Hey there! Lisa here. People always ask me why I wanted to become a professional organizer and I usually tell them that it's a passion project turned profession. I grew up with chronically disorganized parents who tried but never succeeded at maintaining a healthy and clean environment where we knew where things were. We spent too much time looking for the things we needed and not enough time enjoying the people and places around us. I also have ADHD and have made it my life's passion to create a way for the neurodivergent and chronically disorganized humans to have success at organizing and maintaining their spaces. I've tried it all. From color-coded systems and baskets to clear bins and lists. Some have worked and some have crashed and burned like the unappealing food that once was my safe food! One thing that's for sure is that as our needs change, so do the organizational systems. The seasons change and our tiny-human-roommates grow older and alas, the clutter changes but the need for order is always present. This blog highlights my top 10 tips for starting and staying organized.
TLDR;
Understand Why You Need This
Get Motivated
Fanny Pack of Supplies
So Fresh & So Clean
Stellar Sorting
Understand Why You Need This
So many of the big adventures in life, ones that are life-changing or transitional, start with asking you your why. Why do you want this? Why do you need this? There will be moments during your organizing adventures that will stop you in your tracks. There will be items that you see that you haven't seen in decades that bring up past trauma or even guilt. It is precisely during these moments that recalling your WHY is pertinent to your mental health as well as reaching your ultimate goal of having an organized home. Let's find your WHY.
Your WHY should be structured like this:
Here are some examples of my client's WHY's:
1. To ORGANIZE my home office so that I can boost productivity and focus on achieving my professional goals.
2. To SIMPLIFY my living space so that I can enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful environment after a long day.
3. To SORT and DECLUTTER my wardrobe so that I can effortlessly choose outfits that reflect my style and boost my confidence.
4. To ARRANGE my kitchen efficiently so that I can save time during meal preparation and enjoy more moments with my loved ones.
5. To TIDY UP my digital files and emails so that I can easily find important information and reduce digital clutter in my life.
6. To PURGE unnecessary items from my home so that I can make room for meaningful possessions and create a space I crave to be in.
7. To ORGANIZE my kids' toys and belongings so that they can easily find and put away their items, promoting independence and responsibility.
8. To crate FUNCTIONAL zones in my home so that I can optimize each space for its intended purpose and live with greater ease.
9. To STREAMLINE my daily routines and schedules so that I can have more time for hobbies, self-care, and activities.
10. To TRANSFORM my chaotic home office into an inspiring workspace so that I can unleash my creativity and achieve my personal projects with enthusiasm.
What are your top three WHY's? take a minute to think about it.
Now, Let's Get Motivated
Knowing where to start is half the battle but finding the motivation to actually get started AND finish a single project is the true challenge. Even I struggle at home with the motivation to get started. Here are some tips to GETTING and STAYING motivated.
1. Start in the Morning:
Begin your organizing journey early in the day when you're fresh and full of energy. Tackling tasks before other distractions arise can help you stay focused and committed to the project.
2. Set Realistic Goals:
Establish achievable goals for each organizing session. Aim to create a clear and organized space that you can realistically accomplish within the time you have. Seeing progress and witnessing an "epic after picture" will keep you motivated for future projects.
3. Dress Comfortably:
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely. While pajamas might be too relaxing, opting for comfortable attire will ensure you feel at ease while still being productive.
4. Wear Indoor Shoes:
Consider wearing indoor shoes during organizing sessions. Some studies suggest that wearing shoes indoors can subconsciously signal a shift from relaxation to activity, helping you stay focused and engaged in the task at hand.
5. Choose Motivating Music:
Create a playlist of upbeat and motivating music that keeps you moving, but not too much to distract you from the task. Music can elevate your mood and make the organizing process more enjoyable.
6. Organize with a Buddy:
Enlist a friend or family member as a "body-doubling-date" to work alongside you. Having someone there for support, encouragement, and company can make the process feel less daunting and more fun.
7. Treat Yourself with a New Candle:
Reward yourself for organizing efforts by buying a new candle that you light up specifically during organizing times. The pleasant aroma and association with a job well done will create positive reinforcement and make you look forward to future organizing sessions.
Remember, motivation can fluctuate, and it's okay to take breaks and celebrate the progress you make. With these tips, you'll find it easier to overcome the hurdles and turn home organization into a fulfilling and rewarding experience. This doesn't come easily for many humans so please do remember that we are always here to help, even if you have the motivation and the WHY, but just not the time.
