Know Thyself

1. Embrace Your Natural Organizing Style

Organization is more than a process. At its core it's a feeling, one that ebbs and flows as we endeavor to maintain balance between the stuff that comes in and the stuff that goes out.

Identify your style. Everyone has a unique organizational style, which can be categorized into personal styles (I love stuff, I love to be busy, I need to see it) and organizational styles (I know I put it somewhere, cram and jam, drop and run). Understanding your style is crucial for developing sustainable organizational systems.

Work with your tendencies. Instead of fighting against your natural inclinations, use them to your advantage. For example, if you have an "I need to see it" style, opt for open shelving or clear containers. If you're a "cram and jam" organizer, choose spacious containers that can accommodate your tendency to stuff things in.

• Personal styles: I love stuff, I love to be busy, I need to see it
• Organizational styles: I know I put it somewhere, cram and jam, drop and run
• Match your organizational tools to your style for better success

2. Start with Successes and Take Small Steps

Every small step we take brings us closer to our destination: an organized, peaceful space that we can maintain with relative ease because it makes sense to us and is built on what we do naturally.

Build on what works. Identify areas in your home or life where you're already organized and analyze why those systems are successful. Use these insights to replicate and expand your organizational success to other areas.

Embrace incremental progress. Don't try to overhaul everything at once. Instead, focus on making small, manageable improvements. This approach helps build confidence and momentum, making it easier to tackle larger organizational challenges over time.

• Start with one drawer, shelf, or small area
• Use the "Give it five!" strategy: Set a timer for five minutes and organize
• Celebrate small victories to stay motivated

3. Assign Logical Homes for Your Belongings

A logical home is one that is close to where the item is most often used; is the right size for the item; and takes into account how often the item needs to be accessed.

Create intuitive storage. When deciding where to store items, consider their frequency of use, size, and where they're typically used. This approach makes it easier to put things away and find them when needed.

Make storage accessible. Choose storage solutions that make it as easy to put things away as it is to take them out. This might mean using open baskets, drawer organizers, or hooks instead of closed containers or cabinets for frequently used items.

• Store items where you naturally use or drop them
• Choose containers that fit your style and the items they'll hold
• Make frequently used items easily accessible

4. Let Go of Unnecessary Items

Judiciously letting go of the things you don't need creates space to let the things you love shine.

Declutter regularly. Regularly assess your belongings and let go of items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. This process creates physical and mental space, making it easier to stay organized.

Find alternative solutions. If you struggle with letting things go, consider alternative approaches such as donating, recycling, or repurposing items. This can make the process feel less like a loss and more like a positive action.

• Start with obvious candidates: broken items, duplicates, expired goods
• Use the "one in, one out" rule when acquiring new items
• Set up a donation box for easy decluttering

5. Develop Easy Upkeep Habits

Easy Upkeep doesn't mean things will be perfect all the time. What it does mean is that you have a system in place that works for you, and when things begin to feel disorganized, you know what to do to set them right.

Create sustainable routines. Develop simple, daily habits that help maintain organization. These might include putting things away immediately after use, doing a quick tidy-up before bed, or regularly reviewing and updating your organizational systems.

Adjust as needed. Recognize that your organizational needs may change over time. Be willing to reassess and modify your systems to ensure they continue to work for you.

• Implement the "Don't put it down, put it away" rule
• Schedule regular maintenance sessions for problem areas
• Be flexible and willing to adapt your systems as needed

6. Overcome Common Organizing Obstacles

Every imperfect solution gives us clues to one that's better.

Identify challenges. Common obstacles include lack of time, insufficient space, conflicting styles within a household, and seasonal changes. Recognizing these challenges is the first step in overcoming them.

Develop targeted solutions. Once you've identified your specific obstacles, brainstorm solutions that work with your style and situation. This might involve adjusting your expectations, finding creative storage solutions, or negotiating with family members.

• For time constraints: Use small pockets of time effectively
• For space limitations: Maximize vertical storage and multi-functional furniture
• For conflicting styles: Find compromise solutions that respect everyone's needs

7. Teach Children Organizational Skills

Organizing by STYLE is built around the idea that when it comes to organizing, one size does not fit all.

Respect individual styles. Recognize that children, like adults, have their own organizational styles. Help them identify their preferences and develop systems that work for them, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Encourage ownership. Involve children in the process of creating and maintaining their organizational systems. This fosters a sense of responsibility and makes it more likely that they'll stick to the systems.

• Help children identify their personal and organizational styles
• Allow them to choose their own organizing tools and containers
• Teach the STYLE process: Start with successes, Take small steps, Yes it has a home, Let it go, Easy upkeep

8. Manage Time Effectively with Lists and Planners

Just as our styles guide our choices of the tools we use for keeping our stuff organized, they also guide our choices when it comes to list-making and planners.

Customize your approach. Choose time management tools that align with your personal and organizational styles. This might mean using a digital planner, a paper notebook, or a combination of methods.

Make lists work for you. Experiment with different list-making techniques to find what works best for you. This could include using color-coding, creating separate lists for different areas of your life, or using a master list with subcategories.

• For "I need to see it" styles: Use visible lists or planners
• For "I love to be busy" styles: Combine lists with your calendar
• For "I know I put it somewhere" styles: Establish consistent locations for your lists

Last updated: July 31, 2024