Decluttering and Organizing Tips

All at Once, or Baby Steps?

It’s best to set aside a chunk of time and tackle an entire area at one time, such as the entire closet, the entire dresser, or the entire bathroom. But if you tend to get overwhelmed when organizing, start small. Choose one drawer, one area of the closet, or one bathroom cabinet to work on.

Set a Timer

Set a timer for 15 minutes. You can do anything for 15 minutes, no matter how hard it it! Work until the timer rings, then see how you’re doing. Chances are that once you’ve gotten started, you’ll be “in the groove” and want to continue, as starting is the frequently the hardest part of any project. If you need a break, set the timer for 15 minutes again and go get a drink or snack, or work on something else. When the timer rings, get back to your organizing for another 15 minutes. If you really focus on a task, you’ll be amazed at what you can do in 15 minutes!

The 20/80 Rule

Most people use 20% of their things 80% of the time, and the remaining 80% of their things are only used 20% of the time. When purging, think about which category an item falls into. Ask yourself these questions: When did I last use this? Am I likely to need it again? If so, when? Can I borrow one or buy one inexpensively if I get rid of it and need it later? Do I value space and peace more than having this item?

Let it Go!

Donate, sell, or toss things you haven’t used in the past year (or two at most), and toss anything that needs repaired that you haven’t bothered getting fixed.

Contain It

After purging, gather like things together and contain items in boxes, bins, baskets, or other containers. Put all your all batteries in a rack on the utility room wall, all light bulbs in a box on a basement shelf, and all your daily toiletries in a basket on the bathroom counter. Label the bins and boxes so you know exactly where to find things and put them away again.

Give it a Home

Once you’ve purged and contained the items you want to keep, consider the best place to store that type of item. Ask yourself these questions: Where will I use it? How often will I use it? What other types of things do I use at the same time? Store things where you’ll use them, and keep the things you’ll use most often in the most accessible places.

Organizing Products

There are many wonderful organizing products on the market, but be sure you’ve planned how you’ll use them before buying. Some people spend lots of money on products that don’t suit their needs, and the products end up adding to the problem instead of solving it! Think it through before buying.

Reading Materials and Information

When sorting through newspapers, magazines, and books, consider the following questions:

Will I ever truly need this information, and when? Is the information up to date? Can I get the information again, perhaps online or at the library? Can I store it in a way that allows for easy retrieval?

Ask for Help

Some people find it easier to get organized if they have a friend or family member help them. Others find that using a timer helps them stay focused. Put on some peppy music, set the timer for 15 minutes at a time, and dig in. And remember one of my favorite mantras, “It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be done!”

Copyright 2007 by Cara Kinning, ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

Please contact me for reprint permission.

Organized for Life      www.organizedforlifeonline.com     (804) 330-0997