Get into the decluttering mindset

Decluttering is an important step to getting organized – and it’s also one of the hardest. Most often, it is difficult for people to part with the items they own because people are sentimentally attached to them, they think they may need them, or they simply no longer notice them. However, these items are taking up unnecessary space in homes and in lives. In order to be successful at decluttering, it is important to get in the right mind set. People need to open themselves to thinking about decluttering in a new way. Not necessarily as getting rid of personal items but creating the home and space that they want.

Think of getting organized as ‘what you think is what you create.’ In other words, the best way to start decluttering is to have a clear vision of what a home or space should look like, and then working towards achieving that vision. People should think about what they really want in their lives – is it an organized kitchen, a tidy bedroom, or a clean garage? Whatever the organization goal is, defining a clear vision and getting into a positive frame of mind can help people get motivated to act.

 Once a person can visualize their goal of an organized home or space, it is easier to go through the process of decluttering personal items and donating or discarding what is no longer needed or useful. If a person doesn’t feel motivated or can’t understand the impact of decluttering, the process will not be successful, and it will be even more difficult to achieve and sustain the organized space.  

For example, if the goal is to organize a bedroom closet, and the first step is to declutter clothing, shoes, and accessories, it is important to first is to think about what that space should look like – neat, organized, and not overflowing with clothes and other items. With a vision of what the space could look like, it is easy to find the motivation to go through the items in the closet and discard the items that are no longer used or worn. Having a vision brings people to the point of action and shows the potential a closet or any space in a home can have to be organized. Now, decluttering isn’t a chore but an important step to achieve a goal.

When it comes to decluttering, it is helpful for people to make sure they are in the right mind set. Often, this process can be difficult and disheartening – it is challenging to go through personal belongings, some which have been purchased individually but others which have been passed down from family or given as gifts. However, decluttering is an essential part of getting organized. By creating a vision for how an organized home or space can look, it is easier for an individual to get motivated to declutter. A more positive frame of mind can make all the difference when decluttering. It helps clear sentimental attachments or thoughts of “I might need this in the future” or “someone gave this to me, so I should hold onto it.” Get into the decluttering mind set and achieve your goal for an organized and clutter-free space!

Having a place for everything sets you up for success

Why is space planning so important? Having a designated space for all of your items – whether it be the furniture in your living room or the dishes in your kitchen – will ensure that your home is organized and free of clutter. Proper storage solutions and room layouts can go a long way to making your daily life stress-free and organized because you will be able to find the items you are looking for quickly, they will have a smaller chance of getting lost or damaged, and you will be more inclined to put things away and prevent clutter from accumulating.

When items have their own place, it is easier to follow an important guideline for staying organized: keep like items together. For example, if you have a closet set-up to store linens, it is a good idea to make sure all of your linens are stored in there. This way, you can easily find the linens you need without having to check multiple rooms or closets for what you are looking for. However, this can be difficult if you either don’t have a designated linen closet to begin with, or have a closet that isn’t big enough to store all of your linens.

A designated space is also essential to prevent clutter. Having a specific storage space for items will encourage you and your family to put items away after they are used, because you know where they are supposed to go. When it isn’t clear where an object is meant to go, or there isn’t sufficient space to store it, or it is out of the way, people can be less inclined to take that extra step to try and put items away when they are done with them. However, if there is a specific shelf or cupboard for an item that provides space and is easy to access, people will be more likely to tidy up after themselves.

Consider an area in your home that is used regularly, like a toy room – when kids have toys that need to be stored in an overflowing toy bin, or in a cupboard that is out of reach, they won’t want to put things away because it isn’t quick or easy. With properly planned storage like a shelving unit with different compartments and lower height, clean-up is a lot more appealing.

Proper storage also means that your items are better protected. Instead of shoving them into a drawer that isn’t deep enough or leaving them out to get banged up or scuffed, storing them in a place where they fit properly will ensure your items last longer. Calm Order can work with you and your design team to create an organizing solution that has the dimensions and layout to fit your belongings and lifestyle.

Whether you are building, renovating or moving, Calm Order can set you up for success by working with you to create storage solutions and home layouts that are organized and functional. 

Setting goals for the New Year

Now that the New Year is here, it’s time to put your goals into action! In our previous post, we talked about how to plan for new goals and resolutions – but now it is time to start working towards your goal. Planning is important, but putting your plans into action is another challenge. Follow these steps to make sure you stay on track and maintain your goals throughout the year:

Set manageable goals

As we mentioned in our post on planning for New Year resolutions, one of the most important parts of setting a goal is to make sure it is manageable. Goals are supposed to be set benchmarks or targets that you want to reach by the end of the year or a certain period of time. In order for them to be successful, make sure that your goals are actually achievable, and something that you can work towards and stay focused on. You shouldn’t have to be changing or adapting your goals because you don’t have the time or energy to work on them. When you set your goal, make sure you have the resources, means and motivation to achieve your goal. You need to make sure you have time to work towards it, and support from friends and family to see it through.

For example, if your goal is to get organized, make sure you are able to set aside time each day or week to work on a section of your home. Do you have a full-time job or activity that will prevent you from working towards your goal? Is it a goal that you can accomplish in one year, or should you dedicate more time to it?

Have realistic expectations

When setting a goal, know that it is something you are not going to achieve overnight, or probably even at the end of the month. Goals are usually set for a year, or even longer, for a reason. They take time and dedication to see them through. Prepare yourself for a long road ahead and be realistic about how long and how challenging it may be to accomplish. Don’t expect to see a noticeable change or result at the end of the first week. Visible changes will take time, so remind yourself throughout the process that results will happen if you keep working and stay focused. Goals are not tasks that you can accomplish right away, but rather year-long or more commitments that you will need to spend time on in order to see results.

If your goal is to get organized, it’s important to realize that it won’t take a few quick steps to accomplish. Getting organized and maintaining your organized home or life requires time and effort. For example, it’s almost impossible to tackle your entire home right away. Instead, start with small, simple tasks (like the junk drawer or kitchen pantry) and work up to larger projects. By being realistic about the process of getting organized, you will be more successful in achieving your goal.

Make goals attainable

It’s important to be practical about the timeline of your goal. Don’t underestimate how long it will take you to see noticeable changes. It is unreasonable to think that you will have your whole house organized by the end of the first month. Not only is it a lot of work to complete, but problems or life events may come up during the process which can delay your timeline. Make sure your goal is attainable – give yourself enough time, or more time than you would expect. This way, you will have a better chance of achieving your goal and prevent yourself from becoming discouraged or stressed out when your planned timeline comes quicker than expected.

It may also be helpful to work with a friend or family member to achieve your goal. Trying to complete it on your own may not be practical for you, so consider finding another person to work on this goal with you. Setting a goal as a team works great for home organizing. Not only will this help you attain your goal, but it will ensure that everyone in your home continues to maintain your organized state beyond your anticipated completion date.

Remember: small, consistent changes create big everlasting results

When you are working towards your goal, stay focused and know that each milestone you hit and each small change or task you accomplish helps you work towards your final goal. Producing small results on a continual basis can help you stay on track without overwhelming you during the process. For example, during the month of January, Calm Order is posting small organization tasks you can accomplish each day to help you get your home organized. Although one month doesn’t cover every small task that needs to be completed, the idea of organizing one small section or area at a time will eventually lead to a home that is completely organized. Take the idea of doing one small task each day and continue it throughout the year or time period you have set for yourself.

When you set a goal for this year, make sure that it is manageable and attainable. Be realistic about your progress and what you will be able to achieve in the time you have set for yourself, and remember that small accomplishments will lead to big and lasting change when your goal is finally realized.