1. Choose 1 Area at a Time
To be the most effective in your organizing projects, start small and start in one place. Multi-tasking is not your friend when it comes to organizing your space. It’s too easy to get distracted and if you have too many projects going on at once, you will either forget about some or just not have the same motivation to get it done. It will seem too overwhelming. If you start with one space, you will see results quicker and will want to keep going forward.
2. Clear the Clutter
Now you have chosen your space, you need to decide what should be in the space and what needs to go. Start sorting and getting rid of anything that does not belong in the space. Less clutter means less to maintain. Items can either be moved to the proper location or if you no longer need the items, donate or trash. Ask yourself some questions…Do I really need this? Do I use this? Do I love it? If you do not have an affirmative YES, then let it go.
3. Make it fun
Organizing does not have to be boring or a have too chore… make it fun! Open the windows and put on your favorite music! Set a timer and try to accomplish as much as you can in specific amount of time. Think of an award to give yourself when you are done.
4. Eliminate distractions
Remember multi tasking is not your friend. This means eliminate any distractions, turn off the phone, don’t check your email. Set this time aside to just do your organizing. Make sure the kids are taken care of. You will work faster and do a better job if you are not pulled away.
5. Rotate Décor & Collections
One of the easiest ways to declutter your home is to rotate your decorations and collections. Now is the time to do it. Not every picture frame or trophy needs to be displayed. It will be easier to clean and when summer comes you can rotate again. It will take less time to clean an area with a few items than with several. Plus you get the added advantage of enjoying something new and different every season.
6. Seasonal Clothing Switch
This is the time where the sweaters can be put away and you make room for the Spring attire!
Evaluate - What do you have? What do you still wear? What could go to make room for new purchases? When was the last time you wore it? Do you even like it anymore? Make room and donate! Check your children’s closets- what clothes have they outgrown and make a list of items they may need as the seasons change.
7. Clean out the garage ( Two weekend process )
The first weekend is the time to go through and sort, categorize and get rid of anything you no longer need. Zone the garage into sections and have this determine where everything will go. The second weekend is for a garage sale. Spring is great time to organize a sale and whatever extra cash you get, could go towards new organizing products.
8. Spring Clean your car
Take everything out, and deep clean the car! Throw away all trash and only keep must have items in the car. Keep like items together and try to keep items off of the floor. Over the seat organizers are great for storing kids toys, snacks, maps, umbrellas etc. Evaluate how you store CD’s, make sure if you add 3 new CD’s you are also taking 3 CD’s out. Schedule a monthly appointment to clean your car, inside and out.
9. The Right Tools – Your Product!
As tempting as it may be to purchase great organizing products, you do want to wait until after you have sorted and purged. It isn’t until after this process is done where you will have the correct information to do “smart” shopping. You want to measure and know exactly how many of something you need before wasting your time and money. Organizing is the process you go through it’s not about pretty box’s and bins. Set up the process first and then buy the product.
10. For Everything There is a Place
To be effective in your organizing mission, you must have a home for every item. For anything that does not have a home, set aside and evaluate where the best place is for that item. Think about where you use the item, what is it’s purpose. When things have a home, then they will be returned to that home after they have been used. This is the key to maintaining an organized lifestyle.
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