Would getting organized be on your new list of your favourite chores? Kicking the clutter and getting organized is usually the number-two resolution on people’s list; losing weight is commonly number one.
Becoming more conscious of the way we live, and also the way we shop, is a recipe for a simple and more rewarding life. If you shop-till-you-drop, the clutter will be the price you pay. Always searching for the items you need, or finding the space to store your stuff, is time and energy consuming.
It’s estimated that we lose one hour per day looking for the things we need. Procrastinating and not be able to start the chores you need to do is another time-eating machine. The average person loses 20 per cent of their annual budget because they are disorganized.
At times we all might have tendencies to get emotionally attached to our belongings. The unused and unwanted items we keep might remind us of the life we once had, the relationships that didn’t work out for us, or unfinished projects we lost interest in.
Here are some tips to help you get organized:
1. Choose the space that needs to be organized. Start with a room that bothers you the most.
2. Assign the time and be specific. Saturday at noon is good enough. Write it on your calendar. For extra reinforcement, put a red sticker beside the time you have chosen.
3. Get tools: big and sturdy garbage bags, recycle box, packing tape, boxes and permanent markers.
4. Remove the garbage from the chosen room first. Second time around remove the items that don’t belong in that room.
5. Finally, call your favourite charity and donate the items you don’t need or use. Make sure the items you are donating are in good condition.
6. Clean and categorize the items you are keeping. Group similar items together. For example: tea, coffee, sugar, honey and hot chocolate go together. Contain the small items and label the container for easy identification.
Before you go on your shopping spree, walk through your home or office and find out what you already have to contain your stuff. Let’s start a new resolution by kicking the clutter to the curb. I have clients who simply use their shopping habits as their hobby or to make themselves feel better. Shopping addiction is just like any other addiction: it feels good for a while and then reality checks in.
I urge all of my clients to give a gift of time to their families and friends. If your grandma is 80 years old, she doesn’t need another basket of lotions and potions; she needs somebody to tend to her garden, clean and organize her house. Take her out to see a play, gas up her vehicle or take her to her favourite restaurant. Make sure to take a picture of the two of you during your gift of time.
Getting organized will help you and your family live healthy, simple and productive lives.
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
