Believe it or not, we all misplace our keys at one time or another. Whether we get distracted by a phone call as we’re coming through the door or we simply haven’t developed the habit of putting them in the same place each time, or perhaps our child has run off with them.
You know the panic that sets in when you can’t find that missing piece of paperwork or a permission slip for a child’s field trip and it was due yesterday? Immediately, we begin to berate ourselves, which increases our heart rate, then we conjure up all the consequences of not finding the lost item.
Each year, Americans waste more than 9 million hours a day (hard to believe, huh?!) searching for lost items. In my house, we recently went through the panic of my daughter misplacing her latest Webkin aquisition log-in code. After spending a few minutes diffusing the panic including crying and stomping feet, we retraced her steps. Unfortunately, we still haven’t found it, but at least she’s learned to give “important items” a home and make sure they get there.
Take it from one who once completely resisted routine. Although organized, I like change and spontaneity. Doing the same thing over and over again used to flat out annoy me (I’m also a Gemini, so that’s probably part of it), but after becoming a mom, I quickly realized that it was routine that would save my sanity–and it has!
So, to avoid losing your keys, set up a place where you “house” your purse, keys, cell phones, etc. Perhaps in a kitchen cabinet drawer or pull-out. Maybe a key rack next to the phone in the kitchen. Put them there when you arrive home and when you need them, you’ll know exactly where they are. It will probably take a couple of weeks to adjust to this routine, but it will benefit you immensely because you will no longer need to ask yourself, “where are my keys?” because you’ll know!
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My husband will be searching for his keys, wallet and/or ipod whilst going out the door. Literally every single morning! Often times, I hear his key jingling, having come back into the house realizing he didn’t have his wallet etc.
Last week, I emptied out a plastic bin for my makeup brushes… viola! A place for everything and everything in its place. Now, if we could only organized the rest of my home. Love your blogs Stacey!
As a very guilty key loser, I truly appreciate these comments. We are in the midst of a home renovation and with everything underwraps lost keys are sending me over the edge. Thanks to reading your ideas Stacey, I am keeping the eye on the prize and know exactly which drawer in our new island I am going to call my own!!
Last winter, I installed those 3M removable hooks on the back of the front door for Christmas stockings. When I took the stockings down, it occurred to me that they would be perfect for keeping my keys by the door. I’m happy to report that I haven’t lost them since (at least in the house LOL!)