From the Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center – Divinely Organized
Simple Rules Of Organization
Let’s be honest. If you are like me, you get tired of rules. Traffic rules, rules on your job, the rules of just living in this universe with others. Rules, rules everywhere. The last thing you want, if you are an adult, well children too, are more rules when you get home. Your personal sanctuary should not have rules…right? Wrong!
The thing is, if you’re serious about home organization, then there are some specific rules you’ll want to follow. Trust me, these rules will make your life easier and once you get into them, they can help to remove the stress of clutter and in some cases, mess that can be very distracting and come with a host of rules of its own. 😉
There are affiliate links within this post. However, all opinions and ideas are my own. Clicking on and using the links to purchase products does not increase your cost at all. I appreciate your support.
You’ll see how much easier organization will be by taking the following simple steps…I promise!
Home Organizing Rule #1:
“Touch it Once!”
Do not procrastinate. Procrastination causes the dreaded piles because something is being put off until later. It could be a little laziness (I know I can be sometimes), but more often it’s due to lack of time.
The thing is, this rule will actually save you time.
Know this – everything you put off until later, you’re touching more than once and that is a waste of time. I’ve found that if you handle junk mail, bills, kid’s papers from school, etc., only once it saves time and avoids a messy work station or home center. Make sure you put things where they need to go the first time you touch them.
Why?
Because if you do not spend that couple of seconds today, you could waste thirty minutes tomorrow.
For example…
You come home, throw the shirt on the bed because you’re going to hang it up or throw it in the laundry basket later.
Or you shove it on a shelf in the closet and will hang it later.
Not good.
Grove Collaborative/Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Products
This becomes two or more steps when it should be one. Common sense? Of course.
But few practice this simple rule of home organization. It’s called maintenance. Once a space is decluttered and organized, it must be maintained and the best way to do that is to follow the “touch it once rule”.
Touch it once. The coffee cup goes in the dishwasher, not on the counter and into the dishwasher later.
The mail coming in the house should be dealt with immediately…not added to a pile where you touch it more than once for no reason at all other than procrastination. Got it? Of course, you do.
Home Organizing Rule #2:
Keep things together that belong together.
Sweaters with sweaters. Shirts with shirts. One shelf for snacks and a shelf for cans.
Take a look around a fancy clothing store.
They’re designed to help you (the customer) find exactly what you need.
Wouldn’t it be nice to find whatever it is you’re looking for in a matter of seconds at home too? Yesssss it would!
Same goes for a grocery store. If the shelves were not organized, these stores would go broke because nobody would be able to find a thing.
You may not go out of business if your home is disorganized, but you will certainly have a business that is not functioning at its full potential.
Home Organizing Rule #3
Organize ONLY one space at a time.
Now, this is a rule that I have stressed and preached forever. Work on one small space at a time in set increments and try and do it every single day. It might only be for fifteen or twenty minutes, but the key is to get something organized every day and make it consistent. See that word “consistent?” It is my word for 2019. Join me and let’s be consistent about the important things in our lives.
If you try and tackle too much at once, you won’t get done because of an already hectic schedule. And you may feel overwhelmed. Incomplete tasks are discouraging and you might just give up.
The smaller the task, the easier to complete
And the better you’ll feel.
Often organizing something as small as a junk drawer or even your wallet/purse can give you the boost in motivation to “step it up” into a bigger project. I know you’ve heard this before but that’s because it works.
If you have to do the junk drawer over a two day period, big deal? Take two days to do it. Getting it done is the key. One small step at a time.
Never miss another article, tip, real-life experience or project. Get them delivered directly to your email. Subscribe today! And let’s stay connected.
Until next time…I remain in my Element – God Bless!
Published:
Interviewed/Featured:
Homeyou
WPBlogging 360
Hobsess
Share this post with your friends. I greatly appreciate it.
Hugs & Blessings,
Great tips! Speaking of junk mail, we get tons of it, such a waste of paper! Shared ♥
Yes I hate junk mail an I hate junk mobile phone calls. I have filled out the forms to opt out of the calls and I still get them. Makes me not want to answer my phone. And I don’t usually if I don’t know the number. Both are so annoying. Thanks for stopping by.
I love these tips. The touch it once tip is one that I am still working on! But, I have hope.
I don’t get as much junk mail as I used to thank goodness. My favorite peeve now is computers calling me. GRR! Great tips – shared.
*waving* Hi Carol, I hate robo calls too. Drives me nuts. I do not answer my phone anymore unless I recognize the number because of that. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks for stopping in.
Great ideas Clearissa. I agree that tackling one area at a time helps keep me focused. I used to start organizing in one spot and before I knew it I was all over the place making bigger messes. Great tips.
Thanks Sylvia. I’m happy you enjoyed the post. Organization isn’t difficult once you know the rules. Thank you so much for stopping by. I really appreciate you.