10 Steps To Getting, and Staying, Organized

       

       As I've said before I like to be organized and these are the secrets to my success when it comes to organizing things (and keeping them that way!) around my house.

1. Organize Around Your Personality 

    There will never be one set of rules to organizing. This or that aspect of several different methods may be what you go for, or maybe you have to create your own method. Feel it out and see what works for you! The definition of organize is "arrange into a structured whole". Your way of arranging your things may be different then everyone else's. The point is to make it easier to get to everything you need in a way that won't keep falling apart.  

2. Choose ONE Section At a Time

    Don't try to build Rome in a day. Because it ain't happening. I find that if I try to deal with too many areas at once, I get frustrated and give up the whole thing. If you are organizing a lot of clutter, break it down. First sort it into shoes, then sort through your shoes.     

3. Sort Through

    I don't care if you just went through that, go through it again! I tell myself "You can always get rid of more!" Make trash, donation and keeping piles. 

4. Create Sub-Sections

    After you've sorted through and decided what you want to keep, break everything down into subsections. If it doesn't have something akin to it, it belongs in the miscellaneous pile!   

5. Enable Access To Everything 

    Make sure that everything has its own place and that it's easily accessible. If you can't get to it, you can't use it and it won't get put away if you do use it. Make sure you can get to what you need. If you're organizing something for your whole family, make sure everyone can get what they need. Sometimes a method will seem practical to you until you think about someone else using it! 

Okay--So everything has a place and now people actually have to live their lives and still keep it organized. How? 

1. If It's Not Working, Change It

    We've all tried things that haven't worked before. Just don't let it stay that way! If you are trying a method of organizing and things aren't getting back where they ought to be, explore new options.

2. Everything of One Kind Is Together

    I couldn't stress this more; keep all of one kind together! Don't keep your jewelry in three different places or your craft supplies scattered around. Of course, if it works for you that's all that matters. I've always found that when it comes to sorting through things again I hate to have to gather everything from five different places. 

3. Sort Through--AGAIN! 

    Yes, you can never, ever go through it too much. At least once every other month delve into this or that and donate a few items. Of course, it helps if you aren't constantly buying things but even so, it's good to have a fresh knowledge of where everything stands. 

4. ALWAYS Put It Back Where You Found It

    The phrase I always rolled my eyes at as a kid is one that travels often through my mind now. Don't be okay with just sticking it on the counter! Make it a habit to go the extra mile, bring the scissors to the drawer or hang up that towel. It will save you time in the long run.

5. Keep a "Clutter Collector"

    This is mostly a "me" thing but I have a feeling that most people get the same way. SOMETIMES you just don't have a place for something or you might need it tomorrow or it needs extra work. Have a place where you put those things instead of all over the kitchen table, counter or some other clutter-collecting place. Just make sure you go through it weekly and it doesn't pile up! 

       So that's it. They're not the golden rules of organizing but they've always helped me!