The First Steps

Greetings and welcome to my blog. My intent behind this blog is to help people get organized. So, in light of that, I would like to organize these statements about organization for you (say that three times fast!):

Organizing takes money! 

This is false. All those ads and people you see who tell you that in order to get organized you have to go out and spend a ton of money on big, little, and medium plastic containers are wrong. In fact, I aim to prove that what you need can either be found in your home or at a dollar store (and not one of those “we round it up to the nearest dollar” stores. A true dollar store, where everything is a dollar). But I get ahead of myself. More on this later.

Organizing takes SO much time!

This is true and false. Yes, it takes a lot of time, but you don’t have to do it all at once. A friend of mine was complaining about how she needed to organize her closet, but didn't have the six hours needed to do it. My reply was, “Do it in 15 to 20 minute bursts”. Now, for those out there who are completionists, this may drive you mad. You'll feel like you have to schedule six hours to complete that closet. Or, you can do what I do - because I'm a completionist as well -  and break the job up.  

For example: If you are working on your closet, divide each side into fourths. Make each shelf its own task. Make the floor another one entirely. This way you can feel you completed a job without completing the closet. 

I could never organize it so that it looks nice! 

SO untrue! I am here to tell you that organizing things is easy. I can help anyone organize anything with just a few minutes and some dedication on your part.

So, you’re pumped! You’re psyched! You want to organize something!  In order to organize, you need to ask a few questions about yourself and the job. First, ask yourself, “Am I willing to do it?” This is the question that stops most people. If that answer is "no", then hire a professional to do it for you. (If you're in Cincinnati you can even hire me!) If the answer is "yes", here are some other questions you need to ask.  I will start with the second one and continue these in my next post.

Is there too much stuff for this space? 

If the answer is "no", then you are good to proceed. If things are pouring out of the closet and you can’t shut the door or see the floor, you need to go through it all. Going through stuff can be hard. Grab a friend if you have trouble letting go of things; he or she can help you with a more impartial perspective. Look at items and ask, “When did I last use this?” And, “Will I use this again soon?” If you haven’t used something in a long time or if it isn’t useful in the foreseeable future, it's time to get rid of it. Donate it, trash it, give it to the friend who is helping you. (Disclaimer: this does not apply to things like holiday decorations or items you normally only use once a year)

If it is something you do use, how often do you use it? Do you have something else that could take its place? (Example: 4 different types of razors underneath your bathroom sink) if so, time for it to go!

When it comes to clothes, if it is a size too large or too small for you, it can stay. Otherwise, time for it to go. Those jeans from high school aren’t going to fit you if they don’t fit you now.  No, legwarmers AREN’T coming back into style, especially not in neon green. Yes, you could use them for a costume, but will you?

There are good ways to trim down your life and, be honest: If you’re not a monk, who couldn’t use getting rid of some things?

Thank you for stopping by, and I promise more good times to come. If you have something specific you would like to request or a question you desperately need answered, feel free to comment or contact me. Happy Organizing!