Organizing and putting into place systems help maintain order will free up time. Not until things get out of hand, or we start feeling overwhelmed do we finally decide it’s time to get organized. For some it is a simple procedure, others might dread it, keep in mind that perfectionism is the mother of procrastination.
So even if you just get your closet organized by color, feel great, because the next step can be by style, and then you might even start eliminating items that are not use frequently, or have not been used in a long time, so you feel really organized. Step by step, creating a system helps.
So what are some systems you can put in place when organizing anything?
First, when cleaning out a room, closet or even drawer, decide what you will do with the clutter and put into three piles:
- Keep It
- Purge It
- Store It
Keep It:
When going through items remove space wasters. You might be one saying “what’s a space waster?” They are items that you probably haven’t used, touched or thought about in over six or more months.
Space wasters are taking up the valuable real estate. It’s time to either sell, donate, or throw away. We all have them stored away so we do not need to address them every day. These are items that you have to ask yourself a few touch questions to let them go. Again, if it has been more than six months it most likely is a space waster that needs to be addressed.
Those items that you know you use, will have a use for and have been using daily or monthly are your keepers. The keepers are the items that should be placed in easy access so you know where they are and when you need them.
Purge It:
The space wasters need to be removed. Removing them you can throw out, donate or sell if they are in good condition.
Once those space wasters are removed, it’s time to evaluate what is left. Start sorting through the items you feel are necessary. Make them easily accessible. Other items that you need everyday but can be stored– i.e. seasonal items, large appliances, tools, craft items, the extra items store but organize them in there storage containers.
Be organzied when you do store items. Store like things together, all holiday items, and each holiday in its own bin, clothing- fall/winter items in their own bin, gardening items- tools together, gloves together, fertilizers together.
Sorting similar items is like sorting blocks when you were younger, all the same shape together, color together etc.
Store It:
The items you use frequently, sort through and set up a system or a home to keep them organized. Maybe it’s using bins that are marked, setting your closet up with shelving or additional rods for hanging, labeling shelves help some to keep items in their ‘home’. The key is creating a home for things – “a place for everything, and everything in its place” and then making sure that you put items in their places and not just put them down wherever latter.
If you try it in just one area of your house you might find that you can translate it to other areas to the point of being completely organized. Let me know what systems you have put in place to keep organized and the clutter to a minimal.
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