The new year is a perfect time to reflect on the past and set goals to start anew. What do you want to improve upon, change, or do better this year? Getting organized tops many New Year’s resolution lists. In fact, January is GO Month, a month-long national public awareness campaign by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) to promote the advantages of getting organized. As a professional organizer and a member of NAPO, my goal is to help people become more organized in their homes and small businesses. I believe that organization reduces stress and saves you time, money, and most important, your sanity. An organized home allows you more time to focus on the important things in life.
So how do you achieve your goal of getting organized? The hardest part is there is not a one-size-fits all strategy. Our lives are complex and unique, but I can offer a few general tips to help you start.
Start small
Many people become overwhelmed and do not know where to begin. I suggest starting with a small project, but one that will have the greatest impact. Look at the areas of your home that slow you down and are a constant source of frustration. Start here. The area you select should be something you see and use every day. Easy areas to begin with are kitchen drawers, bathroom cabinets, and bedside tables. Refrain from organizing a whole room. This is apt to ensure failure.
Fixing the problem
Once you have decided on a small area to improve upon, it’s time to set a goal. Figure out how you want that drawer or cabinet to look at the end of this project. Draw a picture, write a few notes, or look at Pinterest and magazines for inspiration. Also, try to think about why this area has become disorganized. Is it a dumping ground for papers? Do you throw things back into it when finished with them?
Start at the beginning
It is much easier to begin a project with a blank slate. Completely clean out the area you have selected. Reevaluate how you would like to use this location when it is empty. Sometimes a bare space can change your perspective.
Sort
Once you have a goal in mind, take a realistic look at the items you have. Sort everything into keep, toss, or donate piles. It is sometimes helpful to make a “new home” pile. These are the random items that do not belong in this area but have purposes elsewhere in your house. It is helpful to look at your daily habits. If you have a kitchen drawer stuffed with children’s barrettes, elastics, and combs, what does this tell you? Maybe you need to keep hair accessories in the kitchen, not the bathroom. Keep items where you use them. Remember, there are no rules for how you organize. You want your system to work for your life.
Organize
Once you have decided what you will keep, begin the process of creating homes. Take your “keep” pile and sort like items together. How many books do you have for that bookcase? How many magazines? Now you can shop for those fun organization items. One of the biggest mistakes people make is buying baskets and bins before they are ready. Purchasing these things should be one of the last things you do. If you don’t want to buy baskets or bins, use something you already have. I love repurposing.
Maintain
It is important to recognize that organization is not something you obtain and then forget about. It is an ongoing process that requires re-evaluation every so often. One important rule of thumb: Go simple when creating your systems, and don’t be afraid to change something that isn’t working.
“A place for everything and everything in its place” — Benjamin Franklin’s quote is a motto I use with every client. I am happy to help you along the journey to a more organized life.
Organize MV offers two workshops during GO Month: Wednesday, Jan. 21, and Wednesday, Jan. 28. Visit organizemv.com or facebook.com/organizemv for more information.