This time at home probably has you thinking about how messy your house is and why organization never lasts. Where to start, what belongings to put together, and how to keep your rooms clean are not easy questions. Fear not, there are a few small organizing don’ts you can keep in mind when trying to declutter your space.
1. Don’t Tackle it All at Once
Naturally, as humans, we rip off the bandaid. We want to finish tasks we dread as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, when it comes to organization, slow and steady wins the race. The best takeaway you can have from this read is not to do it all at once. While you may be in a groove and wanting to tackle the whole house, it will not pay off in the long run. Start small and make a plan for yourself to reap the full benefits of this cleanse.
2. Don’t Start in The Middle
Throwing yourself into the middle of the clutter is not the best way to go about this chore. By taking a step back, looking at your room, and making a plan, you will have far greater success. Work your way around the room, starting with one small section at a time. Try to keep all the items of a certain category in the same space. Continually becoming sidetracked by a different group will tempt you to shift your focus each time, making it hard to ever see progress.
3. Don’t Organize Clutter
Trying to put a mess away into baskets or containers is only moving it around. Instead of rearranging, try separating, organizing, and purging. Keep only what is a necessity and not ‘just in case’ you may need it one day. Don’t buy the containers before you segregate and dispose of items. This will have you keeping items just to fill the bins. Ensure every essential item has its own home and is not mixed. By creating a section, whether that is a box or shelf, you increase the cleanliness and organization of that area.
4. Don’t Disregard Your Lifestyle
You cannot keep your space tidy when you try to organize it based on someone else’s way of life. Know how you and your family live and separate accordingly. Do not store your remotes under the family room bench when you know you like them on the coffee table. Remind yourself that it is not the end of the world if everything is not tucked away. Try to check in with your own habits so this clean lasts, and not one that needs to be done every spring.
5. Don’t Revert Back
Once your belongings have their designated homes, continue with this pattern. Try not to blend together the segregated categories. Have a regular clean up session, whether that be once a day, week, or month. It helps to ensure your family members are on the same page in regards to the new and improved organization of your house. Don’t delay the process. If you use something, put it back in its place as soon as you are done with it. Break the pattern by holding yourself accountable for doing it today, not tomorrow.
Organizing our homes can be a very tedious experience that most of us dread. Make this year’s organizing session one that lasts by starting small, sticking to the basics, and knowing your own routine. Your home will be more organized and as a result, you’ll feel happier while living in it.
Article Updated June 2022.
