Organize + Energize: 3 Organizing Rrojects to Tackle This Fall
Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert
Organize + Energize: 3 Organizing Rrojects to Tackle This Fall
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Hall closets. If you keep seasonal items in your hall closet, this is a great time to make the transition. Empty the entire closet and start decluttering and categorizing. Once empty, give it a good cleaning and take a look at your empty space and think about how you want to function going forward. What lived there before, doesn’t necessarily need to go back into the closet. Don’t let this closet become a drop spot for random items. Create an organized and efficient space.
Basement. Before winter hits, it’s a great time to declutter and organize your basement. Usually, the basement becomes a black hole of things that we no longer need, but don’t want to get rid of. Most continually throw items into the basement and run back upstairs because the thought of dealing with everything is too overwhelming. Stop procrastinating and make a plan to tackle it.
Clothes. It’s time to rotate your wardrobe. Even if you keep all seasons of clothes in the closet, it’s always good to take everything out. Ttouch every piece, evaluate what you’re wearing and not wearing and declutter and re-organize for the fall/winter season. While you’re in the closet, step outside and take a look at what’s going on in your bedroom. Does it bring you peace or stress? If it’s the latter, take a look at what’s stressing you out and make a plan to tackle that also.
Mark these projects on your calendar. Before you know it, the holidays will be here and you’ll have other tasks that will take priority. Think about the end result and how you’ll feel after you’re finished. Most times we waste energy procrastinating about these projects. They take up space in our heads and cause us stress just thinking about it. Make a plan, schedule the projects, limit your distractions, stay focused and cross these projects off your to-do list.
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5 Organizing Blunders
Not planning ahead
Getting organized is a process and you have to have a plan on how to conquer your project. You can’t tear apart an entire room all at once. You need to break the project down into small pieces. Plan to tackle your project in 3-hour increments. If you work longer than 3 hours at a time, you are setting yourself up for burnout. Plan ahead to try to avoid distractions and stay focused.
Click here for more tips on how to avoid distractions.
Purchasing the incorrect supplies
I know you are excited to get organized, but don’t rush out to the store and purchase products just because you like the way they look. Get organized first. Figure out what you need to contain, and then purchase your container to match the items you need it to hold.
Click here for more on choosing the right container.
Not letting others know about your system
Once you set up the organized system, you have to get everybody in your home on board. Show them the systems and how you are going to function with this system going forward. Label everything if you must, so everybody gets in the habit of putting items away. Remember, the simpler the system, the easier it’s going to be to maintain.
Need help creating those systems? Go here.
Not maximizing your space
Use every inch of space and use it well. Take everything out of the area you are organizing. You can’t get a clear visual of the space if it is filled with clutter. Shifting items around is not going to work.
Here are more tips on maximizing your space.
Repeatedly clearing spaces
You are creating more work for yourself if you continue to clear spaces once a month. Create a system and allow everything in your home to have its own place, and you will never have to clear a space again.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on Mondays at 8:30am on www.talkstreamradio.com.
