Start by sorting the things into categories (blank paper, school papers, school supplies, art supplies). Are there lots of things in or at your desk that don't need to be there? (like a walkman, playing cards, toys, games, anything that you don't use at your desk). Find those things another home or better yet, put them in a box or bag temporarily while you focus on your desk.
4. Once you have everything you need for your desk, then this is the time to ask yourself if everything has a place to go, a "home". Do you have enough drawer space to put everything away neatly? If not, consider getting some drawers to put under your desk, or have your parents help you put up shelves above your desk. Also, don't just throw everything in the drawers, markers should be in a small box or clear plastic bag. Same with pens and pencils, erasers, etc. Every category of thing should have it's own container, or consider getting a drawer organizer for all the little things. Also, each drawer should have a category that you can name before even opening it up (like blank paper/notepads, art supplies, etc.)
5. You also need room for school books and notebooks, so make sure you have some shelving near your desk for that stuff, or if you have a large desk, you can keep the books you use for school (only this semester!) at the back of your desk against the wall, held up by bookends.
6. Bulletin boards are great for random papers, reminders of things you need to do, invitations to parties, photos of friends. Considering getting one to put above or to the side of your desk. But make sure you take things off of your bulletin board when they become outdated.
7. Also, a bigger question is: Is your desk in the best place in your room? Is it too close to your bed? If there is any way to separate it so it is it's own area, and away from distractions, that is best.
8. You can use the same process for every area in your room. Next try your clothes. Go through everything and take out clothes you don't like, don't fit you or have stains and put them in a bag to donate to charity. Every drawer for clothes should have a category (t-shirts, shorts, socks, etc.) Also your clothes that you have on hangers should be grouped with similar types of clothes (pants, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, jackets, etc.) Color coding looks nice, but usually you need to find a certain article of clothing (based on the weather, type of event you are going to) before you need to find a specific color.
9. Really try to let go of anything you don't use anymore in your room. Lots of times teens have toys and books from when they were little kids, and unless they are really special to you or your parents, give them away. There are lots of kids out there who will really appreciate them.
10. Don't forget to give your room some of your own style! Fill it with stuff you love. That will help ensure that you want to spend time there and keep it neat.

So those are my ten steps for you. I think this might be helpful for other teens. Do you mind if I post your question on my website?

Be sure to let me know how it works!

Sincerely,
Nicole