The New Year is a time for new beginnings. It’s a time for change, fresh starts, and, yes, resolutions.
If you’re sitting at home right now with a pile of stuff you don’t quite know what to do with, getting organized might sound like a great New Year’s Resolution but I have some news for you. While bringing in a team of professionals to help transform your spaces is a wonderful choice, (and sure does expedite the process!) it’s actually *gasp* just the beginning.
The framework of editing, categorizing, and implementing systems is only the FIRST step in truly getting organized. There is so much more to it. Let's dig in!
WHY GETTING “ORGANIZED” IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN “GETTING ORGANIZED”
Getting organized is genuinely a fantastic goal to strive for but it's not only about purchasing bins and baskets, adding labels, and making your space aesthetically pleasing. If we’re being honest, it’s primarily about what happens after that.
The impeccable systems we set up aren’t going to maintain themselves. While we do like to think of ourselves as organizing wizards 🧙♀️, the systems themselves sadly are not magical. They will not succeed if you don’t invest your energy and effort to maintain them.
Let's take a minute to chat about habits. A habit is a behavior that becomes automatic through repeated practice, often without conscious thought. Habits form because the brain seeks efficiency, creating shortcuts to save energy for other tasks. While some habits can be helpful, (yay for brushing our teeth!) they can also be difficult to change when they no longer serve you. Breaking an old habit requires disrupting the automatic loop and replacing it with a new intentional behavior, (like consciously putting things away) which can feel super uncomfortable at first. Patience, consistency, and self-awareness are essential for rewiring your brain and building lasting, positive habits.
Getting organized is an extremely helpful tool to assist you in changing your habits. It is the FIRST STEP in a long (and sometimes challenging) journey to change your life by adjusting your relationship with the items you deem worthy to hold on to. It is about making a conscious effort to put away your laundry, hang up your dry cleaning, and return all items to their proper homes after being used.
TOOLS TO HELP YOU MAINTAIN ORGANIZING SYSTEMS
While there is no “one size fits all” approach to organizing, we do have some tips that will help you recognize where you might be able to change small habits that will add up to a big transformation! Some of these tips are easier than others, but we believe that the combination of them all can lead you to a more organized life - with or without baskets and bins!
Put items away/where they belong after you are finished using them - everything should have a home and be returned to that home as often as possible
Keep surfaces and countertops clear - a clear space will automatically help you feel more organized and at ease (and usually only takes a few minutes to accomplish)
Eliminate the infamous “chair in the corner” that serves as a catch all for things you don’t want to put away (or dont know where to put) - stop yourself before you toss an item on the pile and instead, put it where it belongs.
EDIT your items - every so often, take stock of your belongings. Aim to pass along anything that you don’t use or love. Let go of the things that are no longer serving you to fill your space with only the things that add value to your life! This might mean making some tough choices but will ultimately allow you to feel lighter - physical clutter manifests psychological clutter after all!
Try setting aside 10 minutes at the end of each day to sweep your surfaces and put your items back in their homes. If you don’t have the capacity for a daily habit/change, try adding it in as a weekly habit on Saturday mornings.
Getting organized can be a transformative experience but it doesn’t happen overnight. Whether you plan to DIY or want to bring our team in to create excellent systems that are tailored to your goals and preferences, the long game is up to you!
Changing your habits is absolutely possible with small, consistent steps. By focusing on one habit at a time and giving yourself grace along the way, you’ll build routines that make your life easier and more enjoyable. Remember, every small effort adds up, and you have what it takes to create lasting change—one step at a time! You got this. We’re rooting for ya!
Want to finish off the year with an editing session? Check out our Professional Organizer’s Guide to Declutter Every Space in Your Home!