10 Years of Organizing
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Innies or Outies
Have you ever heard the terms innie and outie? If so, you may be looking at your belly button right now, because these words refer to the shape of it. Are you wondering what that has to do with organizing, and why I would write a blog article about it? It’s because a friend of mine, who is also a Professional Organizer, mentioned that she uses these terms when organizing. She uses the term innie to describe situations where clutter and mess are contained behind closed doors and outie for when clutter and mess are visible. I have found in my 10 years as a Professional Organizer that the projects with which I help my clients can be categorized as one or the other.
Innies stash clutter in drawers, closets and file cabinets. The surfaces of the counters, desks and tables may be clear, but the real issues lurk behind closed doors. Here are four solutions that may help control the clutter and create order in the hidden areas.
- Practice the one in one out guideline to keep the quantity of stuff manageable.
- Devote some time to answering the question, “When is enough?“
- Follow the 3 step organizing process on the clutter that’s stashed away.
- Schedule time to edit items from your space.
Outies have piles of clutter everywhere, which can create stress from the constant visual reminder that something needs to be done with it. Here are four solutions that may help lessen the stress.
- Schedule clutter aerobics at least 3 times a week to attack the piles.
- Practice the confirming process to help continually remove what is no longer used, needed or wanted.
- Mark off time on your calendar to reclaim order in your home. I’d recommend at least two hours twice a month.
- Incorporate one or two daily organizing routines into your day.
Which term would describe your home situation? Whether your answer is innie or outie the solutions above will help you remove clutter, establish order, and feel less stressed. I would like to hear of your progress, please email me with details.
©January 2018 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Organizing in Small Steps
Getting organized is a common New Year’s resolution. Is it one of yours? If so, start small. Make a list of what you want to organize and then ask yourself what first step can I take that will be easy for me to accomplish? Remember sometimes the smallest changes have the biggest impact.
Reaching the Finish Line
During my class on Conquering Clutter With Confidence we discuss reaching the finish line. In order to do this, we first discuss what it means to reach the finish line. It means doing things from start to finish, and knowing when that finish line has been crossed. For example, in my house, the finish line has been crossed, while doing dishes, when there are no dirty dishes left unwashed, and the sink and counters have been wiped clean. In your family, when is the finish line crossed while doing dishes? What about the laundry? When is it reached with new purchases or gifts that have been received? Where does the receipt go, and what do you do with the box? What happens to the gift bag, tag, and tissue paper? Establishing when the finish line has been crossed will help reduce clutter.
Reaching the finish line also means completing the organizing process and reclaiming order. Putting things away and picking up after ourselves are important parts of reaching the finish line. It is what helps us maintain order, and is best accomplished with practice. For example, upon returning home after being out, I spend time putting things away. My keys and coat go on their hooks, my shoes go on the mat, and my pocketbook goes on the desk. Practicing reaching the finish line with this daily organizing routine helps me maintain order. Other daily organizing routines that can benefit from practice are dressing for the day, processing the mail, undressing at night, project clean up, and picking up toys.
In your home, do you want to reduce clutter and maintain order? You can by reaching the finish line. What finish line is waiting for you to cross it? Will you know when you’ve crossed it? Also, take a closer look at your daily organizing routines. Can you improve them with practice? If you think you’d be more successful with a little help from me, please ask.
©December 2017 Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer® All Rights Reserved
Organizer Friendly Gifts
In a gift giving situation, I do my best to give a gift that will not add to someone’s clutter. I call these gifts, organizer friendly gifts. I give intangible things, like tickets to events, memberships to museums, gift certificates to restaurants, and gifts of time. Another option is to give things that get used up, like bath and beauty products, food baskets, and liquid refreshment.
Follow Me