Hello dear reader! It’s me again, back with another post on a topic so many of us can relate to – feeling completely disorganized and surrounded by clutter.
I don’t know about you, but keeping my home and life tidy has always been a challenge for me. No matter how hard I try to stay on top of things, I inevitably end up with piles of paper on my desk, overflowing closets, and more stuff than I know what to do with. Sound familiar? If so, you’re definitely not alone.
The truth is, many people struggle with keeping an organized home and life. In fact, a recent survey found that 78% of Americans feel their home is too cluttered.
But why is organization so difficult? What causes us to become disorganized and surround ourselves with stuff we don’t need? There are a few key reasons:
Lack of Systems
Many of us simply don’t have effective systems in place to keep things organized. We don’t have a designated spot for our keys, papers, mail, etc., so these items end up scattered throughout our home. Without systems like labeled storage containers, filing cabinets, and calendar reminders, organizing is an uphill battle.
Time Constraints
Let’s be honest, we’re all busy these days. Between work, family, and other obligations, few of us have copious free time to tidy and declutter. Organization takes effort and time we often don’t feel we have. So things pile up and before we know it, we’re buried in clutter.
Stress and Mental Health
Stress, depression, and anxiety can also contribute to disorganization. When we’re not in a good headspace, it’s hard to find the motivation to tackle clutter and messes. Additionally, disorganization itself can be a source of stress and overwhelm. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Sentimentality
Many of us struggle to get rid of things because we form emotional attachments or have sentimental value connected to our belongings. So we end up keeping more than we need – despite the clutter it creates – because we have a hard time parting with these items.
Lack of Focus
In our busy, digital world filled with distractions, it’s tough to focus and stay on task. Organization and decluttering require focussed effort. With push notifications on our phones constantly breaking our concentration, it’s no wonder staying organized is such a challenge!
Perfectionism
For some people, perfectionism and unrealistic standards contribute to disorganization. If our vision of a tidy home requires everything look magazine-worthy at all times, we’ll inevitably fall short. This can make us feel defeated and reluctant to even try organizing.
Acquiring Too Much Stuff
From online shopping to gifts and more, it’s easy to acquire too much stuff these days. All this excess stuff has to go somewhere – usually cluttering our homes when we don’t really need it.
So those are some of the big reasons organizing can feel so hard for many of us. But the good news is with the right strategies, it is possible to create and maintain an organized home and life!
Here are my TOP TIPS for finally getting organized:
1. Start small. Tackle one area, drawer, or pile at a time instead of trying to organize everything at once. Small victories keep you motivated.
2. Declutter first. Go through each space and be ruthless about getting rid of what you don’t use or need. Less stuff = less clutter.
3. Create homes for your belongings. Use organizers, bins, baskets, and storage furniture to designate a “home” for everything.
4. Schedule time to organize. Block time on your calendar for organizing activities like filing papers, tidying, and decluttering – and treat this time like an important appointment.
5. Establish daily habits. Follow the “one touch rule” – when you use something, put it back in its designated home right away. Regular maintenance is key.
6. Let go of perfectionism. Your home doesn’t need to look like a model at all times. Focus on function over perfectionism.
7. Involve the whole family. Give everyone age-appropriate organizing tasks like cleaning their room, putting away toys, taking out trash, etc. Shared responsibility is crucial.
8. Limit acquiring more stuff. Be selective about what you bring into your home to avoid creating more clutter. Do you really need another trinket?
9. Deal with papers ASAP. Implement a system to sort mail quickly and don’t let papers pile up. File or shred documents right away.
10. Take breaks when needed. If you start feeling overwhelmed, pause and take a breather. Organization should energize, not stress you out.
I hope these tips help you tackle the clutter and finally create order in your home and life! Remember, be patient with yourself and take it one step at a time. If you stay consistent with small daily habits, you’ll start to notice a big difference. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins! You’ve got this. What about you – do you struggle to stay organized? What clutter bugs you the most? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments! I love hearing from you!
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