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With anything in life, it is always nice to have specific rules or guideposts to turn back to when you feel as if you have lost your way. This is especially important when it comes to getting organized.
One of the things I hear the most from friends and family that would like to be more organized is ” I am SO overwhelmed, I don’t even know where to start?”
If this is something you have said or are currently saying, I am here to tell you you are not alone. Don’t be discouraged though because there is hope. Below I will give you six quick rules, that if you adopt today, will not only help to get you organized but will keep you organized.
Rule #1 – KEEP IT WHERE YOU USE IT
This one is pretty straight forward, stash toner with the printer, TP under the bathroom sink, and dish soap in the kitchen!
Rule #2 – HAVE A PLACE FOR NOTHING
So often we find ourselves feeling the need to fill every nook and cranny we can. Instead you should aim to create one empty cabinet, shelf, or drawer in each room. There needs to be balance in this area, if there is not, it will only be matter of time before your shelves are overfilled and you are frustrated!
Rule #3 – MAKE LABELS, NOT WAR
Unless you are the only one living in your house, you need to mark shelves, bins, and boxes so that your family knows where everything goes! As much as you might try to drill those well meaning husbands and kids on where it all goes, more than likely they will not remember. Help them out by giving them a label!
Rule #4 – THOU SHALL NOT TRANSFER CLUTTER
Don’t bury the coffee table to save the kitchen counter, don’t bury your bedroom to save the living room. Techniques like this will only cause you more headache in the end. If you are working to clear a certain area, make sure everything finds its true home. Do not just transfer the clutter from one room to the next.
Rule #5 – DOUBLES ARE TROUBLE
You don’t need two can openers, four crockpots, and ten nail clippers. Doubles of unnecessary things will only cause more trouble and take up more space. So make sure you are consistently evaluating your space for unwanted doubles.
Rule #6 – PICK YOURSELF UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF, AND START OVER AGAIN
The last and final rule, but maybe the most important is to remember that organizing is a circle and not a straight line. It is something you need to keep up with and consistently work at. All too often I see someone organize a space, wash their hands, and consider the job done….FOREVER. That is simply not how it works. You can put things in bins, and systems in place, but in order for those things to work it still takes small bursts of effort everyday in order to keep it that way.
And if you are feeling discouraged, remember….
The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.