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Millions of people make resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, or pay off debt when the calendar turns from one year to the next. Have you, on the other hand, given much thought to getting your home in order? Are you sick of staring at boxes stuffed with clothes you haven’t worn in ten years or toys your kids haven’t played with in five?
The start of a new year is a great time to stop procrastinating and get your home and life in order with some formal home organization.
Here are some of my top tips as a professional organizer to help you get your 2024 off to a well-organized start, in the form of nine new year’s resolutions you’ll actually be able to keep.
Start Small.
Simply put, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
People usually make a resolution that says something like, ‘I’m going to get my home and office totally organized this year, and I will never misplace anything again.” This is not only unrealistic, but it would take so long that they usually run out of steam before they even see results. Then they are frustrated with themselves and have often created a bigger problem than they started with.
To prevent that frustration, make small, easy resolutions like, “I will do my shopping using a list rather than trying to remember what I need.”
Use One Calendar for Everything.
This involves not only keeping track of appointments, vacations, and tasks but also finding the right tools to help you do so. Your calendar, a central tool in this endeavour, must be portable and adaptable to your lifestyle, whether it’s in paper or digital form. This allows you to mark down important dates and events as they come up, no matter where you are.
For those who prefer a traditional approach, a well-designed paper planner can be invaluable. Look for planners with features like monthly and weekly views, ample space for notes, and perhaps a pocket for storing important documents. Brands like Moleskine and Leuchtturm offer high-quality options that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.
On the other hand, if you lean towards digital solutions, numerous apps and software can cater to your needs. Google Calendar is a popular choice, accessible from any device, and easily integrated with other Google services. For more advanced features, consider apps like Fantastical or Microsoft Outlook, which offer robust scheduling options, reminders, and task management features. These digital calendars often include customization options, allowing you to color-code different types of events and set up recurring appointments.
For those who are always on the move, smartphone apps are indispensable. Many calendar apps sync across devices, ensuring you have access to your schedule whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer. Look for apps with notification systems, so you never miss an important event.
Additionally, consider integrating your calendar with a task-management tool like Todoist or Asana. This can help you not only remember appointments but also track your progress on various projects and tasks. Some of these tools allow for collaboration, which is particularly useful if you need to coordinate schedules and tasks with colleagues or family members.
Lastly, for those who have a lot of events and tasks to juggle, a smartwatch could be a worthwhile investment. Devices like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch can display your calendar and reminders right on your wrist, making it almost impossible to miss an important reminder.
Establish Daily, Weekly and Monthly Routines.
Creating routines for completing tasks can ensure that even the most basic activities are accomplished around the house. Make your bed every day, pay your bills once a week, and clean out your wallet once a month, for example.
Everyone in the household should be encouraged to do the same. For example, your kids’ rooms will be a lot less disorganized and messy if they get into the habit of putting away toys, clothes, and video games when they are done with them.
Set Manageable Goals.
Either the night before or in the morning, jot down your three most important tasks for the day. There may be more than three—there almost certainly will be—but these are the three things that must get done. It allows you to build them into your day rather than panicking at the end of the day to try to get everything done at once, or worse yet, miss doing something crucial altogether.
Divide and Conquer.
Rather than taking on a massive organizing project, break that project up into pieces, like getting the corner of a room into shape, not the entire room
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a room can be transformed into an organized area in a matter of minutes. Most rooms or homes as a whole do not become disorganized overnight, but rather over the course of months or years, so it will require hours or days to work through the contents of a space and restore its order.
Find a Home for Everything.
Don’t bring anything new into your home unless you know where you’re going to keep it. If you see something in a store and don’t quite know where it will go, leave it where it is (as in, at the store.)
One of the biggest aspects of many of the home organizing projects I undertake with clients relates to this. Homes often become cluttered because all the stuff in it does not have a defined home, so it gets shoved into a cupboard, piled into boxes, squeezed onto shelves, etc.
As you organize your home, a designated spot will need to be assigned to everything that stays. And that is plenty of work in itself; you do not need to complicate things even further by adding to the piles of homeless objects!
Stamp Out Piles of Mail.
Every time a piece of mail or any other paper comes into your home, act on it right away, and then either file it or toss it.
Also, register online with the Direct Marketing Association to cut down on junk mail. Less paper clutter means less stress.
Enlist Help.
Delegate organizing tasks to every member of your household. Everyone needs to be involved,” she said, “and take ownership of completing their responsibilities.
If you and your family lack motivation, consider hiring a professional organizer.
If you go that route, not only will we help you declutter your home, but we will also bring some sanity to your life and leave you with a solid plan to stay organized long after we’ve gone. We can also be a part of your ongoing commitment to an organized home, which brings me to my last point.
Make a Long-Term Commitment to Home Organization.
Keeping your home organized is not a one-time task but an ongoing journey. It’s about creating a habit of regularly picking up and placing items in their designated spots, ensuring that order is maintained in your living spaces. Remember, organization is dynamic, not static. Just as our lives and schedules evolve, so too should the way we organize our homes and offices. This flexibility is key to maintaining an environment that not only looks neat but also aligns with your changing needs and lifestyle.
However, sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can feel overwhelmed by the task of organizing and re-organizing our spaces. This is where professional help can be invaluable. A professional organizer brings expertise and fresh perspective, helping you find solutions tailored to your unique situation and preferences.
Don’t let disorganization add stress to your life in 2024. Embrace the change and the opportunity to create a more harmonious and functional living space. Book an appointment with Just Organized by Taya today, and take that crucial step towards a more organized, serene, and enjoyable home environment.
Whether you’re looking for guidance to start your organizing journey or need assistance in adapting your current system, we are here to help you create a space that perfectly suits your evolving life. Let’s make 2024 a year of positive change and tranquility in your home – reach out now and let’s get started!
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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