Spring into Organization
Simple steps for a clutter-free and peaceful home
Spring is that wonderful time of the year when the flowers start to bloom, bright sunshine is back, and the days get longer. Something else happens this time of the year. The stress of being disorganized shines through. The bright sunshine of spring magnifies the clutter hidden by the darkness of winter. Getting organized can bring the calm and peace we all desire to a very chaotic life.
By following the plan below, you can clean up the clutter and bring the calm of an organized space back into your home.
Here are the steps toward a clutter-free and peaceful living space:
Select an area or space to organize. If there are many areas from which to choose, start with the area that is causing you the most stress.
Plan on a day you want to start. Involve your family, ask a friend, or hire a professional organizer to help you through the process.
Determine the length of time you want to work. It is important to schedule a specific amount of time such as 15 minutes, an hour, or whatever time works for you. Try not to get discouraged. Remember, it took time for clutter to build up so, it will take time to eliminate it as well. The key to success is to start small and work your way through an area before starting on a new area.
Sort and purge placing like items together. When considering what to do with each item, ask yourself, “When is the last time I used this item?” “Do I love it?” and “Why should I keep it?” Make sure to have a trash can or bag handy so you can dispose of no longer useful items immediately. Consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition.
Purchase containers and or tools. Locate containers in which to store your sorted items. Be creative when selecting containers. Containers could be baskets, jars, shoe boxes, file folders, or freezer bags. Clearly label each container so that it is easy to identify exactly what is stored inside. Place containers in or near the area where the contents would be used.
Remember to open the windows, turn on the music, and let the sunshine in!
As you move through this process, remember that organization is not about perfection.
You are creating a space that supports how you live, think, and move through your day, and small, consistent steps will always outperform overwhelming, one-time efforts. While your overall goal is an organized home for the season, you are also developing a system you can maintain long after spring has passed.
Permit yourself to start where you are, use what you have, and build a space that feels as good as it looks.
Absoulute Organizing Solutions provides productivity workshops, hands-on professional organizing and records and paper management services.
Vernestine Laughinghouse, Certified Professional Organizer®
Phone: (202) 291-7025
Email: aos@absouluteorg.com