Let’s talk about quick get organized tips today. Have you ever gone on a massive purging spree and thrown away something you love? Do you do a little bit in different areas but never seem to finish one complete room? Can you never find anything because you have numerous places to store it? If you have done some decluttering and are ready to organize, we have you covered today.
Stats from a now-defunct blog post on sharespace.com:
- Average American credit card debt: $15,185; $7,000 unwanted items
- Estimated $15 billion in unused tech gadgets in junk drawers worldwide! $2,200 per drawer / attic!
- Average woman: 27 pairs of shoes; man: 12. Both have on average 88 articles of clothing each. 25% unworn.
- 85%+ couples say they argue about clutter & disorganization;
- Managing volumes of clutter have been linked to elevated levels of stress.
- 23% of adults say they pay bills late because they lose them
- 80% of clutter is disorganization, not lack of space.
- Almost 40,000 self-storage facilities in the US Demand doubled from 1994 to 2004.
- Crisis purchases could account for 15-20% of household budgets: buying duplicates, last-minute shopping trips, etc.
- US Dept. of Energy: 2 car garage: 25% no car; 32%, one.
- Montgomery Co. MD: forced cleanout can top $25,000; rarely recouped from a hoarder, local agencies foot the bill
I’m talking about the basics of organizing today. This was how I was taught. Most people would credit Julie Morgenstern with the nuts and bolts of how stuff is done and that people learned from. I am not sure if there is anyone else out there. This blog is definitely based on the principles of Julie Morgenstern. I have read lots of books and taken classes and most of what I share is from her teaching as well as adding some of my own thoughts.
I always encourage you to declutter before organizing. I always tell clients never to force you to throw anything out, but encourage them to always try and declutter. Sometimes people don’t want to declutter and just get organized. That’s okay; wherever you are it’s okay.
This isn’t one of the basic steps, but I am going to encourage you to do some planning. Try and figure out if you will want this to be a monthly project or weekly task or if you are going to try and tackle it on a weekend.
I encourage you to write it down!!! Whether on your to-do list, an app. I say this for everything! If we don’t write it down, it won’t likely get done. I would be lost without my to-do list.
Once you figured out the time, block it out on the calendar. I would also suggest, although this isn’t necessary to do, a complete inventory of your space. What areas or rooms need: organized; some work; and none.
Plan on organizing one room/one project at a time. I am planting this seed now because I have seen many people flit and fleet from one project to the next and never accomplish anything. Nothing wrong with this, but if this is you; you might want to consider hiring someone. A professional can come in and see things that you can’t.
Finally, this is something I suggest my clients do or think about prior to organizing or decluttering:
Create a vision for each room and how want to feel. You can consider creating a vision board as well. This can help motivate you when you’re feeling discouraged and want to stop.
Before organizing, I recommend gathering your Supplies:
- Strong Boxes/trash bags: Donate, Return, Repair, Recycle, Sell, Another Location, Trash.
- Paper/index cards/tape to label piles
- Dustbuster/vacuum, Dust cloth & cleaner, broom & dustpan; and essential oils
- Folders & pen for paperwork
- Notebook or app
- Box for files / papers
- Beverages & Snacks
- Music
- And maybe a trusted friend!
Basic steps to Getting Organized.
Sort & Separate
- Start with what you can see (the countertops) before moving to what you can’t (underneath the bed, in drawers)
- Group items how YOU associate.
- Once you’ve grouped, go through and release what you don’t love, like, use, or need.
- Stay focused on one area. Don’t move to the next room or area until you’ve completed what you’ve started.
Find a Home
- Each item has one consistent home
- Match the size to the space (shallow drawer jewelry, deep one pants)
- Keep similar items near each other: hose, tights & socks can be close by
- Make it easy to retrieve & return; don’t jam too many or stack too high to reach.
Containers
- Chose containers that you like and will use.
- Make sure that they can withstand repeated use.
- Measure, measure, measure.
- Height, width, depth, and # of items to be stored
- Height, width, depth space container will go
- Take a tape measure to store
I’m a huge fan of repurposing. Check out this episode from my podcast Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out.
Maintain
- Once set up system need to maintain!
- Set aside 10 minutes daily, 30 minutes a week
- Schedule on calendar
- Get family involved
- Some days you miss, so simply make up for it!
Finally, I believe in an annual purge. The first time you do it, it may be challenging, but after that you can usually get it done pretty quickly.
How can you get organized? What systems do you need to maintain your organization?
Take actions from today’s blog on clutter-free living on quick get organized tips:
- Take the time to plan and block off time for your project. A little planning before getting started will save you time down the road.
- Consider doing an inventory of your home or space that you are organizing. Pick one room or area to begin. Do not move on to another project, room, or area until you have completed what you started!
- Create a maintenance plan and commit to following it!
DIY Options to Clear Clutter
Purchase Julie’s books, classes, and decluttering affirmations on how to clear clutter from your life: https://reawakenyourbrilliance.com/shop/
Subscribe to Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out Podcast https://reawakenyourbrilliance.com/resources-concierge-services/podcasts/self-help-podcast/
Check out more of my decluttering tips and how to get organized on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/SeibertRadio?feature=watch