Technically, to be more clear . . . the title should be “Don’t Start WITH Organizing!”
But that doesn’t have the same shock value, does it?
When you open up a cabinet and have to duck to avoid being hit by falling objects, it just seems logical to start organizing that space.
And to organize, you obviously need some organizing stuff, right?
Except that the keyword here is stuff. And it’s likely that an overabundance of stuff is your problem in the first place.
At this point, buying cute little baskets and bins won’t solve the problem.
In fact, you may return from the store (a little tired from shopping), open that cabinet again . . . and instantly become completely exhausted when you realize how overwhelming the task in front of you really is.
Instead of organizing, just declutter.
JUST declutter.
Don’t make any plans about the best way to rearrange. Simply begin removing the items that you don’t need. Once you have purged the closet of clutter, you’ll more easily be able to see how to organize it for how you really live.
Two (somewhat magical) things happen when I personally follow this method of focusing ONLY on decluttering instead of organizing:
1. I don’t get as overwhelmed (which means I’m able to keep going). I am only making decisions about whether or not to keep an item. It’s a simple yes-or-no/stay-or-go decision without the added angst of figuring out how to make the things that stay look pretty and perfect.
2. Every single time I keep my focus on decluttering, I’m amazed at how the finished project seems organized. This really surprised me when I first began my focused quest to get my home under control. A space that was once overfull with clutter, but now contains only the things we truly need . . . is generally one-hundred times more organized than it was before.
Organizing products are great for helping a space serve its purpose in your home. But . . . if a space has been unusable because it was filled to the tip-top with clutter, it’s likely that you and your family members don’t even understand the purpose it could serve.
Once the clutter is gone, the items that are left will be accessible in a way that they haven’t been before. Over time, you’ll develop a better understanding of the things you have and how the space can best be used. After a few months, re-visit the formerly cluttered area. After you understand how the area is being used, then purchase the items you now know you need to make the space function at its best.
Yes! We are going through a jam-packed garage that just had everything tossed in willy-nilly 9 years ago and has compounded itself since then. At some point I think some of it was almost organized, but not all at once.
First step: Sort everything into somewhat-like categories. Office Supplies. Tools. Computer Disks. Hardware. Cleaning Supplies. Etc. Only then can we make any determinations about what can stay or go, and after that we’ll be able to see how to jigsaw puzzle the remainder onto shelves. We’re only 1/10 of the way done and I’ve counted over 70 screwdrivers, and at least 30 of them are the same size. Anyone need a screwdriver??