1) Don't try to do it all at once!
Start small and set a realistic goal. Work on a room a weekend, or maybe even a room a month. If you've ever tried to organize something you know that you have to dump everything out just to see what you have. When you do that, take a step back and breathe because it always looks worse than what it is and will quickly discourage you. This is where many people will give up or maybe not even start at all. Just think of all those countless minutes that were wasted because you couldn't find something you desperately needed.
2) Don't forget your A, B, C's.
It's a natural thing to get attached to stuff, we all do it and that stuff starts to multiply and will consume even the best organized person. Once the drawer, or the room, is spilled out over your space, now's the time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! (This is the fun part that I get all giddy about.)
- A- Are you "Actively" using it? If it's been longer than a year since you last touched it, it's time to seriously consider if that item needs to remain in your space. I know I've held on to things out of fear that I'm going to need it soon, but unless it's a rare family heirloom, you can always replace it if you really need it down the road.
- B- Does it have a place where it "Belongs"? Everything should have a home where it can be returned to and can be easily found for the next time. Friends of mine stayed for the weekend and when I was out, they wanted to make coffee. They literally stood looking at the coffee pot and said, "Where would Brooke put the coffee, coffee filters, creamer etc?" And just like they figured, everything they needed was within a close radius of the coffee maker. Let's not forget that unless you live alone, other people in your household need to know where to return said items as well.
- C- If you haven't used it in over a year or it doesn't have a home, it may be time to either "Chuck" it, sell it, or my favorite donate it. This holds true for things that are broken. If you haven't fixed it and it's been over a month, the chances of you actually fixing it are not in your favor. Selling it allows you to pocket the money and use it for something else you may need. Donating it can be helpful during tax time! Take pictures or keep a log of what you're donating as well as a cost sheet to accurately document the value. Most places will give you a receipt that you can use to reduce your taxable income. Win-win!
3) Once you're done, you're not done-done.
This is probably the hardest thing for most people who tackle their first serious organizing project or even the yearly purge and clean. Think to how many times you've had to clean out the garage, or reorganize your closet. Often times, it's because the "system" that was set up, didn't work for the space or even the individuals involved. Organizing can be a lot of trial and error to find what works the best. Needs change, spaces themselves change, family dynamics change, and what seems like a great idea logically may not be the best practical solution. Whatever you do, don't give up! It doesn't mean that you're not successful at organizing, it just means that you need a little bit more fine tuning.
Whether you've been organizing for years or just getting into the groove, it is possible to do. It's going to take time and patience, but the end result will leave you with a huge sense of accomplishment.
