For many people getting organized is something they desperately want but simply do not know how to begin. Getting started is, by far, the most difficult part so here are some ideas to pull the trigger.
Face it, no one’s home looks like those featured in magazines or on Pinterest. Instead of aiming for that look, identify your “organized enough” standards. For example, your goals might include being able to find things when you need them or having room to park your car in the garage.
If you have a major decluttering/organizing project to do, try doing it in short bursts of 15 minutes per day, or you can jump-start the project with a dedicated day where you just focus on that project. There’s no one right answer, so figure out what works best for your personality and what fits comfortably with your other time demands.
There is no point in putting things nicely into bins if they are things you don’t really want or need to keep. Do the decluttering first, and then organize what’s left. If you do things in the reverse order, you may find you’ve bought containers that you don’t need, which then become container clutter.
If you’re sorting and making keep-or-not decisions then come upon something you’re conflicted about, it’s okay to just keep that item for now and move on. It is the momentum that matters. People often unclutter in phases, doing the more obvious things first.
“Have I used this in the past year?” isn’t always the most helpful question. Some others to consider are:
Know where to donate
If you have items in good condition, there is undoubtedly a place that would be glad to have them. Identify the organizations in your area that are close to your heart. It is so much easier to let go of things when you know you are making a difference for someone else.
Neatly,
Jennifer Snyder, Certified Professional Organizer
Neat as a Pin Organizing Experts
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