2 steps to getting organized

Do you answer Yes to any of the following questions:

• Have you ever missed an event because you misplaced the information?
  
• Would your life be easier if you improved your paper habits?
  
• Do you keep things because you might need them later, then rarely look at them and when you do, declare:  “I might need them later?”
  
• Do you delay tidying up cluttered areas because you fear the task will turn into a long, involved project?

Many people struggle with being disorganized.  We hand control over to the things we own:

1. Embarrassed to have people over
   
2. We can’t find things
   
3. We can’t move freely in our space
   
4. We struggle with mind clutter

These are all things disorganization places on us.  We feel overwhelmed mentally and our living space reflects the overwhelmness.  Then they feed on each other--it is an endless cycle.

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But there is a way out.  You can declutter by breaking it down into small steps:

STEP ONE

Choose one area where clutter is happening and take some time to answer the following questions.  If ‘poof’ everything was suddenly organized and in its place:

• What would the area look like?  (be specific---describe the room in detail)
  
• How would having this room organized and functioning correctly affect your daily life?
  
• How would you feel in this room?
  

Write all this down.  Spend time really creating the perfect space.  Do not do anything else until you are clear on this (seriously, don’t skip this step).

STEP TWO

Determine a realistic time frame between 15 minutes to 3 hours.  Choose a date and time when you won’t be interrupted.  Turn your phone and email off and truly focus on the task at hand:  getting organized.

Create 3 separate boxes, bins or bags and label one of each:  

1. Save
   
2. Not sure
   
3. Goodbye
   

Go through the space and sort all items into one of the three boxes:

1. Save:  definitely will use again and it sparks joy when you touch it
   
2. Not sure:  if you hesitate between Save & Goodbye, put the item in this box
   
3. Goodbye:  you won’t use the item again.  If you haven’t used it in the last year, it probably needs to go in this box.  If you are hesitating, put it in Not sure box.  Be honest here.  Does this item spark joy in you?  If not, it’s probably a Goodbye
   

NEXT STEPS

1. Goodbye:  donate or sell these items. Take this action immediately by posting For Sale ads or put the box in your car and take to Goodwill/etc.  Resist throwing out items if they can be truly used by someone else (see suggestions below!).
   
2. Not Sure:  wait a week and then go through this box again (have 3 labeled boxes again).
   
3. Save:  put these items in their proper place.  Don’t just leave them sitting around or in the box.
   

                   **Repeat this process until the area is clutter free**

What area of your house is the most cluttered?  I would love to hear from you--please let me know in the comments.  What would you like this room to look like instead?

SUGGESTIONS FOR RECYCLING/DONATIONS

Check your city’s website for recycling guidelines
freecycle.org---connects people who want you exact item
Donate to Goodwill/Salvation Army/Other Charity pick up organizations
Sell on Craigslist.com
1800recycling.com  (for other recycling options)
Computers/technology:  recycles.org

Read another post about decluttering:
Your Physical & Mental Space: More Connected Than You Think

Image credit: More Sorting by Rubbermaid Products via Creative Commons License Attribution 2.0