The one thing that will save your sanity (and your wallet) when you start to get organized

For many of us, getting organized is a response to some last straw, when chaos descends upon us once again, and we begin it with lots of determination and energy. Then we start to realize just how complicated our lives are, and wonder how we got this way. How on earth we are going to organize everything? There’s too much!

When I set out on my own 30 years ago, I carried one huge backpack with me. Now, after 1 child, 2 marriages, 3 cats, 4 home businesses, a market garden, and countless hobbies, I have more stuff than I did then. I’m also involved in multiple activities, organizations and clubs, as well as running my business; I’m renovating my whole house and yard, my parents are getting older and need more of my attention, my kids have left home but still need a listening ear as they try their wings, and even middle-aged love is in the air… somehow it all has to fit into the same 24 hours a day.

Getting organized is starting to sound like a very time-consuming project!

Then, what happens once we do get organized and all our stuff is stored away, our activities scheduled, our lives streamlined? We still have to keep track of it all. And every day, more Stuff - objects, people, activities, worries - keeps on arriving. It’s enough to make you throw up your hands and surrender to chaos.

Don’t give up! There’s one thing you can do which will make getting organized faster, cheaper and easier:

DECLUTTER FIRST!

Get rid of all the extras – the things, activities and even people you don’t want, don’t like, or don’t need in your life. Then you can think about how to organize what’s left.

Decluttering is simple

But it can have unexpected feelings attached, making it harder to do than it looks. You can get mired in the question of whether to keep or toss little Sally’s grade 2 painting, the wedding gift from Auntie Muriel which you’ve never liked, the pants which almost fit (and would again if you were 5 pounds lighter), the magazines about the hobby-before-last, whether the current hobby is worth pursuing or should be dropped…

Most of us do a lot better with this process if we have help, whether that’s a class, a book, or a friend. There are a lot of online resources available - check out these and decide which one feels right to you:

Declutter FAST!
Declutter fast - get your home in order! How to declutter your home immediately. Discover the joy and power of order. This quick read changes your life!

Get Organized Now
Ideas, tips, tools and more to help you organize your home, your office and your life.

I Need More Time
Time management tips and tricks to organize your home, kids, wardrobe, and office.

The Definitive Guide To Home Organization For Busy People
How to quickly and easily clear clutter and organize your home…for good! Learn the exact steps and tricks used by professional organizers to get your home organized & clutter free.