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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / {re-working an old organization idea // finding inspiration from A Beautiful Mess.}

{re-working an old organization idea // finding inspiration from A Beautiful Mess.}

January 18, 2012 · 19 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

over a year ago i wrote this post, sharing how i stay more organized. the longer i blog and develop my own style {and how new ideas are formed} the more i realized i’m not even using this folder anymore. in fact, i had moved on to 2 other ways of idea-keeping, and i wasn’t using those EITHER!

then i read elsie’s post on organizing inspiration and *click* the bulb went on. my macbook is constantly scattered with post-its, as is my desk and wallet. they’re everywhere and seem to be the best way for me to track my ideas. i’m super excited to implement a few tips from elsie with what i already have been doing to create my own {better than ever!} idea book. yeow! i love that elsie uses sticky notes to track her ideas {cuz yup, i do that too}… i’m constantly nodding in agreement as i read her blog ~ seems like we have similar thought patterns ~ which makes me think that perhaps THIS will be the answer to my organized ways. i’m going to add a few more things to my book and i’ll share it here soon!

i was so excited about re-working this old idea that i started working on it last night ♥. and then i thought, some times the best way to stay organized and on top of things is to take a break from the norm and get started right away.

one reason why my original Gussy folder didn’t work was because i didn’t try hard enough. i also was using a method that didn’t go with the flow. instead of using this folder i found myself going back to my old ways {which weren’t even helpful!}. a beautiful mess is one of my favorite blogs ~ i’ve combined one of elsie’s recent posts with a recent conversation with the Nester and viola! i think i’ve figured it out ;]

PS. tomorrow starts the Inspiration Workshop! — the prompt is bedrooms. see you then?!

SHARE WITH US: do you feel organized with the ideas you produce? what are some of your favorite blogging tips? who inspires you?

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19 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    January 18, 2012 at 6:22 am

    I have to keep my ideas organized or else I truly don’t feel productive. I like knowing where I stand with all of my ideas and the progress I’m making as I go along.

    Also, I’ve learned that when I have an idea for something new and the momentum to go with it? I NEED to. I need to go with the new flow and just take a break from what I’ve been doing to go with the new one for a while. It helps keep me inspired and ready to work.

    Reply
    • Skye @ Neathering Our Fest says

      January 18, 2012 at 7:46 am

      I love being able to track my progress along the way. Seeing myself go from first writing it down to finally checking it off the list is such a huge pat on my own back and really boosts my confidence!!

      Reply
  2. Skye @ Neathering Our Fest says

    January 18, 2012 at 7:44 am

    Elsie has such a beautiful blog and I’m glad I stumbled across it! I have always read that the absolute key to getting + staying organized is to use a system that works for you! Just because a book or bulletin board works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. Post it note it UP girl!! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 18, 2012 at 10:02 am

      GIRL — you know i will! ;D

      Reply
  3. katie b says

    January 18, 2012 at 9:03 am

    I must start writing stuff down!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 18, 2012 at 10:03 am

      oh my goodness Y E S! yes yes. even if you don’t track it in a book, writing it down often seals the thought forever. otherwise i forget. doh!

      Reply
  4. Stefanie says

    January 18, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Oh my goodness! I just read Signature Styles and recognized Elsie from the book! She really stuck out to me when I was reading, she’s adorable!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 18, 2012 at 10:03 am

      what is that???? :}

      Reply
      • Stefanie says

        January 18, 2012 at 1:03 pm

        Super cute book, I bet you’d love it! Heather Bailey is in there too :-) LoVe LoVe Love her!!http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Styles-Stitchers-Craft-Their/dp/1600597912

        Reply
        • Gussy Sews says

          January 18, 2012 at 2:21 pm

          oh i just love her style! thanks for the link! :]

          Reply
  5. Lucy Jane says

    January 18, 2012 at 9:54 am

    I use the post-it note idea but have a picture frame above my work space to keep them all. That way, as I’m working, I can glance over them daily. I placed a piece of fabric where you would normally put a picture. I feel like this gives them a place without cluttering my other work spaces.

    I feel like as life has gotten more “busy” the more I need to write stuff down. (or maybe it is just part of getting older…haha)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 18, 2012 at 10:04 am

      no, it’s not a part of getting older because i’m 26 and that’s not old ;D

      and that is SUCH a cute idea with the picture frame!!!! love that!

      Reply
  6. Gina_AcuteDesigns says

    January 18, 2012 at 10:17 am

    Being more organized is one of my main goals for 2012. I always know where everything is (or I can find it if need be) but I waste so much time and energy in the mess!

    Reply
  7. Aileen says

    January 18, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Oh my gosh, the post it post! I actually read that post back when she posted it and last week just started trying to use a similar method. I have a giant cork board in my studio so I just pin up cut pieces of paper under the “To Do” section and when I’m done, I move them to the right under the “DONE!” section. We’ll see if I can stick to it.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 18, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      YES!!!!

      i also love the idea of having a little book/journal to carry with me at all times, especially when we drive home to michigan — some of my best ideas come from sitting in the car with my hubby :) so having it be travel-friendly is a must!

      thanks for your comment ;)

      Reply
      • Aileen says

        January 18, 2012 at 5:12 pm

        The book/journal idea is great! My problem is I have like 4 spiral notebooks floating around in purses and different rooms of the house so I write stuff down in so many different places. I need to consolidate. A lot.

        I also just want to say your blog is great! I’ve had the entrepreneur bug since I was in high school (I even had a subscription to Entrepreneur magazine, how weird am I?) and your blog has so many great posts of business AND creativity. I love it :)

        Reply
        • Gussy Sews says

          January 18, 2012 at 5:21 pm

          yeah — i’m a creature of doing things the wrong or ridiculous way, so i hear ya on the 4 notebooks floating around… hah! ;D

          and oh my goodness, you’re so sweet! THANK YOU for sharing that!!!!! thank you, thank you!

          Reply
  8. allie o'bannon says

    January 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    yessss! one of my goals for this year is to get (& stay) more organized. it’s not going too well….

    Reply
  9. Open says

    March 18, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    There is a vintage punsichion almost exactly like the crocheted one from your grandmother that is at my mom’s home. My mother is in a nursing home now and as soon as my Dad is ready to part with some of her things, the punsichion will be coming home with me. I feel certain that either my grandmother or my mother’s late sister made this precious item from the history of the women in my family.

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

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Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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