the virgo in me

As you know, I am a visual artist. I create paintings and art installations in abstract, vibrant and contemporary ways. the word abstract is one of the key components of how I design and build all of my artwork. I find a balance in asymmetry of shapes, colors and textures.

Yet, I love an organized, linear, and streamlined studio containing all of the supplies that I use to make my art! This past year I discovered that I am virgo rising (Aries sun if you are wondering :) and realized that my abstract, non-linear way of making art is balanced with my desire to keep things tidy, organized and in cute containers. So this is why I created this infographic for organizing stuff. My stuff and your stuff specifically. If you think anything like me, you may love to have your hands working many different projects at time. Also you are probably inspired to focus on creating when your space is clear of clutter. Enter “A Formula To Organize Your Stuff” by me!

Seem doable? Tell me what you think in the comments below!

Here is a little more explanation for each step in the process of organizing your stuff.

PAST

File Away: These are the items you will want to keep indefinitely, perhaps until you try this exercise again or maybe forever. It will be nice to have a more permanent place to put these things such as a filing cabinet or labeled box.

Let Go Away: Maybe that great idea you have been holding onto could be passed onto someone else that has the time and energy for it now, rather than holding onto it thinking one day you’ll use it. This action could clear the way energetically and physically for something that is important to you in this moment. Or, you know that book you’ve had on your shelf for ages and haven’t read? Might be time to donate that one.

Here 2 Stay: Those items that make your heart go “ding” and you cannot get out of your mind, those are the ones you want to move to your PRESENT pile.

PRESENT

In This Moment: This pile will contain all of the things that are happening right now for you. current dreams you are developing, the collaborations you are working on, current projects, applicable to do lists, the book you are reading, recipes you want to use this week, your current passions and purposes, etc. These items need to be front and center. For example, the book you want to start needs to be on your nightstand or wherever you are likely to feel comfortable reading. The materials you need to start painting again are going to have to have a place where you can see and use them to paint, not on the back of a shelf in a cabinet out of sight. What I am saying is give the spotlight to those materials, concepts, plans, etc that are important to you right now. You will be more likely to use and interact with them!

(I myself have three “in this moment” piles on my desk that are constantly here and constantly changing. The sub-categories are generally Calendar & To Dos, What I’m Learning Lately, What I Want to Share)

Important Later: You have this fantastic inkling to create a painting, a fundraiser, a garden, a food truck, a musical group, a a bridge from New York to London (you get it!), and you don’t have enough room on your plate for it right now. Thats OK because this is a special place where your ideas will incubate until you are in alignment with cultivating them.

File Away: On one hand: you may have and action item that has been looming. So take this time to complete the action. Or, if it is a large task at hand, take this time to make one step towards completing this action item. This action item may need to stay in your “in this moment” pile for a while longer until you have taken all of the steps to complete it. Cheers to going at your own pace! On the other hand: you may have completed some things or could file away some stuff that is continuing to take up space in your present moment that you want to keep but don’t need in front of you to feel balanced or complete. And this way you will have more room for current concepts to unfold.

FUTURE

Move Into This Moment: What have you been putting off that deserves attention now? What gifts are you hesitant to share with the world but know that they will do good? Bring these into your present focus, your “in this moment” space.

Pass to the Next Person: Again, like with the PAST pile, use your intuition to know what it is you could pass along to someone you know could or wants to use it now. Maybe that sweater wants to warm another body? Perhaps you have been hoarding a fabulous idea for a solution to a problem that you do not have the resources or time to put into, but one of your cohorts does. Its OK to let go of that idea so that it can come to life through someone else. And, You will be more able to put your focus onto your present moment and passions (!) once you entrust the next person with your idea.

Plant Seeds: You desire to collaborate, you want to connect, you are brimming with theories and plans and concepts for something really cool. This thing, whatever it is, is part of your passion and you are not willing to give it up. Its part of why you are here on this earth. But you don’t quite have the space in your daily life to take this stuff on. You think about it all the time, maybe even feel guilty about not acting on it because you know its that special and important to share. Not to worry. First, give yourself some credit because you are already doing enough. Then plant seeds. Collect the names and contact info of folks you want to connect collaborate with, jot down some notes, do some quick research online, create a folder, a file, or a box where you can honor these future ideas that are worthy of cultivation. Keep this vessel of seeds nearby and in view. Add to it when you have aha moments. Bring items into the PRESENT when you have ample time and space to fertilize these precious seedlings.