Fanny-Pack of Supplies
Let's go shopping! Just kidding, you likely have all the items you need already at home. You've just got to find them. Instead of searching for the scissors or measuring tape for longer than you'd like to admit, gather up the goods and snatch these items into a fun little fanny-pack. If you're like me, this part will feel like you're wearing an important tool belt as well as curating this bag always gets my motivational wheels turning.
So Fresh & So Clean (Clean)
So you've nailed down your WHY. You're glowing with MOTIVATION. You've procured you're TOOLS. What now? Have you read our blog about where to start? INSERT HERE Once you've finalized your timeline and solidified the plan of where to physically start, now it's time to empty out that space and give it a little wipe down.
Starting fresh will not only give you a clean space but it will allow you to have the most thorough decluttering process possible. The next tip is typically done while you're removing all of the items but let me tell you, if you were pretty good at decluttering while removing all the items, once you start putting them back in the sapce with intention, you become ruthless about what items actually get to stay.
This is where the fun starts but fair warning, it will look like a bomb exploded in the area youre working in. Make sure to follow the next tip closely so that you don't find yourself in an overwhelming heap of items labeled: "I have no clue why I have this."
Stellar Sorting
You could just do the whole: wipes-arm-over-table-clears-everything move OR you can learn a few tricks of the trade and have some stellar sorting habits. What the professionals do is SORT while they're removing all the items in the designated space. We sort by putting all like items together, toothbrushes with the toothbrushes. Similarly, if they belong in the same family like toothpaste and floss, we put those right next to the toothbrushes. If there is, let's say, a toilet bowl cleaner, that clearly belongs in the bathroom, but not likely near the toothbrushes so while we are sorting, we will distance those items then and note the quantity. Which leads me into our next sorting habit. All great professional organizers are great at helping their clients process items. Here at The Productive Owl, we call this part of the process our Triple C's of Sorting. (INSERT BLOG LINK)
When sorting through items, they must pass these tests to make sure you truly want, need, and use each item.
Crave: Do you absolutely crave it? Does it ignite a deep desire within you, making you feel like it's a perfect fit for your life? If it passes this test, you're one step closer to clutter-free paradise!
Connect: Do you feel a strong emotional connection to it? Does it resonate with your soul, bringing you a sense of joy and fulfillment? If it tugs at your heartstrings and sparks happiness, it might be a keeper!
Contribute: Does it actively contribute to your life? Does it serve a purpose and enhance your daily experiences? Remember, no room for stagnant objects here! Keep only the items that actively contribute to your happiness and functionality!
Keep the items that meet the criteria for two or more areas. For example, you shouldn't keep something that you connect with but serves absolutely no purpose in your home. Likewise, if you absolutely Crave an item but you genuinely don't have the space or time to honor it, it might be time to let that go to another home where it can be used and loved. Your path to clutter-free paradise starts with these core habits of sorting.
In conclusion, embarking on the journey to become organized is not just about arranging physical objects; it's a deeply personal and transformative experience.
Understanding your "WHY" is the cornerstone of any successful organization endeavor. It's the driving force that keeps you going when things get tough. Your "WHY" gives you purpose and direction, helping you create a vision for a clutter-free and harmonious living environment.
Motivation is often the stumbling block for many when it comes to getting started and staying on track. However, with practical tips like starting in the morning, setting realistic goals, and creating a motivating atmosphere, you can overcome this hurdle and turn your organizing projects into fulfilling experiences.
Your "Fanny-Pack of Supplies" acts as your trusty tool belt, ensuring you have all the necessary items at hand, minimizing distractions, and keeping your momentum strong throughout the process.
"Starting fresh and clean" is a crucial step in the organization journey. Emptying out a space and giving it a thorough wipe-down not only provides a clean slate but also forces you to reevaluate what truly deserves a place in your life. It's during this stage that you become ruthless about what stays and what goes.
Finally, "Stellar Sorting" is a professional organizer's secret weapon. Sorting items methodically, using the Triple C's of Sorting (Crave, Connect, Contribute), ensures that only the most meaningful and useful possessions find their place in your organized haven.
Remember, the path to a clutter-free paradise is paved with intention, motivation, and thoughtful choices. By following these top 5 tips, you can start your journey towards a more organized and fulfilling life. Your space should support your goals, not hinder them, and with dedication and these strategies, you'll soon find the balance and order you've been seeking. Happy organizing!
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