Sure, we’re a couple weeks into the new year, but it is never too late to make a new resolution or get back on track if you’ve fallen off… we’ve all been there {depriving yourself of desserts for an entire year wasn’t a good idea in the first place}. A common and much more reasonable resolution is to get {and stay} organized in the new year, whether it is tackling your pantry, playroom, or closet, or just managing the incoming paper flow. Easier said than done, right? Right. Sometimes it’s best to look to the experts for these things, which is why we called upon organization guru, Leslie DeMuth of Simply Organize for some tips and tricks to get us started. Read on for her top 5 tips for getting yourself type-A grade organized in 2016!
1. Get Your Priorities Straight
Most clients’ number one question for me is, "Where should we start?". And my answer is always, "With the space that’s bugging you the most". It's easy to get overwhelmed when there are multiple problem spots, so breaking it down one at a time makes the process simpler and more effective. Today we might tackle the mudroom; tomorrow, the kitchen pantry. Allowing yourself the satisfaction of completing one space will propel you forward to the next.
2. Pull Everything Out
As crazy as it sounds, I suggest taking everything out of the first space you’ve decided to organize—and I mean everything! Sure, this will temporarily create chaos, but the process is instrumental in helping you assess the entire lot—sorting, categorizing, and purging before putting anything back.
3. Prepare To Purge
It’s a cliche, but it’s so true—less is more! Purging can be one of the most challenging steps, but most of my clients feel a great sigh of relief once the process gets rolling. Ask yourself - Do I love it? Do I need it? Do I use it? If the answer is no, it's time to let it go. I am a believer that too much stuff turns into clutter, both in our brains and in our homes. And trust me, you won’t miss what was collecting dust once it’s bagged up and heading out the door.
4. Give Everything A Home
Whether it’s a basket for your shoes or a container for your hairbands, you can ensure that things will stay organized if you know exactly where they belong. It’s simple. Store like items together - pasta with pasta, light bulbs with light bulbs. And make sure you invest in a label maker to mark your bins and shelves—this is particularly essential when kids are involved.
5. Start The New Year With New Habits
Being organized means staying organized, and often times this means breaking old habits. Commit to staying on top of your new system of organization… processing the mail the day it comes in, reminding the kids that their shoes go in the shoe bin. Once your home is organized, it will free space in your mind to focus on what really matters. That's why my tagline is Organize so you can simply live!
And, if all else fails, call on the expert to do the organizing for you! Find more information on Simply Organize here or email Leslie at simplyorganizemn@gmail.com.