How to Use Organization to Take Control of Your Life – Step 2
We’ve already covered how to organize and maintain bills and paperwork, so the next logical step (in my mind) is to tackle the clutter of our material possessions. It was the second largest problem for me to overcome when I began to claim authority over my messy lifestyle, and I believe that most people have trouble with this as well.
The first step is the hardest. Look at your possessions. Of all those items, which do you actually use? How many things are you holding onto that just add to the clutter that you could do without? Learning to let go of “junk” is the most important element of keeping sanity in your life. Junk infiltrates our lives. We hoard things and protect them viciously. Our mindsets are like the legendary dragon that spends his entire life protecting his mound of gold. We buy and buy and buy, and don’t have anywhere to put our new “toys” because we love our “junk!” But, these things are weighing us down. They keep us from having the lifestyles we long for. They become obstacles in our paths to a healthy, balanced life, and they affect our thinking. When our homes and attitudes aren’t balanced, our thinking isn’t either. We live in fear of the “wrong” person coming over at the “wrong” time. Our homes should be our havens, and we spend less time at home because our environment there is so out of whack that it drains our emotions. We don’t have to live this way. We can take back control!
Moving Out to Move Up
This first step is not only the hardest emotionally, it is also the lengthiest to see through. It is necessary to go room by room to de-clutter. In most cases, it won’t be done in a day, but despite the challenges, it is the most crucial step toward success. It begins a new process in our thinking. If we change the way we think, then we can change our environment. This not only applies to organization, but to any and all problem areas in our lives.
Because this challenge must be tackled room by room, let’s make the process as positive and simple as possible. Begin your work in the most organized room in your home. Which room in your home has less “stuff” in it than any other room? Is it the bathroom? The bedroom? What about the foyer? We’re taking this in small steps, because we want to keep from feeling overwhelmed. The more we accomplish, the better we’ll feel, and the more likely our chances of seeing it through.
We’re about to battle with our materialistic monster, so we’re going to need our weapons of warfare. We’ll need two large garbage bags; one for trash, and one for donating or for a yard sale. Why not make some money off of your hard work? Planning to sell your items in a yard sale will help keep you motivated and perhaps put enough money in your pocket for a well deserved vacation. Don’t use it to buy more stuff. We don’t want to be counter productive! However, if the idea of spending the time having a yard sale puts a grimace across your face, consider donating your items to charity. You’ll have a good feeling knowing that you are doing a small part to help someone else’s life a little better. That’s always nice. Now, let’s go!
Bear these things in mind as you are shuffling through your things
1. Is this item of any use to me anymore? We tend to hold on to things that have proven themselves useful in the past, but no longer do. We keep it “just in case,” but this mentality cripples us. Those 20 year old “just in case” styling gels need to be thrown out!! Are you really planning on poofing your hair like you did in the eighties any time soon? Really?
2. “This came from my grandmother. I need to keep this.” If it is that precious to you, then why is it stuck at the bottom of a box that you rarely see, and never use? Please understand that I am not saying to get rid of special keepsakes. There are those very special items that do bring us great joy, but not everything that came from your grandmother or great, great, great Aunt Matilda should be kept. Also, if you’re holding on to something because you are afraid that getting rid of it would hurt the feelings of the person who gave it to you, remember that you don’t have to tell them. This is your life. You call the shots. If you don’t use it, don’t need, and especially if you don’t want it, get rid of it!! (just make sure you hide it from them if they come by your yard sale!)
3. Check expiration dates. If it’s expired, don’t keep it. You haven’t used it in its designated time frame, so odds are that you didn’t need it anymore. Some things, like medicines can actually harm you if you use it after it expires. The breakdown of certain chemicals can cause damage or simply be ineffective. Either way, its not a good thing to keep.
4. When it comes to clothing, if you haven’t worn it in a year, then you probably won’t wear it again. I know what you’re thinking. When I said that, a certain outfit came to mind, and you plan on donning that for your next outing just for pure spite. Remember, this isn’t for me… it’s for you. It’s taking up space in your life that you want to claim back. Give that red sweater with a hole in the bottom a dirty look and tell it “goodbye.” Red sweaters don’t get to call the shots anymore.
5. Don’t throw things out that don’t belong to you. No matter how much you hate your husband’s box of assorted fishing tackle pieces, it still isn’t yours to send “on vacation.” Try to get that person on board with you. Hopefully he will make the decision for himself to toss it. If not, perhaps it can be given a new home in a place that you both can agree on.
Make A Home in Your Home
Now that you’ve gone through and dispersed all of your life’s leftovers to their appropriate bags, let’s make new homes for the stuff that you want to keep. Everything needs its own place, and when something is where its supposed to be, then you’ll have easy access to it when you need it. As you’re working bear these principles in mind
1. Like items need to be with like items. All of your books should be together… in a bookshelf. Cleaners need to be together. If an item is specific for a room, then that items needs a home in that room. For example, bathroom cleaners should be in the bathroom.
2. Use boxes, baskets, or shelving to your advantage. Clean your shelves, and then reorganize them. Put all of your towels neatly together. Sheets that go on your son’s double bed should be folded neatly and put on a shelf separately from your queen sized sheets. Toys go in toy boxes. Large plastic boxes can be used to store dog food and cat food in the closet. Under-the-bed storage boxes work great for seasonal clothing. If you are a crafter, organize your materials with fishing tackle or tool boxes.
3. If, like me, you have minimal storage space, you can get creative. Using a large chest in place of a coffee table works great to store blankets. You can arrange decorative baskets on top of the refrigerator to store cleaners, dish towels, or foods. You can even utilize closet and cabinet space more by purchasing spacers for those areas. They are typically inexpensive and come in many, many shapes and sizes.
Keep It Up
Whew. It’s done. Your home has been de-cluttered and now everything has its own place. How nice!! Now you just have to maintain it. It’s not as hard as it might seem. Basically, if an item isn’t in use, then put it where it goes. Get the family on board. An organized house benefits everyone who lives there. Whenever you come across an item that hasn’t been used in a while, toss it. Don’t let things pile back up again. If the children don’t pick up after themselves as they should, use bribery. (I say this in jest, but a reward system really does work great! My kids get an allowance for keeping their rooms clean and helping me clean the rest of the house.) Sometimes its hard to change old habits, so don’t beat yourself up too much if housework gets a bit behind. Just remember, however, how much time and energy it took to get your house in order. That should help keep you motivated. And, bear in mind, you are taking charge. Keep that positive attitude!
