The Basics of Organization – Part I

As a space planner and designer it just goes without saying that I am a firm believer that there should be a place or “home” for everything and everything should be in its place. If you do not adhere to this type of thinking something bad happens…..clutter is born. Let’s take a look at clutter and the impact it can have.

What Clutter Costs

You know that clutter is a bad thing but did you ever stop to think what it costs you?

• Clutter causes you to feel over whelmed and depressed
• Clutter robs you of your energy
• Clutter steals perfectly good storage space
• Clutter makes your life harder; you have to look longer and harder for things you need
• Clutter takes longer to clean up
• Clutter costs you money. If you can’t find what you need you have you buy a replacement OR you may be paying good money to store clutter
• Clutter makes it hard to stay focused and think straight. It can affect how you feel about yourself. You may feel ashamed, guilty or self-conscious which can spill over and affect your relationships. For example if you feel ashamed, you will not invite friends and family over to your home.
• Clutter robs your home of its beauty and it will feel less peaceful and tranquil

If you are struggling with clutter take a moment and focus on that cluttered space and ask yourself this question.

How do you feel when you look at it? Stressed? Depressed? Overwhelmed?

Getting organized will help you feel better emotionally and physically; it will bring you clarity and you will begin to feel good about your life, and that’s a pretty relevant reason to tackle it. Decluttering your space is a liberating experience. Once your outer environment is clean, the next step is to nurture your inner environment.

How Do You Conquer Your Clutter

One thing that we all need to pay attention to is how many new things enter our life on a daily basis, school projects, junk mail, and so much more. Before you know it those new things start to contribute to the clutter. We need to embrace the notion that life is full of constant change, so when something new comes into your life, enjoy it, use it and when it’s time, let it go. Just because you own something does not mean you need to keep it forever.

Whether you want to admit it or not we all have a relationship with our possessions. They connect us with specific people, events or seasons in our lives. Sometimes it takes a lot out of us to let go of things, but if we don’t let go of old things, we can’t make room for new things and experiences.

Here are some tips to help you keep clutter away.

• Set up a system that works for you. Most people will be more apt to stay organized if everything is simple. It is important that you devise a system that works for you otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure and your clutter will reappear.
• Leave room in your day for organizing, and block out extra time for larger projects.
• Find time for quiet time for yourself. It is amazing how clear your mind can become after taking a little 15 minute time out.
• If you feel you are getting behind with anything, don’t stress. Plan a day or two to catch up. Work diligently and you will feel so good when you see all that you have accomplished.
• Incomplete tasks and projects have the potential to linger in the back of your mind and can leave you with a depressed feeling. Two words: “Complete Everything”. You will feel energized when items are handled.
• Look for storage solutions. When looking for furniture or having something custom-made always buy pieces with a dual purpose and that take up the least amount of space.

You will find that living in an organized clutter free environment is much more calm and serene that you’ll want to keep it that way.

If you want more tips on clearing clutter and getting organized, be sure to subscribe to our blog and newsletter.

Coming up next: The Basics of Organization – Part II

Related Posts
Kick Your Closet Clutter to the Curb
9 Tips on How to Declutter Your Office Space
Getting Organized: The Key to Clutter Control
Organizing Your Closet

* Photo credit MelvinSchlubman and EvelynGiggles