Declutter and Reorganize that One Area to Lower Stress and Save Time
It’s frustrating to try to get something done and not be able to find what you need. You know you have it, somewhere, but face it. It’s time to declutter and reorganize that one area that stresses you out and wastes your time.
I understand.
We’re in the midst of some significant challenges and changes, so we’re working to repurpose some areas of our home while also dealing with the cluttered collections in those areas that need a little TLC.
Maybe you’re thinking about doing something similar?
In Julie Morgenstern’s book, Organizing from the Inside Out, her recommendation to analyze, strategize, and then attack is a pretty straight-forward plan for success.
Be Strategic
Clutter and disorganization have been linked to higher stress levels, time management issues, depression, and limited focus, but taking a strategic approach can make decluttering and reorganizing more schedule and energy-friendly.
Hey. You might even have fun.
So start by taking a moment to consider the following:
- what is working and what needs attention
- how much time do you think would be needed
- what affect would the decluttering and reorganizing have on your time and stress-level long-term
- would it slow down or speed up the project to recruit help from family and/or friends for all or parts of the project
- is the area or “stuff” tied to other areas or groups that need to be done together or in a certain order
- is the current location the best location
The images in this post are all from the beginnings of a project we’re working on that has several other projects within it, as well as others that are tied to it. Trying to do it all at once would be overwhelming, so we’re starting with the most time-sensitive parts first and moving to the rest afterward.
Get Ready
Okay. There are so many ways to explode a decluttering and reorganizing project into a massive production, so be sure to set realistic goals that might include breaking the project into sections with your eventual, overall goal in mind:
- Stress management- Your brain doesn’t know whether your stress is coming from nearly getting hit by an oncoming car or because you are frustrated that someone didn’t put the vanilla extract back on the right shelf. So for this reason, minimizing “unnecessary” stress where possible is preferred to support good health
- Time management – Your current investment to find or do something that relates to the area could definitely be shortened, and that adds up
So… Next you’ll need to gather a few supplies:
- Trash bags and boxes for what you will throw away, give away, or relocate
- Containers, labels and other supplies you choose to use in the newly organized space (might be helpful to decide on these after clearing out the space or sorting through the stuff)
- Cleaning supplies (for the space and the stuff)
Get It Scheduled
Now that you’ve decided to do that project…when?
Existing schedules and responsibilities can definitely limit availability. So is it a project that you can finish in a few hours, a day, or multiple days?
If you’re not sure, go take a look.
Consider dividing big projects into understandable sections, avoiding overwhelm but also giving yourself multiple opportunities to celebrate progress.
In the decluttering and reorganizing project that we’re working on, we have storage boxes of stuff that don’t belong to us, as well as groups of related boxes and loose items that will be brought together from this room and other areas and then decluttered and reorganized (and possibly relocated).
This would be too much to complete all at once, but completing the parts individually make for easier scheduling, progress, and completion without added stress…and maybe even having fun.
Start to Declutter and Reorganize
Once it’s time to pull up your sleeves and get started:
- Set up your trash bags, donation boxes, “keep” area (including a “relocate elsewhere” area if needed)
- Pull Everything out of the area and sort into those trash bags, donate boxes, or “keep” area
- Deliver those “relocate” items to their new homes
- Bring in any items from other parts of your home that should be incorporated into the “keep” area
- Tie up those trash bags and take them out now to that big outdoor trash container
- Close up those donation boxes and move them to a space for easy and quick transport to your chosen donation receiver
- Clean the area and what you are keeping
- Sort your “keep” items and return to the freshly cleaned space using the containers, dividers, labels or other chosen tools to keep the space organized (and understandable to other family members)
- Put away your tools and clean your work area
- Celebrate the job well-done
I Love the visual “reality check” that I get from either pulling Everything out of an area I’m organizing or bringing All the Things together for a particular group of things I want to get under control. Seeing it all out there helps to find duplications, get rid of broken or outdated items, and really shrink down any excess. Marie Kondo talks about this in her book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Consider These Suggestions Too
As you are planning and completing your decluttering and reorganizing, consider these suggestions that might apply:
- Don’t spread your project out across too many days or you’ll lose momentum
- Do you want opaque or transparent containers
- Have your tools and supplies ready and available
- Get rid of donations and trash as quickly as possible
- Watch that relocate option. Should it actually be trash or donate?
- Make if fun (music, snacks, teamwork, challenges, etc.)
If your chosen project includes decisions about sentimental items, be prepared for the emotional side. When would it be best to attend to these to support the completion of your project.
Should you go through those last?
Relish the Benefits
I L.O.V.E. the feeling I get when using a newly organized space or room. I know exactly what’s in there and where. Stress is no longer involved in my access and use of those items and time is saved in the long run.
Ahhh…
Don’t miss out on those benefits too. Any time you can ease your process, address those projects that even just appear overwhelming, you lower your stress level.
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