I am sure most of you are probably over our "stay-at-home" seclusion.
I get it, even when WE know it's the BEST THING for our health and safety.
That being said...
I'm sure many of you have tried to do different things around the house, including getting your closets, cabinets, and life more organized.
Well, here are some truths that I hope will help you through your organizing frenzy.
NOT EVERYONE IS GREAT AT ORGANIZING.
IT DOESN'T COME "NATURALLY" TO MOST PEOPLE.
IT'S EASY TO GIVE UP AND DECLARE YOURSELF A HOT MESS.
IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS.
Let me repeat the last one...
IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS!!!
I realize this, because for me, a natural-born organizer, it still has its moments of frustration and doubt.
So, I'm going to impart some "Organization Wisdom" to you today in the hopes that it encourages you to keep moving forward with your organization.
TIP 1:
CREATE WORKABLE SYSTEMS FOR YOU!!!
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| Photo Credit: Victoria Borodinova |
Your life, context, construct, experiences, narrative, and skillsets are totally unique to you.
You do not need to emulate and copy someone else when it comes to organizing you.
A closet system that works for me may not be the best closet system for you.
I like to hang the majority of my things while others may like to fold.
I need things to be labeled so that I can put my hand on them quickly; others don't have the same needs.
I like things to be organized by type when others like entire outfits parcelled together.
Guess what???
All of those ways to organize are correct.
You have to recognize WHAT you need in terms of personal organization and then PUT those things into place.
Don't compare yourself to that Pinterest worthy picture or those YouTube organization gurus.
You are you.
Create a system that you can maintain for you and don't worry about the rest of us.
TIP 2:
PURGE THEN ORGANIZE!
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| Photo Credit: Fatin Hasham |
You cannot successfully organize IF you are "moving deck chairs around on the titanic."
In other words, don't waste time organizing the stuff that adds no value or happiness to your life, even if it's "good stuff."
A few years ago when my mom downsized into her current home, she had to methodically sift through 40 years of gathered and saved belongings and keep only the things that would work for her in her new home.
While we joke about it now, it was hard at the time.
Like REALLY HARD.
I had to be the "hammer." In other words, I had to be the voice of reason as we picked over the years of her life in our old home.
I had to work with her to help her emotionally let go of stuff and organize what was left.
If you've done this before, it can be a daunting task.
We cannot keep everything.
Let me repeat that for those in the back.
WE CANNOT KEEP EVERYTHING!
Stuff emotionally and mentally weighs us down and if you are waiting for that time when "I might need that" to come around, you will find that you might wait for the rest of your natural-born life.
Sure, perhaps about 5-10% of the stuff you "might" need, but is it worth the risk to keep 100% of the stuff for that little bit.
NO! NO! NO!
Get rid of it and THEN organize what you have left.
TIP 3:
PRACTICE ONE TECHNIQUE AT A TIME.
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| Photo Credit: Pixabay |
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.
Start small and move on from there.
Start by organizing your purse or work bag/briefcase.
Make a commitment to clean it out once a week and tidy it once a day.
Maybe you need to get your kitchen drawers in order.
Make a plan to do one drawer a day.
Perhaps your kid's toys are out of control?
Start with a category, like games, and organize ONLY that on day one.
Then move to Legos on day two.
If you break it down into little bits that take only a few minutes and stick to that plan you will have it done in no time at all.
I suggest you WRITE down what needs to be organized, down to the tiniest detail.
Use this as a checklist of sorts, which can help you "see" how you are progressing through your organizational endavors.
TIP 4
DON'T ORGANIZE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE.
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| Photo Credit: David Garrison |
Want to give up and not ever organize another thing?
Try then to organize everything in your life.
IT WON'T WORK.
Life is messy.
You have to have areas that are "okay" just the way they are.
It's fine and in fact, can help you to better organize the areas that you deem are important to you.
For example, if your spice drawer is okay the way it is and doesn't bother you when you reach for a spice...
LET IT GO ELSA!
The spice police will not come and issue a citation for your messiness in this area of your life.
If you throw your undies into the drawer without folding and laying them neatly, and this works for you...
WAY TO GO!
You're doing great!
Be a rebel in a few areas to help you feel "free" from the constraints that life can put on you.
Instead, focus on ...
Identify areas in your like where organization really matter TO YOU!
Perhaps it's paperwork like bills, legal documents, and work-related matters.
It could be seasonal decorations or hobbies that you like to do.
It could be photos and memorabilia.
What would make you feel more organized?
Identify it then do it!
TIP 5
DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS!
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| Photo Credit: Pixabay |
Playing the "Comparison Game" in any area of your life is an absolute
NO NO!!
They are not you, you are not them.
You can use Pinterest, YouTube, my blog posts as inspiration and ideas to spark your desire and follow through when organizing,
BUT, and I mean a big BUT here,
YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU.
I cannot reiterate this enough.
If you start comparing yourself to others, no matter how much you try, you will always feel like you don't measure up.
Which is absurd because this is not a competition.
There is no gold medal for whose closet is more organized or who has the tidiest purse.
Instead, look at how you can better your daily life by finding, creating, and following through with an organization system that works for you.
You can certainly ask for help, and I encourage that if you need a "hammer" in your endavors; someone who will help you by being objective while sifting through your stuff.
BUT... ultimately, you need to do what's best for you and your family.
Start today with a plan to better organize.
Write it down and then follow through, scheduling it on your calendar if need be.
You can do this!
I know you can!
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