It happens to the
best of us. We're so busy with our summer events and daily to-do lists
that things get a little out of place and out of hand. Before you know
it, summer's over–and the unresolved clutter from one season starts
spilling over into the next.
Preventing this problem is easier said than done. Being organized
takes time and energy. And if you haven't done it in a while, it can
leave you wondering where you should start and how to get through it.
That's where the advice from a professional comes in. So to help you
tackle even the toughest organizational challenges, we interviewed
Allison Carter, Chief Executive Organizer and owner of The Professional Organizer, a company that trains and licenses organizers and is dedicated to helping people get organized.
What Should You Do Right Now–Before Summer Ends?
Allison Carter explained that this time of year is crucial to
maintaining an organized, clutter-free home heading into the next
season. "Before winter, there are some areas of the home, inside and
out, that generally need to be cleaned up and cleaned out," Carter
stated.
So before you get overwhelmed with other projects or areas of the
house you may have been putting off, start with these 5 simple areas
before summer ends:
1. The Garden–Gardening
hasn't ended until your beds are cleared out and the bulbs are planted.
Once that's done, set aside some time to discard the containers you no
longer need. Sweep up. Organize seeds and equipment so you know where
everything is next year when the warm weather returns.
2. The Closet–As
fall approaches, look through the summer clothes you didn't wear even
once this year. This is a good time to purge the unloved clothing and
donate to someone who can love it. If you store off-season clothing,
you can begin the process by storing the clothes that only get worn in
summer such as shorts, bathing suits, beach cover-ups, tank tops, and
those white shoes.
3. Pool and Water Toys–Pool
related toys and equipment should be dried and put into storage bins
for re-use next year. Remember to keep it all together, so it's easy to
dig out the next time the thermometer climbs back up.
4. Heating–Now
is the best time to check your heating and air system, clean out ducts,
and perform any maintenance or repairs that are needed. It's also a
good time to change your smoke alarm batteries.
5. The Desk–You
know they're coming, so why not get ready for those school papers to
flow in. Set up an "in box" for each child's papers to be processed.
Set up a "keep" box or file for each child's art or paperwork that you
want to hold onto for long-term keepsakes.
Being Prepared Makes the Job Easier
To tackle these projects–and other areas of your house that need organization–Carter recommends you have a kit ready to use.
"Many people have a cleaning bucket or a set of tools for the office,
but how many people have a kit for organizing? Not enough," explained
Carter.
What should you put in the kit? Here are some things Carter recommends you keep on hand to help with your organizing projects:
- Masking tape
- Sharpie markers
- Post-it notes
- Boxes that can fold flat when not in use
- Scissors
- Label maker, stickers or tape
- Trash bags–use black bags for items that should be thrown away
- Donation
bags–to make sure you don't confuse donation items with trash items,
use white bags for items that are still usable and should be donated
These items will help you quickly work through your projects and
finish them off by storing and organizing your items, as well as
donating or throwing away any unwanted items.
Plan of Attack – Organize One Step at a Time
Once you have these items together, it's time to prioritize your
projects. Although deciding what to do first, second, third and so on
can seem overwhelming, Carter has simple advice to help you decide.
"Prioritization is based on how important something is to you,"
explained Carter.
So she recommends you start by asking yourself a few simple questions:
- Why are you doing a project?
- What will the
payoff be when you're done? Less stress? Being able to find things
quickly and easily? Having a neat, clutter free environment?
- Is the pay-off worth the time? If so, which project has the biggest pay-off?
Then, follow Carter's ABCs of organizing to tackle each project step by step:
A - Assess your situation. What is the problem? What do you need to solve the problem?
B - Bunch things together
if they are used together (for example, paints with brushes). Bunch
things together that are like items (shirts with shirts). Banish the
things that don't belong there at all.
C - Contain what you keep. Find the right bin, basket, or shelf for the items you are keeping.
D - Designate a spot where the items will live in your home.
E – Evaluate. Every day, week, month and year, evaluate your situation and re-organize what has become undone.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
When it comes to actually tackling your projects, each one will take a
different amount of time. But there can be a fear of over-organizing or
continually re-organizing.
To help overcome that problem Carter offered the following tip. "One
key to staying organized is to learn when you have reached ‘good
enough' and not strive for perfection...because there is never a
perfect."
Another common mistake is not using the space well, including room
at the top of pantries or closets. "Adding shelves can maximize the
space," explained Carter.
Should It Stay or Should It Go?
When organizing a space, there are bound to be a number of items
that you just don't know what to do with. How many sheets should you
keep in a full closet? What about that gift you received six years ago?
To help you quickly determine what to keep, what to throw out, and what to donate, Carter suggested the following tips:
- Ask yourself questions about how often you use things, how much you enjoy things, and if you really need the items at all.
- Set
maximums by space. For example, designate a space and then only save 3
sets of sheets, 1 box of ornaments, and so on if that's all that will
fit in that space.
- Set maximums by number.
For example, keep only 10 scarves, only 40 pair of shoes, only 2 sets
of silverware; when you buy a new one, make the tough choice as to
which one goes away.
- Set standards…and stick
to them. For example, don't keep anything broken, stained, or
redundant. Who really needs 4 can openers? If things are broken and
need repair, set a time limit. If you haven't repaired an item in 3
months, then it's probably not that important to you.
- Don't
just pile everything up and toss it. Keep separate piles. If
something's still useful, but doesn't meet your criteria to keep it,
put it in a pile to donate to a worthy cause.
Finally, remember that it's okay to get rid of things that were once prized possessions.
"Just because you loved something once, doesn't mean you still have
to keep it," Carter stated. "Taste changes and it's okay to be done
with items you don't love any longer."
Timesaving Tips Straight from the Pro
To help you work quickly and efficiently, Carter offers two important tips:
First, group tasks together so you can get the most done in one
location or area. Have all your supplies ready before you start
organizing a space. Don't leave the room to put things away. Gather up
everything that goes elsewhere and put it away after you finish
organizing the space or during a break.
Second, don't confuse grouping tasks with multi-tasking, which can
be problematic. According to Carter, you shouldn't multi-task on two
projects that both require thinking.
"It takes up more time to switch back and forth from task to task,"
Carter stated. "If you need to do more than one thing at once, only one
project should require thinking. The other should be mindless–like
folding laundry while having a conversation."
How to Avoid a Major Re-org Every Year…
Regular maintenance is needed to keep your space organized. This means putting things away after you use them.
"Even if you don't do it right away, you should put items away in a
reasonable amount of time," Carter explained. "If you work full time or
are busy with kids, you might find that you do a big ‘put away' session
on the weekends. And that's okay."
Don't be afraid to
re-organize when you see things aren't working. And, every time you
bring something new into the house make sure you have a specific place
for it. "If it doesn't have a home, it will become clutter," Carter
said.
Keep It Real…And Keep Your Sanity
In her final words of wisdom, Carter reiterated that organizing is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing.
"Most people buy more than they actually need–and that's great for
capitalism, but bad for clutter," Carter stated. "If your home is full,
think twice and three times before making new purchases. And if you do
want to buy something, take a minute to toss something out or donate an
item."
In addition, to help stay organized, Carter
recommends keeping a donation box in a closet and adding to it every
time you find things you no longer need. You can also find a nearby
donation center or a charity that will pick up items from your home to
save time, energy, and your sanity.
