JSM HOME
Every year when Spring comes around (March 20th, this year), we do what we can to try to cleanse ourselves of all our winter hibernation clutter from our homes, apartments, cars, and our lives. Most of the time we hope that New Year resolutions will fix this problem, but there is a lot that a little sunshine and warmer weather can do to help you be more optimistic about your aspirations to become more organized. Let's go over some things that you can do to help yourself get Spring started off the right way.
Don't Confuse "Clean" & "Organized"
This particular topic is something I confuse every day. I am someone who considers myself an organized person. However, the piles of neatly lined up clothes on top of the dresser doesn't mean that I'm organized. Or stacking all of my home magazines on my coffee table doesn't count as organized either. As my husband loves to always tell me, everything needs a "home". And he's right. If you find that your counter or dresser space--or just any surface in general--is getting filled up then it's time to designate a spot for those things. As you find a home for all your things, the clutter will begin to disappear.
Shopping First, Organizing Second
I am most certainly guilty of doing this. I would like to blame Target and my impulse shopping, but it's really just my desire to get organized and my solution is purchasing storage bins or crates to organize things when I don't need them at all. You first need to organize your clutter and pitch the things you don't need before you go out and purchase other products to help you get organized. That way, you'll buy only what you need.
Check Labels
While this likely isn't a huge issue, it is something good to get in the habit of doing more often than once a year, but you should always be paying attention to an expiration label. Whether it's a protein powder or a jar of applesauce you need to take a glance at the label every now and then, especially if you haven't used it in a while. It's better to simply pitch it and purchase a new one when you will actually need it. And if you know that you are likely to stop taking it or you never saw the benefit of having it in the first place then it might be a sign to not buy the item again.
Displaying Every Book You Own
Being a bookworm myself, I have a difficult time not wanting to put every book I own out for people to see. While I'm proud of my collection, all of them don't need to be out. You have to be able to let go. Donate old books, especially ones you have grown out of or set them in a storage container and store them away until you decide what you would like to do with them. This concept applies to other things like collections of photos or vases or albums. It doesn't all need to be out. If 80% of your space is taken up by your things, then it's too full.
Letting Laundry Linger
When the laundry room is downstairs, across the street, or even having to commute to a laundromat causes piles of-folded clothes to accumulate. Do your best to get into the habit of just doing it right away. Once I have enough of a certain type of load (colors, whites, sheets, towels, darks, etc...), I immediately get it into the washer and when it's done and ready to be folded, I do it right away and then put each item in its appropriate drawer before it clutters up my dresser, bed, or "the chair".
Messy Under-Bed Boxes
I am a big believer in taking advantage of under-bed storage. But while it is great, exposed boxes or bins can make a bedroom look cluttered. While I'm sure my cat enjoys being able to peak out at the world from under my bed, adding a bed skirt or organize the chaos underneath to be more contained is more ideal. Another option if under-bed storage isn't going to work for you, look into getting a storage bench at the end of your bed.
Too Much Stuff
There's a reason people love staying in hotels. It's an escape from your own cluttered space, but you can have this at home, you just have to have less stuff. Easier said than done, right? Do your best to not hold onto things, especially little knick-knacks or broken things. Find things you can donate or pack up to go in storage. There's nothing wrong with holding on to your trophies, but until you have the space to display them, put them away and out of sight.
Waiting Until Tomorrow
Staying organized is easy if you do something every day. I am an avid procrastinator and every day is a constant motivation to get things done that need to be attended to. Staying organized requires continuous maintenance. For every hour we spend organizing we save 3-4 hours. Try spending just 5 minutes tidying up your junk drawer or even cleaning out your purse or wallet. 10 to 20 minutes here and there will make all the difference.
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