Embrace Order in the New Year: Professional Organizing Tips for “Get Organized” Month

Featured in the Daily Progress

Happy New Year to all as we step into the first month of 2024! January not only marks the dawn of a new year, but also signals the start of “Get Organized” month. It’s the perfect time to bid farewell to clutter and introduce a sense of order into our lives and living spaces. As a Professional Organizer, I’m here to offer essential tips for decluttering, purging, and, of course, organizing to help you create a stress-free environment within your home.

Let’s begin by recognizing the significance of organizing and decluttering to cultivate a harmonious living environment. The impact of clutter on our well-being is more than just visual; it directly affects our stress levels. Studies show that an organized and clutter-free environment can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. In 2009, researchers found that the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, were higher in women whose home environment was cluttered compared to women who had less clutter. Tisha Morris, Author of “Feng Shui Your Life”, wrote, “Where there’s clutter in your home, there will be clutter in you - either physically, mentally, or emotionally.” With this in mind, let’s begin on a journey toward a clutter-free and stress-free new year.

It’s crucial to establish clear and achievable goals. Begin by identifying specific areas in your home that require attention, whether it’s an overstuffed closet, a cluttered pantry, kitchen countertops buried under miscellaneous items, or a garage filled to the brim. Acknowledge that some spaces may be more stressful than others, but as you navigate this path, it’s important to be easy on yourself. Organizing your home is a process that involves not only physical effort, but also emotional energy. Recognize that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times, and allow yourself to go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Begin with an area that you see every day. Start with a small space so that you’ll see a measurable difference when you need to stop and take a break or when that space is complete.

To aid you in this process, here are some basic organizing tips that can serve as practical tools in creating a more orderly living space:

1. Touch it Once:

Implement the “touch it once” rule. When handling an item, make a decision about it

 immediately. If it’s mail, rather than putting it all in a pile, toss the junk mail, put the bills in the bill-paying area, and make decisions about anything else that arrived - keep it for follow-up, or read and toss it. If it’s laundry, fold it quickly as you take it out of the dryer. That way, you eliminate the additional task of folding the laundry sitting in the basket.

2. Establish Drop Zones:

Designate specific areas in your home as drop zones for frequently used items such as keys, mail, coats, or bags. This prevents clutter from spreading throughout the house to ensure that essential items are easily accessible when needed. Consider using specific tools like bowls for keys, hooks for coats, or bins for pet items to enhance functionality for these zones. “Containerizing” these items gives them a home and makes it look like they belong there.

3. Donate Regularly:

Keep a donation box or bag near the exit you use most frequently. As you come across items you no longer need, place them in the box. Regularly donating unused or outgrown items not only declutters your space, but also benefits others. Explore local donation resources for added convenience and community impact. Goodwill and The Salvation Army are well-known options that accept various donations, supporting community-based programs, but don’t forget about other local places such as Twice is Nice, SPCA Rummage Store, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you have something to donate, rest assured that with a little research you can find a place in Charlottesville to rehome your items.

4. Label and More Labels:

Labeling is a powerful organizing tool. Invest in a label maker, get creative with DIY labels, or simply use a sharpie and tape to clearly mark containers, drawers, and shelves. This will enhance visibility and helps you to put things away in their designated space. Labels have a wonderful ability to somehow silently scream at you to put things away in their designated home. They take away a mental step of having to figure out where something goes. Once you start labeling things in your home you’ll find you start doing it everywhere.

5. Embrace the “One In, One Out” Rule:

Prevent the accumulation of excess belongings by adopting the “one in, one out” rule. Whenever you acquire a new item, consider letting go of a similar item to maintain balance and prevent clutter. This will help for intentional and mindful consumption. For those with an overabundance, consider adopting a “One In, Two Out” rule.

6.Keep Things Where You Use Them:

Enhance efficiency by storing items where you use them most. By strategically placing items where they are most frequently used, you streamline your daily activities and reduce the time and effort spent searching for things. Remember to tailor your organization to your unique routines and preferences, creating a home that aligns to your lifestyle.

Setting these objectives at the start of the year is not just a resolution, but a practical strategy to maintain focus and motivation throughout the entire organizing process. This journey is not just about creating order; it’s about crafting a living space that nurtures your physical, mental and emotional well-being.