Professional Organizer-isms

There are a bunch of things I tend to say to clients on a regular basis, and I share them here as "Professional Organizer-isms" -- principles of decluttering, organizing and design used in my business. Maybe one or two will strike a chord with you...

1. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you have to use it -- this applies to containers, space, closets, furniture, storage accessories. People some-times feel compelled to keep things or systems either be-cause they've bought it, used it in the past, it exists, or for emotional reasons. If some-thing does not work for you, don't use it!


2. When in doubt, throw it out -- while this may seem extreme, in 99.9% of cases it holds. If you don't think you'll use something or don't know where the piece goes, get rid of it. Things that offer no use to us are clutter, and can be thrown or given away to someone who will use them.


3. There's only 2 options: less stuff or more storage -- let's be honest, there really are only two choices. Generally, increasing the storage (i.e. building another room or closet or buying more furniture) is not always realistic or in the budget. Better to start of reducing your inventory (purging) then utilizing existing storage more effectively.


4. Do you know what is in there? How long has it been there? -- Think about the box that's been on the top shelf or the stuff in the attic. If you haven't accessed the container in a while, and furthermore don't know what is in the container, seems to me that the contents are not that important. Be prepared to get rid of it, and use the space more effectively.


5. There's only three things you can do with paper: File, Act, or Toss -- The Toss category is easy -- the harder part seems to be getting used to a system for Filing and Acting. Filing including both short-term and long-term files, and Acting is anything you need to do (i.e. invitation RSVP, catalog order, bill paying). Address mail and incoming paperwork accordingly.


6. If items are important to you, they should be displayed or stored with respect, not stuffed away or in a box in the attic. It is amazing what people have in storage, all dusty or wrapped in paper (sometimes not knowing what the exact contents are), but then they see the item and say how important the item(s) is/are. How important can it be if you're treating it like that? Have sentimental china? Use it or dis-play it! Want your daughter to have a set of family heirlooms? Give it to her now.


7. It didn't get like this over-night; it's not going to get fixed overnight -- Things don't change without effort, progress and adapting new habits and routines. Like a diet must become a lifestyle, organizing is a habit that must be learned and applied to daily life. It definitely takes work, but is SO worth the effort!


8. What's the worst thing that would happen if you got rid of it? Between buying a replacement, finding it online, or realizing you can live without it, you generally can function after getting rid of items. You may even find it liberating! You have the power over your things, not the other way around.


9. Procrastination is really just postponed decisions. I didn't come up with this saying, but I like it. Often people become stuck in indecision because they find the question of 'keep or get rid of' difficult. Hence they choose to keep clutter in order to reduce anxiety. Ultimately, once you face the decision and move on, you'll feel much better.

20 Mudroom, Laundry Room, and Garage Organizing Tricks

See Real Simple's organizing article of the same name by clicking here -- enjoy!

HAVE A HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYONE!!

Psychology of Cluttering

No, I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist, but I have observed and worked with many, many clients on organizing their homes. With that experience I have noticed that people tend to feel powerless, as if they don't have control, over their surroundings. It may be your whole house needs decluttering, or it may be one room or one area. Doesn't matter -- the same thoughts apply. I want to remind you of a few things.

1. You DO have control. It is your space. Your home, your apartment. You own the items inside it, not the other way around.
2. Your space did not look like it did when you first bought/rented it. You added stuff. Therefore you can take away stuff. You may come up with reasons, excuses, etc.; you just don't want to rid yourself of stuff -- but you CAN rid yourself of it.
3. You might need help, and that's OK. It is hard to give up habits, and most people utilize the assistance of others to do it (think: smoking, dieting, exercise).
4. If you do nothing, nothing will change. Unless you live with someone who is motivated to do it themselves, the situation will stay the same -- for days, months, years -- unless you do something about it. Try one shelf, one surface, one room, one something to get started.
5. Stuff is stuff, no matter what feelings you associate with it. Even if you throw out Aunt Ginny's vase, you'll never forget Aunt Ginny. Be realistic. When you get rid of clutter, you make space for new things and give yourself simplicity and visual peacefulness.