As
an organizer and move assistant, I read many articles a day for the
benefit of my clients so that I am up to date on all the latest trends
and ideas on how to make life easier for you! Many articles say the same
thing, “Spend just 10 minutes a day and you’ll be amazed at how organized your place is” I agree with this point, however when it
comes to staying organized you have to start out by being organized (hint: these people were already some-what organized beforehand) I want to give you REAL advice on how to become a more organized person.
- Stop making excuses. We all love to come up with excuses about why we can’t do something, but the only person we are affecting is ourselves. (now what good is that?) We all have busy days, we all have better things to do, but once it becomes a habit, then we will find life so much better (and you’ll be easier on yourself)
- Distinguish what is an emotional attachment and a legitimate need. Do you hold on to gifts from your relatives, that you haven’t looked at much less used in 22 years but feel bad about giving it away? Trust me, it’s OK to let it go, there are plenty of people out there who would love to use it. Consider consigning or donating your no longer used items.
- Trash or treasure: Often we find it very challenging to admit the possessions we’ve held onto for so long have no real value. Look thoroughly into your "treasures" and see what the true value is. I have been a magazine collector all my life. However, sometimes it is truly difficult to distinguish the difference between trash and treasure- especially when you yourself believe it is of value. Take a day or two to do some research, you might find that some of the things you own hold a higher value than expected, or if you're lucky, the opposite.
- Give yourself TIME. It may be easy for the super organized people of the world to say it only takes “10 minutes a day”, but here’s the deal- it doesn’t. Dedicate a Saturday to each room that really needs work. It might take a few hours, but the benefits will far exceed the time spent organizing.
Worried about getting started? Hire someone to work alongside you, whether its a friend, a relative, or a professional, don't be afraid to ask for help. Hiring someone to help will save you a lot of time and stress.
