Get Organized Week – Cut Clutter and Improve Your Efficiency

Clutter may be costing you a lot – and not just financially!  It can seem overwhelming to get everything cleaned up and organized, but the benefits far outweigh the time and effort involved.

In fact, the majority of lifestyle experts agree that there are several awesome benefits to getting and staying organized. Here are the top five:

1. It helps you maintain a more balanced life, with your habits, moods and social obligations.
2. It inspires you to be more a lot more productive and meet your goals.
3. It streamlines the management of your priorities and unplanned events.
4. It takes most of the guesswork out of your everyday activities.
5. It can make you look better to the people paying attention to you.

No matter how you look at it, being systematic about how your home and closet are set up is the best way to enjoy the fruits of your labor. The trouble is that a lot of folks have no idea where to begin and are overwhelmed by the thought of tackling such a chaotic project. The struggle is real, y’all!

All around the world, people are celebrating #GetOrganizedWeek during the first seven days of October. Meanwhile, I’m sitting over here trying to participate in the festivities even though my closet looks like the aftermath of a natural disaster. It’s a good thing I have a few organizing tricks up my sleeve!

The Four Best Ways to Get Organized

Have you ever heard the phrase, “there’s more than one way to cook a chicken”?  It means that there are multiple ways to come to the same conclusion. However, getting organized usually requires consistent habits and lifestyle changes to make it work. It’s not always easy or fun, but it’s certainly necessary. Get a jumpstart on October’s Organization Olympics by using the following three tips and tricks:

1. Pick your places.

As a general rule, all of your belongings should have a unique place in your home. That includes everything from car keys, shoes and handbags to spare parts, cell phones and dirty laundry. Designate a special spot for everything you own and then train yourself to place that item in the same spot every time you’re done using it.

According to psychologists, new habits like this can take anywhere from 21 to 90 days to fully manifest, so start practicing now! October will be over before you know it and the holidays are notorious for creating clutter.

POP QUIZ: Let’s say you’re looking for a specific pair of scissors and can’t seem to find them. How much less frustrated would you be right now if you left them in a previously selected area that they stay in at all times? I’ll wait. 

2. Clean as you go.

Typically, it’s easier to get or stay organized when you pick up after yourself as you go. That usually involves throwing things away, wiping surfaces down, and re-stacking collections immediately after “disturbing their peace.” It may seem like a big ordeal, but managing cleaning and organization tasks is one of the best ways to stay on top of things while you’re busy or multi-tasking.

POP QUIZ: Let’s say you’re cooking a delicious meal for your family and it’s creating quite a stir in the kitchen. Which would be easier – Cleaning up as you go or tackling the disaster at the end of the night when everyone is sleepy, stuffed, and chatty? That, my friend, is how leftover, lingering messes and disorganized, disheveled homes are made.

3. Throw away the bones.

Keeping items that you no longer use is a quick way to watch your house turn into a disorganized train wreck. I like to use the one-year guideline to stay on top of things, especially since I love to shop. If I haven’t used it in the last year or don’t plan to use it in the next year, I throw it away, donate it, or sell it. This habit keeps my home looking and functioning efficiently.  If you’re looking for a great place to sell used designer clothes, try TheRealReal.

POP QUIZ: Let’s say that you need a good place to put something you really want to keep. How frustrating do you think it will be when you don’t have anywhere to put it because your house is full of items you never use?

4. Hire a professional organizer.

When a clutter job is too big, overwhelming, or you simply don’t have time to tackle a large project, there are plenty of professional organizers you can hire. There’s actually a National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) with a comprehensive website that allows you to enter a zip code and find a list of reputable organizers that have completed NAPO University and are legit organizing experts.

Fun Fact: I took the course and got my certification about 8 years ago just because I was curious about the process. Trust me when I say it was hard!  And don’t hire me, lol!

If you live in the DFW area, I can personally recommend Jamie Kisler and her entire team at Incredibly Organized. Not only are they the most reputable in the pickiest of Dallas circles, you’ll fall in love with their infectious personality and genuine passion for tackling the messiest of spaces. TRUST is of the utmost importance when hiring someone to come and go through personal spaces inside your home, so choose wisely and interview several before hiring.

My Favorite Organization Products

While organization is more about habits and discipline than trendy products, they do play an important role. Here are a few of my favorite tools to help me stay organized:

• A lazy susan.  It’s perfect for spices, snacks, beauty products, and toiletries.  All you have to do is spin it around to find your favorite lipstick.
• Stackable jewelry trays.  They can slide into your drawers, keep your jewelry visible, and ensure your necklaces don’t get tangled!.
• A good closet organization system.  They can be configured to fit your available space and the types of clothes and accessories that you own.
• Clear canisters.  They help you see the available food in your pantry and look gorgeous!
• An under-the-sink organizer.  This is a great way to take advantage of the cramped space around your pipes.
• Foldable drawer dividers.  Keep your accessories and clothes organized and grab what you need right away.

Inspirational Instagrams

Want some inspiration?  Here are a few of my favorite organizers to follow on Insta:

• Marie Kondo, the queen of all things organization
• Incredibly Organized, for Dallas peeps looking for the best professional organizer
• The Neat Method, for inspiration and gorgeous photos
• The Home Edit, for bright, colorful pictures
• Organizing Stories, who provide actionable tips and tricks

Wrapping it Up

Like a pro, you have to be disciplined if you want to be organized. You must be willing to create new habits and encourage those around you to do the same. Most likely, you’ve invested a lot of money in the items around your home, so take care of those things and display them proudly by getting and staying organized. It’ll save you time, money, and headaches!