Getting started
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
~Arthur Ashe
Your goal is to transform yourself from feeling overwhelmed by your home, into feeling calm and content while you are in it. Your goal is to transform your home by reducing clutter and organizing. You want a cozy, organized home that you enjoy being in, surrounded by things you cherish and need.
But how to start?
Step One. Decide to start. Select your project. Start small. A drawer, cupboard or your purse, for example. Make a commitment to yourself to work for 15 minutes. Set a timer.
Step Two. Prepare by looking at your project and then closing your eyes. Take 3 deep breaths. Shake your body out. Quiet your mind.
Step Three. Open your eyes and make a decision about the first thing you see. Ask yourself, “Do I want this or use this?” If you use it, ask yourself, “Where does it go when it is not being used?” Everything needs a HOME. Tidy up – put things back where they belong if it doesn’t belong where you are. If you want it, ask yourself, “Where can it go when I’m not using it?” Showcase your favourite things. If you don’t use it or want it, ask yourself “What do I do with it now?” Make piles for items that will be leaving your home. You can:
1. Put it in the garbage/recycling.
2. Donate things to a large organization like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or to smaller, local charities or causes you feel good about supporting.
3. Sell things. Have a garage sale, use a consignment store, used book store, Facebook Marketplace, Karrot or Kijiji. Remember that you will need to store these items until they sell, and that this requires further time and effort.
4. Gift things to your loved ones.
Step Four. Repeat. Keep going. Pick up the next thing you see. Continue making decisions until the timer goes off.
Step Five. Follow through. Redistribute the things that belong elsewhere in your home. Take action on the piles you made and move things out of your home as quickly as you can. Commit to decluttering and organizing your home.
Step Six. Recognize a job well done. Remind yourself that you fulfilled your commitment to start. Feel the satisfaction that comes from doing the work yourself.
Do this as often as you can. Schedule the time, 15 minutes per session. Momentum will build over time. You will become more skilled at decluttering the more you do it. Keep your goal in the front of your mind, “I will feel cozy and comfortable in this room”. Write it down, every day. Close your eyes and imagine this feeling, as often as you think to do so.
Be gentle with yourself. Your home didn’t become disorganized overnight, and it takes time to do the work yourself. Your speed will vary because some decisions will be quick and easy to make (this receipt can be shred), yet others will take more time (who would appreciate this bracelet?) And memories will surface and slow you down (like when you find a baby picture of your now-adult child).
Have fun! Consider decluttering as something you get to do, as opposed to something you have to do. Sorting through your stuff is an archeological dig into your life. You will be reminded of past experiences and the people you were with. Look for treasures. Leave behind easter eggs for the next time you organize.
Accept that organizing is not once-and-done. Just like laundry and grocery shopping, organizing never really ends. Your needs and tastes change over time. You change over time, and your home does too.
So, make a commitment to yourself. Decide to make progress. Dedicate time to work as often as you can. Be realistic and manage your time wisely. Remember that life happens and you need to be flexible. Priorities shift. Give yourself time and compassion. All progress is progress!
Looking for help to get started? Do you need a guide to begin your home organizing journey?