Organizing: Tips on Getting Started

Life is often messy and complicated. We’re all busy making an effort to maintain balance between all of our obligations while also trying to sustain a clean and orderly home. With so many balls in the air, it’s easy to fall out of (or not establish) a regular cleaning and organizing routine. If your home or workspace has fallen by the wayside or is in complete disarray, you might be feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to get it tidy. The good news is, getting organized is actually easier than you think. Below are a few tips to keep in mind before you get started. 

Take Photos. If looking around your space right now causes any type of anxiety, the last thing you might want is to document it. Maybe you are ashamed or embarrassed and don’t want physical proof of how bad things have gotten - that’s understandable. However, a before photo is critical before embarking on any type of transformation. You will appreciate having a record of where you started after you’ve finished. An after photo is just as important. In addition to a sense of accomplishment, it will give you a map to serve as a guideline to refer back to if your space gets out of order again. 

Start Small. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” I encourage you to keep that in mind when beginning your organizing journey. Think of a small, yet impactful area that you use on a regular basis; one that will actually make a difference in your day to day functions. Maybe it’s the junk drawer in the kitchen that you keep a spare pen in to sign off on your kids’ school work every day. Maybe it’s the cabinet next to the stove that you store spices in and open each time you cook. Perhaps it’s a small closet in the hallway or bathroom that you store linens and washcloths in. Whichever space you select, ensure that it is an area that will not take more than an hour to organize - even better if it takes less time. The quick win of getting a previously disorganized high traffic area now in order will not only make your daily routine more efficient, but it will provide a motivational boost to continue in other spaces within the home. 

Make it as Enjoyable as Possible. Organizing may seem like a chore, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make it entertaining. Is there a podcast you’ve been wanting to catch up on, a new album, or even a favorite tv show that you can listen to without having to watch? Listening to something of interest to you while you work can help to make the process feel less tedious. Take it a step further and create a little competition within yourself by making it a game! For instance, you can challenge yourself to get everything sorted before the end of a tv show, or give yourself until the end of a song to take all the trash out and put your donations in the car. This process doesn’t have to be boring, so don’t let it. 

Set Realistic Goals. It's wonderful to accomplish a big goal, but it's the small wins that get us there. Avoid setting yourself up for disappointment by setting realistic goals. Make a plan to break down your organizing project one room at a time. Projects like this usually take more time than you anticipate to complete, so give yourself some grace. Deciding on the items that you want to get rid of is usually the most time consuming part because you may get sidetracked by things you find; this is normal! If you are clearing out months or years of clutter, be patient with yourself and know that it won’t get in order overnight. 

It will take time and effort to transform a space, but it is worth it. Avoid self-shaming by concluding that if your space has gotten away from you, it most likely is for good reason and not out of pure laziness. The hardest part is getting started, and once you do, you will gain the momentum required to keep you going. Imagine what your space will look like when you’re done and stay the course. Happy organizing!