Organization is so important for maintaining a healthy and orderly life. In fact, some psychologists insist that having an organized home and work environment is essential for getting goals accomplished, whether they be to do the dishes every night or to submit work reports and projects on time. A well-organized home can also make daily cleaning maintenance easier and can help create a relaxing environment away from the stresses of work and social life.
If home organization is so important, why do so many of us struggle with keeping an organized home? The truth is that life often becomes too busy, and there is simply not enough time in the day to accomplish all the tasks that our jobs, friends and family require of us. We have to learn to prioritize certain tasks over others, and for many people, the first task to get pushed to the back-burner is home organization and cleaning. It’s normal to assume that putting off cleaning and organization for a few days is not so detrimental, but in reality keeping an organized home is a habit that is not so easily formed and much too easy to quit. The longer organization gets put off, the harder it is to get it done. The lack of order in your home can add unnecessary stress to your life, contributing to the load on your plate instead of removing some responsibility like you intended.
The fact of the matter, however, is that we all deserve a stress-free home environment that creates a relaxing space for us to return to after a long day of work. Make that happen by organizing your home! Below are some tips to help you get started. Remember to take your time and to give yourself some grace - no habit is formed overnight, and a little progress is still progress!
Create an Inventory
Before you do anything, create an inventory of items that need to be organized and storage containers that can possibly work for those items. If you begin organizing your clothing, for example, and then realize you do not have a large enough container to store your clothes in, it can be frustrating and you may end up with a partially organized mess while you go out looking for a large enough container. Knowing which items need to be organized and how many storage containers you have, as well as the container’s measurements, can save you a lot of time and energy in the end.
Have a Plan
Make sure you have a basic method of organization figured out before you begin. There are many different way to organize your belongings: by shared use, size, color, labelling, and more. Decide the best way for you to store your belongings and stick to that plan.
Condense Space
Many people have spaces in their homes that could be used more efficiently. If you have a cluttered room or cabinet, remove all the items that you can and decide which items to keep and which to throw away or donate. One great example is with old media, such as photographs and video tapes or film. Most families have a shoebox or container for their family photos and home movies. To remove these items from the space without getting rid of them, get your media digitized with Legacybox. This is a wonderful way to reduce clutter and create more free space in your home.
Repurpose Old Items
If you have older items that you aren’t quite ready to part with, but don’t necessarily have a use in your home, repurpose them! You can get crafty and create artwork and home decor out of old or worn out possessions. You can also reuse old baskets or crates to store blankets or linens in. There are so many ways to repurpose items and reduce waste while staying organized at the same time.
These are just a few simple tips to help you kickstart your home organization process. Try some of these out, and before you know it you’ll have a clean and organized home that you can feel proud of. Once you’re done, you’ll see how refreshing a well-organized home can be, and soon you’ll be able to come home from a long day of work and be able to rest assured knowing your home is taken care of. Get motivated, and get to organizing!
