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I tend to overcomplicate things. When I do, I often find myself coming down to a straightforward solution. Organizing often feels like a complicated, confusing process, so today we’re going to talk about how to simplify simplifying. I’ve pulled together the top 12 tips to simplify getting organized.
Use these 12 tips to simplify getting organized.
Decide what you want to KEEP
I’ve heard this called “reverse decluttering” in other places. But whatever you want to call it, it works. Instead of asking “What should I get rid of?” ask “What do I want to keep?” This eliminates a lot of pressure and anxiety.
Throw away trash
A lot of visible clutter is trash. I’ve transformed a lot of rooms by simply taking a garbage bag and picking up all the trash. Grab a trash bag and go through your house picking up scraps of paper, empty bottles and cans, and random bits of stuff.
Use the 1-minute rule
If it takes less than a minute to do it, do it right away. Example: put the milk back in the fridge after pouring cereal.
Set expiration dates
If you’re unsure if you need an item, set it aside in a box and put a date on it 6 months from now. Set a reminder on your phone (so you don’t forget!) and go through the items on the expiration date. If you haven’t used it or thought about it, that item can go.
Give 5 items a home
The reason there’s clutter around is that items haven’t been given a rightful home. Take time to make a place for shoes, keys, your bag, coats, the remote, your sunglasses, mail …anything that gets lost or makes your home look cluttered.
Schedule a donation pickup
The hardest part about decluttering is getting items out of your home. Instead of driving around for a year with donations in your car, schedule a donation pickup.
Click here for a post with a list of organizations that will pick up your donations for free.
Designate a place for donations
Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing. It’s something to be done daily so that your home stays clutter-free. Designate a place to put items you no longer need and can be donated. Once the box or bag is full, schedule a donation pickup.
Get a list of questions to ask when you’re unsure if you need an item in this free download.
Use a list of easy places to declutter
I’m not always a fan of using a decluttering list, but they can be helpful when getting started. Here’s a list of 31 things to declutter now.
Use a timer
Race against the clock! If you don’t want to declutter, set a time limit. Interestingly, when you set a timer you may find yourself finishing within that space of time. It’s kind of like when you had those timed tests back in school …except way more fun.
Read an inspirational book
A good way to get ideas and inspiration is by reading a book. Check out the lists below of books I recommend to get inspired to organize. (And you can find more recommended books on the resources page here.)
5 Books for Motivation to Declutter and Organize
3 Must-Read Books for Staying Organized (They’ll Surprise You!)
Consistently schedule your decluttering
So many people say they don’t have time to organize but the solution is quite simple: schedule it daily! If you can make decluttering a daily habit, it gets easier to actually follow through. Check out these posts to learn how to do this:
How To Get Motivated to Organize
Use a Repetitive Process
Believe it or not, there is a very simple, repetitive process to use every time you declutter and organize. I follow an Organizing Blueprint when working with clients …and you’ll soon be able to get the same simple Blueprint to use, too! Be the first to know when you can get the Blueprint by signing up here.
Try these 12 tips to simplify getting organized:
- Decide what you want to KEEP
- Throw away trash
- Use the 1-minute rule
- Set expiration dates
- Give 5 items a home
- Schedule a donation pickup
- Designate a place for donations
- Use a list of easy places to declutter
- Use a timer
- Read an inspirational book
- Schedule your decluttering
- Use a repetitive process
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