“I have got to get organized!” Have you said this lately? Maybe even said it today? Well, you are not alone. I hear this often from friends, family, even myself! It may not make your top 3 New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m sure it crosses your mind frequently.
But what do we REALLY mean when we want to get organized?
Is it getting rid of some old stuff in your attic? Is it going thru and donating old clothes that don’t fit? Is it finally unloading those last 5 boxes you never unpacked when you moved years ago? Maybe. If you really ask yourself, what does “getting organized” really mean, I think you’ll find something deeper.
Perhaps what you really feel is something like:
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- There is too much stuff and I just don’t have time to deal with it.
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- Things keep coming in this house and don’t have a place to go. Then when we go looking for things, we can’t find them. It is such a waste time and energy looking for things when we need them. I get frustrated and then I yell, but nothing changes.
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- I know my family is in a bad place but I have no idea how to make it better.
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- There is so much emotional weight to how I feel about my home. Anytime I think about it, I feel so overwhelmed. Sometimes I cry. I just wish it would all go away.
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- I just want peace in my home.
I’ll tell you friend, IT IS POSSIBLE!
You are not alone. Many families have been there. You would be surprised and relieved to know that just a little effort and motivation will get you and your family past the place you are now and on the path to peace in the home!
For the next few weeks, I’ll be focusing on the heart of getting organized and provide solutions to kick-start this new year on a positive path.
The first step to getting organized is to GET RID OF CLUTTER.
I know you feel like you don’t have time. But, do you have 5 minutes a day?
The job of decluttering doesn’t have to take hours at a time. You can make slow and steady progress in just a few minutes a day. Here’s how.
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- Download Checklist here (or create your own list)
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- Place 1 box/storage tote for Donations near the back door (but out of the way)
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- Gather 3 bags to collect items. One bag for Donate, one for recycle, and one for trash. Either color code the bags or write with Sharpie on the bag so you put things in the correct bag.
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- Pick a room from the checklist here
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- Set a timer for 5 minutes, and
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- START!
But WHAT do you declutter?
As you go thru the room, grab items that are broken, damaged or expired, Put those items in the trash or recycle bags. For items that still work are not damaged but you don’t use or want them; put those in the donate bag.
Make you goal to gather 20 items each day.
At the end of 5 minutes, empty the bags into their containers for weekly pick-up.
Note – GET FAMILY INVOLVED. Offer a dime or quarter per item the kids collect to give away!
Five minutes a day consistently every day will add up to a bigger declutter job. Slow & steady wins the race. Consistency builds habits. Developing a habit of daily decluttering is a great first step to getting organized and STAYING organized. You can do this!
