Why you can’t stay organized – and how to change it

I’ve had a love for organizing and home-styling from a young age. Definitely since my teenage years.

To this day my high school friend, Shannon, pokes fun at me that she’d come over to my house and I’d say something along the lines of, “Omg don’t judge me, my room is such a mess” and how the only thing out of place would be a pair of socks on my bed.

But if you ask my mother, she’d have a different recollection. Apparently, 8-year-old me would keep candy wrappers on my bedside table and call it “decoration”. Needless to say, I’ve had some growth.

There’s many factors that go into organizing and being tidy, but there’s a few key points that you might be struggling with to STAY organized. Here’s some things I’ve learned along the way.

Let’s dive in!

LACK OF CONSISTENCY:

While pretty bins, baskets & drawer dividers (my fav part) play a role in setting up systems to get you organized, they will only get you so far.

I think the biggest determinant of where people go wrong is not being consistent and self-disciplined with their new routines. It is SO easy to fall back into old patterns of tossing clothes on the infamous bedroom chair or piling dinner’s dirty dishes in the sink to be “tomorrow's problem”, but it in fact did not become tomorrow's problem. Been there, done that!

To see long lasting results requires taking action and making a commitment to ourselves. Commit to the 21/90 rule. What’s that? It’s believed to take 21 days to create a new habit and 90 days for it to become a natural part of your lifestyle. Take small steps if making too many changes feels unrealistic for you.

Organizing is a way of life, not a race with anyone else. It can be helpful to create a to-do list or setting a timer on your phone.

Schedule a time to do 10-20 minutes of ‘pick up’ around the house each day. Holding yourself accountable is how you will achieve your goals long term.

OWNING TOO MUCH STUFF:

Homes are not one size fits everything. Without honing down on what you really do and don’t need, there will always be a struggle with staying organized. I will live and die on this hill.

It’s important to be aware of how much our homes can realistically hold, and take that into consideration when deciding what will stay. We’re humans and we hold emotional attachments to things. Decide what is important to you and what items you utilize on a regular basis.

Start by picking a small area and determine what is trash. This will be the easiest stuff to part ways with. Then move onto the harder items… If you’re unsure on some items, put them aside to re-visit during your next purging session.

Decluttering is an ongoing effort in maintaining a tidy appearance. I recommend going through your home at minimum each season change. Getting started is the scariest part. However, once you begin and see improvement, this becomes an addicting and rewarding process.

NO SYSTEM IN PLACE:

Having a system that is easy to maintain for all family members is SOOO important. If you’re frequently trying to retrieve items that are at the very back of a cabinet with multiple loose items in front of it – chances are you’ll avoid using it or you definitely won’t put it back neatly.

As we evolve we’ll need to make adjustments to our systems. That is perfectly OK!

Turning to our favorite online platforms to find photo inspiration is a great way to discover organization tips. (Stay tuned as I continue to share inspo!)

Having a system in place is helpful for those days that you simply cannot give 10-20 minutes to tidying up. There’s been plenty of times where I lack motivation and drive to get out of bed. My house turns into my worst nightmare of stuff everywhere.

Once I’m in a better headspace, I pick myself up and get my house back into shape. Because everything has a place of its own, I have an easy time getting through the mess.

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together"

-- Vincent Van Gogh

I hope I've helped give you the motivation to make a 'series of small' changes within your organizing journey.

Key Benefits of a Decluttered Home

It’s the month of LOVE and there’s no better time to show ourselves some self-love quite like getting organized! So what are the benefits you might wonder?

Minimalize Stress –

Life often throws many variables at us and the amount of stress can feel endless at times. When you arrive home each day you deserve to be welcomed by a peaceful and inviting space to spend time with family. Clutter has been proven to be linked to anxiety and depression. Clearing the physical chaos can in return help clear the mind.

Productivity –

When there’s a designated spot in the home for everything, less time will be spent rummaging around looking for stuff. Everyday necessities, children's school/sports gear and travel essentials should have dedicated zones to allow for quick access in a pinch.

Clean Quicker –

Cut your cleaning routine time in half! If the countertops or floors are hidden by clutter it will inevitably take longer to clear and clean each time. If avoiding the clutter means neglecting a regular cleaning schedule, this will allow dust, allergens and bacteria to build up causing those dreadful sniffles.

Save Money –

We’ve seen a huge increase in prices for household goods in the last two years, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say, we want to keep our money for the things we actually need and enjoy. I’ve often been told by family members and clients that they’ve bought the same items over and over again, simply because they don’t remember where they’ve stored items purchased the first time.

Improved Sleep –

When we go to sleep with unfinished tasks surrounding us (piles of laundry, important paperwork, kids toys) we end our day with the daunting reminders of unfinished business. Treat your bedroom like a hotel or spa, that is where you recharge for a productive tomorrow. When experiencing a 5-star hotel, the last thing you’ll find is clutter.

Efficiency –

The clutter building up in your home is stopping you from living the way you desire! Has that spare bedroom turned into a catch all? But instead you’ve dreamed of it being a craft room or in-home gym? Freeing up prime real estate will allow your home to work for you and not against you.

Leading By Example –

As the head of the household, other family members are watching your actions and following your lead. Running a tight ship in home management creates success in other areas of life and teaching this to the little ones is a priceless gift. Use this as motivation to keep yourself accountable to your goals.

Sense of Pride –

Has your personality and style become lost in the chaos? If the well-curated look you envision your home to have is hidden, decluttering will help revive your sense of style! There’s a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when you’re proud of your home.

Overall, living an organized lifestyle will have you putting your best foot forward mentally and physically each day.

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong but sometimes it is letting go” ― Herman Hesse

HOW TO BECOME ORGANIZED IN 2023

Happy New Year and welcome to 2023! This is your year to become a more organized version of yourself!

I’m willing to bet if you’re reading this then you desire an aesthetically pleasing and well functioning home. However, you might not know wher

e or how to start. The thought of having to address closets and cabinets that have been collecting items for years, or even decades, can be extremely daunting. Does this sound familiar to you? If so, let me give you some quick tips on managing your mess!

1. Work in sections: Tackle one small room (or area) at a time. Don’t focus on your entire home from the get-go as this can very easily cause you to become overwhelmed and frustrated.

2. Make time: I get it, we’re all busy whether it be a corporate job, kids, pets (calling out my medically needy pets!) or simply making time for the activities that bring joy to our lives, but scheduling time to organize will help you make and maintain your goals.

3. Purge phase: Categorize like-items together, and then pick out your favorites. By deciding which items you absolutely LOVE allows you to see what you could probably live without.

4. Donate/Sell unwanted items: If the item is in a gently used condition, consider donating it to a local charity. You can also have a garage sale or list the item for sale online. This allows you to free up real estate in your home while helping someone else.

5. Create a system: Get creative by utilizing baskets/bins, turntables and shelving. This is especially useful to create a visually appealing appearance while maintaining easy access.

6. Intentional buying: When contemplating on buying a new item, consider where you will store it prior to buying. If you’re unsure of its home, then hold off on this purchase. Sit on the thought of whether or not you really need/want it. If after a few days you decide “YES!”, then make the space in your home for it first.

With these key steps you’re now equipped to start your new journey of living an organized lifestyle. Remember that this is a journey and not a race. If you need one on one assistance, The Organized Haus can help.