Are You an Innie or an Outie?

dear disorganized friends, 

please don't be offended. maybe this doesn't describe you at all... perhaps i'm just writing a letter to myself.


since the new year, i've had this goal of organizing my home. if you saw it, you just might throw up. sometimes I feel like doing it. i start the process of organizing and rearranging my home, and every time i stop short simply because i get so overwhelmed... but today, I HAVE HOPE.


this morning i went to the library to look at magazines and to pick up a couple of books on cd.  i recently decided to go to the library once a week or every other week to look at magazines because 1) i don't have the money to purchase multiple subscriptions and **the biggest reason of all** 2) i don't need additional clutter in my house... piles and piles of magazines. if i really like an image in the magazine, i'll just take a picture of it with my camera phone.  if i really like a recipe, i'll splurge the .15 cents to make a photocopy of it.


well today i was flipping through this month's issue of Shop Smart and an article TOTALLY spoke to me. the article was about organizing tips for the innie or outie... no, not bellybuttons, organizational styles.  


(taken from the article)
if you're an innie:

• you like to hide things away in a drawer, container, or closet
• your priority is to have a calm and serene visual slate

innie organization tips:

• use closed containers in a single hue or pattern
• opt for containers that maximize space, but have a slot for a label 
• use folders grouped in a single color
• use modular drawer systems and stacking racks inside a closet
• utilize shelf dividers 
• use transparent or open containers to tuck inside a closet or drawer (acrylic trays, hanging shoe bags with clear pockets, shoe boxes with clear windows, hanging sweater sorters)

 if you're an outie:

• you like to keep things out in the open to see and within reach
• you worry that you'll forget something if it's not in plain sight
• often times they have piles and their bulletin boards are covered with papers and photos

outie organization tips:

• use organizing tools that provide an instant view of what's inside 
• use decorative folders and file boxes in colors and patterns that suit your space and taste
• use transparent or open containers (bowls, desk sorters, paper trays, see-through storage boxes, plastic zipper bags)
• utilize wall-mounted organizers to take advantage of vertical space (standing shoe racks, shelves, hooks, peg racks, hanging files)

a lot of people are probably a combination of the two, but lean more one way or the other.


i'm TOTALLY an outie.  and that description about piles around the house?? ummmm yeah. i have a gazillion of those. it's horrible.  but somehow after reading that article, i feel relieved because i have a better understanding of myself.  and today i've been making some changes around my house to accommodate that.


here are some images from the article.  all the images on the left are outies and all the images on the right are innies.... which one are you?