There is something about winter, specifically the days and weeks that follow the holidays, that feel like a prelude to spring cleaning. The bitter cold, dark days outside mixed with the sadness of putting holiday ornaments away… This with the future mindset and goal setting – leaves me nostalgic and hungry for a reset.
It’s when I’m setting my goals and looking toward the future, that I slowdown and examine the past.
Goal
My goal is always to be more organized. I have spent many years attempting to structure or restructure my belongings. Why? Because I truly believe that organized surroundings calm an anxious mind. It will help you become more productive, buy less, and decrease the time you need to spend on general cleaning and tidying.
Here’s my problem statement: I’ve been conditioned over the last few decades (I’m old enough that I can say that) to do things (cleaning, tidying, other tasks) quickly and with haste to move on to other things. My to-do list typically exceeds the time in a day. Which – inevitably leads to half-hearted attempts and a continue cycle.
I’ve digressed only slightly to let you know that you’re not alone if you feel completely unorganized but are still trying. I am here with you and feel the pain.
Steps
Alright – so how do we go about making moves? How do we make meaningful steps to make 2022 the year of organization? Admitting we need it the first step. From there, I’ve found that it helps to start small. If you take on too much at once, it will too overwhelming and not a fruitful endeavor.
Start with a single box or small room. Pulling out the storage bins for the holiday decorations gives me a whole view of our storage. I try to sort old, untouched items into a few piles:
- Garage sale
- Giveaway/donate
- Garbage
- Repurpose
My goal is to start with a fresh slate. It helps me reflect on what I have and where I’ve been. Usually it leads to unfinished ideas that I’m ready to breathe life back into.
Start small with one box and take your time. It’s very easy to get taken over and feel overwhelmed. I try very hard to make this meditative and therapeutic. Remember – it’s about setting goals and goals can change and finding inner balance.
There’s magic in bringing something old into the light. Perhaps an old vase or art – giving something new life connects the past with the future.
Garage Sale
Garage sales are a lot of work, but if you live in a high-traffic neighborhood or have yearly neighborhood garage sales – it’s a great way to sell your old and unused items.
Great items for a garage sale:
- Clothes that no longer fit
- Unused kitchen and home items
- Duplicate items
- Old holiday decor
- Read books
Sort through your old belongings and anything that doesn’t fit, hasn’t been used, or you have duplicates – consider adding them to your garage sale pile. Our garage sale pile is VERY large.
For tips on having a successful garage sale, click here.
Giveaway or Donate
Items in my giveaway and donate piles are typically things that I’ve found that are new and in good condition, that I want give to a friend or family. I will always ask my family member if they want said item, or if the item is brand new – I will wrap it for a gift.
Items for donation are always in two categories:
- Blankets and towels for the animal shelters
- Post-garage sale items
Typically the Salvation Army or Good Will will have scheduled pick ups. Otherwise, you can typically drop-off gently used items to your local facility. I also love to donate to shelters.
Garbage
Unfortunately, things aren’t meant to be kept or used forever. Sometimes we’ve used an item (perhaps loved it so much) that it is no longer functional. It’s okay to throw things away, and sometimes it’s necessary. As
Repurpose
Organizing can be somewhat of a treasure hunt. You may find some old items that will freshen up a room. Some ideas:
- Stage books to create a distinguished table look.
- Re-read old books and bring them to book club.
- Old luggage can add a chic finish.
There are a ton of things you can do, depending on your style. Here are some more tips.
Reminders & Tips
I can’t stress this enough – you need to take this one step at a time. You cannot make huge changes overnight – you have to prepare yourself for a long journey. Maybe you’re already aware of that – I’m mostly just reminding myself. Set your intentions and celebrate the small victories.
Don’t be afraid if things don’t go as planned. You may need to pivot to find the solutions for you.
Here are some other tips:
- Use clear bins so you can see what is inside.
- Label, label, label.
- Don’t make rash decisions, if you’re unsure of what to do with an item – set it aside.
- Avoid distractions (I’ve found that if I have items that belong in another room, using a basket helps. I’ll just pile the items in a basket and take them where they belong after I’m done with the task at hand).
Let’s keep each other accountable. We’ve got this, I just know it! Drop a comment below and let’s work on being organized in 2022!
Xo love Kim
