Have you recently had a change in your life - marriage, a baby, a new job, a move, etc. - that has led you to feel a tad overwhelmed? Most of us already have limited space in our homes and a recent life change can shake things up even more. If you have a space in your home that is just nagging at you saying, “I need to get this room in order,” these tips are for you.
If you are like the rest of us and need some tips on how to get started, here are seven suggestions to set your wheels in motion. Often, clearing your physical space will give you the emotional space to address the more important things in your life.
1 Determine areas to organize Determine what area(s) you want to organize and then prioritize. Do a quick
walk-through of your home and make a list of rooms and/or spaces that require your attention. Then, prioritize your list, starting with the one that has the most immediate need for you and your family.
2 Identify your goals per area Once you have determined where to start, identify your ‘desired state of being’ in this particular area. Ask yourself the following questions: What are the types of activities I will do in the space? How do I imagine spending my time? How do I want to feel in the space?
For example, do you want to feel calm or invigorated? Do you want to feel inspired? Do you imagine spending your time working, reading, exercising, all of the above?
3 Sort and filter your items First, remove your items from the area of interest into the middle of the room or into another room. This allows you to deal with items one by one.
Second, start sorting your items into piles or bins. I recommend the following:
- Items to keep
- Items to store
- Items to toss
- Items to give away
I realize this part can be challenging for most. Here are a few things to consider, hopefully making this process a little easier on you...
- Keeping items you frequently use and truly need and love allows your items to be more than just ‘things’. It assigns purpose and allows you to maximize their use.
- Store those items that you know you’ll need but don’t use frequently. Keeping what is relevant to how you want to use the room will be more inspiring.
- I know it’s hard to part with things for which you have paid good money. Consider giving it away to someone who truly can make the most of it.
In the end, you want to keep and display the items that will help you accomplish the results you want - how you want to feel in your space and how you see yourself using your space. After all, how can you achieve a feeling of, say, peacefulness if you’re not willing to part with your wall of sports medals from junior high?
4 Create designated spaces Designating spaces for different functions like working, reading, artistic expressions, etc. helps to provide structure and discipline to the activity. If you are performing more than one task in a room and need to keep them separate (whether physically or emotionally), simple solutions can help to create these barriers. For example, a reading lamp and chair creates an instant reading space in an office primarily used for work.
5 Give your “keep” items a home Now you will designate spaces for your specific work functions or play functions. Create a list of activities you need to perform in your space by asking yourself, “What functions take up the majority of my time, are done regularly or take up the least amount of my time?”
Identify the necessary tools...
If you will spend most of your time writing articles to market your business, what tools will help you effectively perform this task (computer, desk, research files)? And, what will help you feel inspired (framed articles, books, magazines)?
Categorize your items by activity...
Cluster your items by the activities you perform. Not all notepads need to be categorized together, but you may want to cluster the ones you use for active projects separately from those used for developing story ideas.
Give your items the right home...
Think location, location, location. Give the items that you use regularly prime real estate, making them most accessible. This way, it will serve as a catalyst for achieving your goals.
6 Seek support when needed “Do It Yourself” products and tips can lead us to believe that we should DIY it all. But, if you need or want help, get it from a friend or from a professional.
If you still feel overwhelmed after reading these tips, ask for help. Consider asking a friend who has interest or knowledge in this area. If your friend enjoys organizing, he or she may be happy to help you with this process.
Another great resource is to hire a professional organizer. Often, time and budget constraints hold us back. However, the initial investment will likely pay off long-term. I recommend visiting
http://www.napo.net/Referral (National Association of Professional Organizers) to find someone in your area whose services are a good fit for your needs. Ultimately, you’ll get what you want done with the help of someone who is effective and can expedite the process, and you’ll hopefully learn a few great tips along the way.
7 Final touches Congratulations, it’s time for a test drive! You now get to reap the reward of your time and effort. Test out your space. See what’s working and what’s not. Is there anything you can switch around that will make it even better? Is there anything you put in storage that can now serve a purpose? If something doesn’t quite feel right, give a new approach a shot. Organizing is a process and takes practice. The more you organize, the more you learn about yourself. The more you learn about yourself, the closer you become to achieving your ‘desired state of being’.
Download a
checklist here to help you along the way!
Vania Tashjian is a professional organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area and a member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). If you have any questions regarding professional organizing or would like to reach her, please visit www.vaniatashjian.com.
