EASY ORGANIZING TIPS & TRICKS

Now that Spring has sprung, this is the perfect time to get organized.  There are so many positive reasons to do this - cuts down on stress, saves loads of time, helps you stay focused, and ensures that you always know where things are kept.  Let me introduce you to a few tried and true habits to help keep you and your family on task.

THERE IS A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING & EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE

You can’t be expected to put your things away if there is not a proper place to put them.  The first order of business is to figure out where. This could mean investing in more storage or clever organizational products (shelving, shoe cabinets, baskets, hooks, etc.).  When your belongings have a place to go, it is way easier to put them back where they belong. This should become second nature, and eventually done automatically.   Don’t just throw things on the chair or table.  Don’t just put your things down, put them away.  It will only take a few minutes.  If you let it collect somewhere, it will grow, and take much longer to tidy up. 

MAKE YOUR BED, EVERY DAY (this is no joke, it actually works)

You will be surprised how this small task can set the tone for the whole day.  It will also be a welcome site at the end of your day or if you need a calming place to escape to when the day becomes a little challenging or you just want a quiet place to reset. This is a good habit for the whole family to get into, especially the children.  Keep in mind this “chore” takes less than a minute to do.  

WIPE DOWN THE KITCHEN AND RUN THE DISHWASHER BEFORE BED

By not leaving anything in the sink or on the counters, will guarantee less work for the morning.  Perhaps set up the coffee maker to save time tomorrow or get the lunch bags out. The more you do the night before, the less you have to do the next day, especially when time is not always on our side.  

Also, take a few minutes to wander around the house and reset.  Fold the throw blankets, pile up magazines and books on the table, hang up coats in the closet, etc.  It doesn’t take too long and you will thank yourself in the morning.  Being organized doesn’t always mean decluttering your closet.  It also means a better use of your time and how you structure your day.  Also, be sure to check your calendar and the weather to be better prepared for tomorrow.

WHEN YOU START YOUR LAUNDRY, FINISH YOUR LAUNDRY

How many times do you take the laundry out of the dryer, put it in the basket, and leave it there?  Even if you fold it right away, but still leave it in the basket.  Try this - put it away, right away.  A basket of laundry, even if it’s clean, adds to your clutter.  This is unnecessary clutter because there is an actual place to put this laundry.  It just needs you to do it.  Perhaps when the laundry is folded and sorted, give your kids their pile to put away in their drawers themselves.  This gives you less to do and gives them the responsibility of taking care of their own clothes.  It will only take a few minutes, and it  will also cut down on the wrinkles.

KEEP A DONATION BAG HANDY

This is an easy way to declutter your closet.  If you put something on and you decide not to wear it because it doesn’t fit, you don’t like it or something is wrong with it.  DO NOT PUT IT BACK.  Put it in a donation bag.  When the bag is full, drop it at a donation center.   Supposedly, we only wear 20% of the clothing we own.   You must be brutally honest with yourself and know what you are not going to wear again.  We continue to keep clothes because we think they are going to fit again or that it’s going to come back in style someday.  I remind my clients that if you haven’t worn something within two years, most likely, you are not going to wear it again, plus you won’t even miss it.  And, what about the shoes?!  I have heels that hurt me just by looking at them.  I totally understand - they are so pretty you just can’t part with them or they went perfectly with a specific outfit (one that you might not even wear anymore)!  However, they are taking up prized real estate in your closet!  Make this your goal -  to weed out the obvious things that you know you are definitely not going to use again.  This might inspire you to keep going and spend a few hours really paring down all the extra stuff you are holding on to.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE MAIL?

Mail is a big issue for a lot of people.  I suggest you quickly go through it as soon as it arrives.  Immediately, weed out the junk mail.  Put it directly into a bin for paper recycling.  This will take care of more than half of the mail that comes into your home.   Put the rest of the mail into a basket..  Schedule yourself time once a week to sift through the “important” mail.  Make a system for papers to read and bills that need your attention.  Don’t let it pile up because then it will definitely take a lot longer.

The road to being organized is having better use of your time and space.  Use this opportunity to declutter and clear out.  Hopefully, these few tips will become second nature and you will enjoy the results of a more uncluttered home.  

 Living Simple is here to help get your home refreshed and back on track.  Contact us at Livingsimple.info to schedule your consultation and get ready to take those next steps to create a stress free, uncluttered home.