I was recently contacted by a journalist for the Reading Eagle for an article about organizing. Here’s a preview of her article, with some organizing tips:
If a person has a lot of clutter and feels overwhelmed, what are some ways to tackle the mess and get things under control?
Clutter is overwhelming. It increases the stress hormone cortisol so take comfort in knowing that there is a biological basis for how you feel. Start with an easy category, such as clothes. If there is a room, basement or guest room that has been taken over by clutter, you approach it category by category. Remember to take breaks and have a reward planned for after your are done. Perhaps schedule a relaxing salt session or massage at The Salt Lounge.
What are some different organization styles? How do you find the one that's right for you?
There are so many different styles, such as essentialism, minimalism, home editing. Schedule a free consultation with a home organizer to get a sense of her style and see if that approach is best for you. Many organizers offer a variety of options to support you, so you can find the help that suits you and your budget. Don’t spend more time reading about organizing than organizing. You don’t have to do it perfectly. Finding the right style for you is an experiment.
Let's talk about storage. What options/containers do you recommend?
Be careful when buying stuff for your stuff. It’s important to test out storage solutions first. Use cardboard boxes, repurpose those amazon boxes, ziploc bags, and shoe boxes to start. Once you know that the size and space is right, start looking for bins and boxes that are easy for you to use. A storage container might be lovely to look at but if you can’t unlatch it easily, you may be less likely to use it. Once you know what’s best for you and your space, check out etsy for unique options.
What are some examples of ways that items can be repurposed rather than tossed?
You can repurpose just about anything but only spend time on repurposing the things that you really want to see in other areas of your home. For example, you can reuse shoe boxes and gift boxes as diy hikidashi boxes. Consider the services that companies provide to help you recycle, for example, you can recycle used ink cartridges at staples and used underwear and socks at Knickey. Both companies will give you a reward for recycling with them.
** Organizing Specialist Caveat - The journalist asked me for room-based suggestions. In general, I don’t suggest organizing by room. It’s far more overwhelming and you’ll find that you are looking at the same category of things over and over. It’s best to proceed category by category. Then you’ll have all of the items in the same category in one spot and you can decide what to keep and where they should live. **
How should someone approach organizing the living room?
The living room is a space that is open and shared by everyone. You want it to be a reflection of your personality and a way of “self-expression”.
Organizing the living room can be overwhelming. It’s less overwhelming to gather similar categories of items together. Take a step back, breathe and look at the different items and ask key questions -
What am I doing in my living room?
What would I prefer to do in my living room?
What are the things that I would like to have that are a part of my ideal lifestyle?
Keep the items in the living room that are supporting you and your family’s activities so that things don’t pile up and get disorganized on a daily basis.
What are some strategies for organizing bedrooms?
Start by getting a sense of what you really want in your bedroom to support your optimal sleep hygiene.
If you are working from home, then preferably work any place other than your bedroom. You want your bedroom to be associated with sleep, rest, relaxation, a healthy work-life balance, and healthy habits.
If you are taking medications in the morning/night, make sure that these are accessible to easily so that you can remember taking them at the prescribed times of the day.
How about organizing methods for the kitchen?
Ask all the cooks in the home to be present to organize the space. One of my favorite questions to ask is “Pick out your go-to knife or spatula” Each cook has their favorite knife/spatula. Make sure you keep everyone’s favorite and let go of the items that no one is using. There are so many small utensils in the kitchen so start with your bigger items first and then move into the smaller ones. Most importantly, treat yourself to a nice dinner when you’re done. One of my favorite local spots is Tokyo Hibachi.
How to approach organizing bathrooms?
Bathroom spaces usually get the most cluttered/messy, especially the storage under the sink
Separate items by category (for e.g. cleaning supplies, hygiene care, etc.) and place them in either i) separate containers ii) separate storing areas (if you have the space).
What are some strategies for organizing a basement/garage?
Garages and basements can become unused and unloved space. Think about what you really need in your home. If you’d like to have another space for your kids to play or maybe you’d love to carve out a little meditation space just for you. Keep that goal in mind and start picturing it. Then gather similar items together so you have a better idea of the quantity that you need to keep. Store similar items together so it’s easy for you and your family members to find. Also, consider labeling boxes and bins.