Beyond Tidy

1. Organizing is about knowing what you have and where to find it

Simply put, organizing is knowing what you have and where to find it when you need it.

Redefine organization. True organization goes beyond surface-level tidiness. It means not wasting time and money replacing things you already own but can't locate. It involves creating systems that support your lifestyle and allow you to manage your energy more effectively. By focusing on functionality rather than appearance, you can design a life that aligns with your goals and values.

Benefits of organization:

• Saves time by eliminating frantic searches
• Reduces stress and increases confidence
• Improves reliability and punctuality
• Maximizes space utilization
• Enhances decision-making and emotional regulation

Organized people are resilient. They have strategies and backup plans for unexpected situations, allowing them to recover quickly from setbacks. Research shows that those who plan for goal implementation triple their chances of success, even for difficult objectives.

2. Change your mindset before attempting to change your space

Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.

Embrace a growth mindset. Your thoughts and beliefs about organization significantly impact your ability to change. Recognize that organizational skills can be developed through dedication and practice. Challenge negative self-talk and reframe limiting beliefs into more positive, solution-focused thoughts.

Neuroplasticity supports change. Scientific research shows that the brain is highly adaptable. Every time you learn something new, you create new neural pathways. This means you can literally rewire your brain to develop better organizational habits and skills.

Strategies for mindset shift:

• Pay attention to your inner dialogue
• Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations
• Celebrate small wins and progress
• Focus on what you're building, not what you're giving up
• Surround yourself with supportive people

3. Create a clear vision for each space and establish zones

The clearer your vision, the more intentional and "on target" your decision making will be.

Visualize your ideal space. Before organizing, take time to imagine how you want each area to look and function. Consider the purpose of the room, who will use it, and what activities will take place there. This clarity will guide your decision-making throughout the organizing process.

Create clear zones for multi-purpose spaces. When a room needs to serve multiple functions, establish distinct areas for each purpose. This approach maximizes efficiency and prevents chaos.

Steps for creating your vision:

1. Gather inspiration from photos or magazines
2. List desired characteristics (e.g., uncluttered, good flow)
3. Consider the space's visibility and who will use it
4. Identify non-negotiable items that must stay
5. Map out the room and designate zones
6. Involve family members in the planning process

4. Sort belongings and group similar items together

When you gather it all in one place, you can really see just what you have (and how much of it) and then make reasonable, informed choices about what stays and what goes.

Implement the "Like with Like" principle. Sorting items into categories allows you to see exactly what you own, preventing unnecessary purchases and making informed decisions about what to keep. This process often leads to rediscovering forgotten items and finding lost possessions.

Sorting strategies:

• Empty entire spaces to start fresh
• Create broad categories, then subcategories
• Use temporary sorting containers
• Sort one category at a time to avoid overwhelm
• Involve family members in the process

Benefits of grouping like items:

• Reveals true inventory
• Prevents overbuying
• Facilitates easier decision-making
• Streamlines the organizing process
• Helps create more effective storage solutions

5. Decide what stays and what goes based on your vision

There is power in giving yourself permission to let go of the things that no longer serve you.

Let go with purpose. Deciding what to keep and what to discard is often the most challenging part of organizing. Focus on your vision for the space and consider whether each item aligns with that goal. Remember that letting go of physical items can lead to emotional liberation and increased well-being.

Criteria for keeping items:

• Supports your vision for the space
• Currently used and needed
• Brings joy or serves a clear purpose
• Fits in the designated space

Strategies for letting go:

• Address sentimental items with compassion
• Consider donating to benefit others
• Set a deadline for selling valuable items
• Rotate children's toys to manage excess

6. Give everything a designated home

Everything deserves a home.

Create homes for your belongings. When every item has a specific place to return to, you eliminate guesswork and wasted time searching. This principle is especially powerful when applied consistently throughout your home and taught to family members.

Benefits of designated homes:

• Reduces clutter and stress
• Increases efficiency in daily tasks
• Teaches children responsibility and organization
• Prevents lost items and unnecessary replacements

Implementing the principle:

1. Assess each item's frequency of use
2. Choose logical, accessible locations
3. Use appropriate storage solutions
4. Label containers and spaces clearly
5. Communicate the system to all household members

7. Create associations between items and their locations

Creating Associations is the key to never having to utter the words "I was looking for that!" again.

Build mental connections. Establish clear associations between categories of items and their designated locations. This practice creates an internal GPS system, allowing you and your family to quickly locate needed items without wasting time and energy searching.

Benefits of creating associations:

• Reduces time spent searching for items
• Increases independence for children and family members
• Makes it easier to put things away
• Prevents misplacing items

Strategies for building associations:

• Group items by how they are used, not just what they are
• Create consistent systems throughout the home
• Use visual cues like color-coding or labels
• Regularly reinforce the associations through practice

8. Manage your space to control your inventory

Your space should determine how much inventory (things/belongings/household items/clothing/stuff) you have.

Let space guide purchasing decisions. Instead of buying items and then trying to find room for them, use your available space to determine how much you can reasonably own. This approach prevents overbuying and helps maintain organization long-term.

Space management strategies:

• Allocate specific amounts of space for each category
• Shop at home before making new purchases
• Implement a "one in, one out" rule
• Rotate seasonal items or children's toys

Benefits of managing space and inventory:

• Reduces clutter and overbuying
• Prevents expired items and waste
• Saves money on unnecessary purchases
• Makes it easier to find and use what you own

9. Always finish organizing tasks completely

The few minutes you save by not finishing the task in the moment will almost always cost you time in the end.

See tasks through to completion. Unfinished organizing tasks often lead to clutter, stress, and wasted time. By fully completing each task, you maintain the integrity of your organizing systems and prevent small issues from snowballing into larger problems.

Examples of finishing tasks:

• Folding and putting away laundry immediately
• Filing or shredding paperwork after reviewing
• Unpacking groceries and putting them away
• Returning items to their designated homes daily

Benefits of task completion:

• Maintains organized spaces long-term
• Reduces stress and mental clutter
• Saves time in the long run
• Reinforces positive organizing habits

10. Implement simple, personalized organizing systems

An organizing strategy or product is only good if it works for you. If it doesn't, don't use it, even if it works great for other people.

Tailor systems to your needs. The most effective organizing systems are those that align with your personal preferences and lifestyle. Avoid implementing overly complicated systems or using products that don't suit your habits, even if they work well for others.

Keys to successful organizing systems:

• Keep it simple (KISS method)
• Know yourself and your habits
• Choose appropriate organizing products
• Lead by example for children
• Be willing to adjust and refine systems over time

Strategies for personalization:

• Experiment with different approaches
• Consider your natural tendencies (e.g., out of sight, out of mind)
• Involve family members in system creation
• Start with small, manageable changes
• Regularly evaluate and adjust as needed

Last updated: November 2, 2024