Matilda - I'm not a naturally organized person either. But I have picked up a few helpful tips over the years.
The most important thing is, having a place for things. I have a file cabinet now with well-marked files. One book I read INSISTED on getting a label-maker to label the files. Seemed superfluous at the time, but that guy was absolutely right - having them so clearly marked makes it ten times easier to find the right file.
Now, when I need the passports, I go to the passport file. Car insurance? Insurance file. American Express bills to find business expenses for our taxes? All the last year's statements in the American Express file. I'm even better organized than my husband sometimes!
Of course, if you're like me, you've probably made some such systems before, and had them disintegrate over time. I think the keys are: - a well-marked and not-overcrowded space for each item - a commitment to periodically filing and clearing. (I file my statements after I pay the monthly bills; after I finish our taxes I remove that year's statements from the filing cabinet).
As for those piles of papers - I'll admit, I've got a pile in the corner of my bedroom that happened just the same way. I wasn't done with some paperwork, and people were coming over, so I piled it in our bedroom - and haven't gotten it finished yet. It's on my list for this week, though, and I plan to have it done before H returns from his business trip.
Take things one bite at a time the flylady way, or recruit a good friend to help you have a marathon to get you going. It takes time to build those habits that help you maintain, Flylady is good for that.
