How to Become The Most Organized Person

Tackling Clutter: The Essentials

Reducing clutter begins with a clear plan for tackling belongings room by room. I start with sorting items into categories such as ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘sell’, or ‘trash’.

This simple yet powerful system allows for quick decision-making. The ‘keep’ pile is reserved for items I use regularly or that hold significant sentimental value. For the rest, I ask myself if it’s been used in the last year or if it truly brings joy to my life.

Read: 8 Questions To Ask Yourself When Decluttering or Becoming Minimalist

As I sort through possessions, I acknowledge the emotional weight attached to each item. Sentimental objects are the hardest to part with, so I set them aside until I’m ready to make a thoughtful choice on their fate.

Recognizing that letting go is part of growing and making space for what truly matters is key.

The motivation to maintain a streamlined home goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about quality of life. A clutter-free environment promotes focus, reduces stress, and saves time otherwise spent on cleaning and managing excess. I am driven by the vision of a home that supports my family’s well-being—one where every item has a place and purpose.

Organizing With Kids: The Family Approach

Inviting kids into the world of tidiness presents an outstanding chance to develop their organizational skills early.

My belief is that teaching these skills when my kids are young is a foundation for when they get older. Children can learn to value their spaces and belongings when they take part in sorting, storing, and maintaining orderly rooms. To turn this process into a bonding experience, I initiate games around organizing.

For instance, we may have a contest to see who can put away toys the fastest.

Furthermore, I explain why each item deserves its specific place, making it easier for them to find their toys when they are ready to play.

Creating a personalized tidy-up chart for each child can keep them engaged and give them a sense of accomplishment as they tick off tasks completed. These activities help kids to embrace a life free from clutter.

Time-Saving Organizing Hacks That Really Work

 

• Set a Timer: Dedicate short, focused bursts of tidying with a 15-minute timer. This helps avoid overwhelm and keeps the task manageable.
• One-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than a minute, do it immediately. Hanging up a coat, throwing away junk mail, or putting dishes in the dishwasher keeps clutter at bay.
• Use Clear Storage Bins: Transparent bins allow quick identification of contents, saving time searching for items.
• Label Everything: Mark shelves, boxes, and drawers. Labels guide family members to return items to their right places.
• Declutter Regularly: Each week, pick one area to sort and clear out. Regular maintenance prevents large, time-consuming messes.
• Organize as You Go: When picking up something from another room, always take items with you that belong where you’re going.
• Basket System: Keep a basket in main living areas for misplaced items. Empty and sort it during your daily organizing time.
• Digital Reminders: Use your smartphone to set reminders for regular decluttering appointments with yourself.
• One In, One Out: For every new item that comes into your space, ensure one item leaves to prevent accumulation.
• Daily Declutter Session: Incorporate a 10-minute declutter session into your evening routine to continuously control clutter.
• Multi-task Smartly: Match simple tasks like sorting mail with idle time, maybe while a meal cooks or when supervising homework time.
• Key Drop Zone: Establish a designated area for keys, wallets, and phones. This prevents wasting time searching for these essentials.

Organizing on a Budget: Low-Cost Solutions

 

• Repurpose Containers: I look for empty boxes, jars, and cans around the house to use as storage units. An old shoebox can hold craft supplies, while glass jars make excellent homes for small accessories.
• DIY Drawer Dividers: Rather than purchasing dividers, I create my own with repurposed cardboard to organize drawers efficiently. Cereal boxes cut to fit work perfectly for this hack.
• Declutter with Yard Sales: By selling items we no longer need, I gather extra cash that goes into storage solutions or is saved for future needs.
• Use Vertical Space: Installing shelves above existing furniture maximizes vertical space without spending much. I even use back-of-door shoe organizers for more than shoes; they’re great for toys, snacks, and craft supplies.
• Homemade Labels: I create my own labels with basic supplies like paper and clear tape to keep track of what’s where, eliminating the need for fancy label makers or pre-made labels.
• Budget Shops and Dollar Stores: For essential organizing items like bins or baskets, I visit thrift stores where I often find great deals.
• Borrow Tools: When I need a tool for a specific organizing project, I ask friends or family to borrow theirs prior to considering a purchase for a one-time use.
• Maximize Underutilized Spaces: Under beds, sofas, and tables often provide ample unused storage space. I use shallow bins to store seasonal clothing or extra linens neatly out of sight.
• Implement a Paperless System: Reducing paper clutter saves me from needing physical storage solutions. I opt for digital statements and receipts whenever possible.
• Creative Reuse: I encourage my kids to turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags and use egg cartons for organizing small items like jewelry or screws.

Read: How To Deal With Paper Clutter

Maintenance: Keeping Your Home Organized Daily

Maintaining a clutter-free home is an ongoing task, but with the right systems and routines, it becomes manageable. Start with a straightforward approach: establish designated spots for your belongings. Commit to returning items to their rightful places immediately after use.

This small change can have a lasting impact, preventing the accumulation of clutter.

Develop a daily routine that includes a quick tidying session. Allocate 10 to 15 minutes each day to straighten up common areas, making this as much a part of your routine as brushing your teeth. Involve your family as well, assigning simple organizing tasks to each member.

Weekly, conduct a more thorough cleanup.

Choose a day to go beyond surface tidying and address areas that need more attention, like sorting through mail or organizing pantry items. Breaking these tasks into manageable pieces ensures they don’t become overwhelming.

Finally, adopt a ‘one in, one out’ policy. When a new item comes into your home, find one to donate or discard.

This keeps inventory levels in check and reinforces clutter control. Daily habits are the backbone of sustaining a tidy home. Stay consistent, and over time, these habits will become second nature.

 

The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist

 

1. Begin with a vision – Picture your ideal, organized space. Keep that image in the forefront of your mind to motivate your actions.
2. Choose one area to start – Whether it’s a drawer, a closet, or a room, focus on one small section to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
3. Remove all items – Take everything out of the chosen area. This blank slate provides clarity and prevents selective overlooking of clutter.
4. Sort and categorize – Make piles to keep, donate, or throw away. Be decisive; if you hesitate, you probably don’t need it.
5. Clean the empty space – Wipe down shelves and vacuum or sweep the floor. A clean space encourages a tidy mind.
6. Organize what remains – Return items to their place intentionally. Use bins, dividers, and labels to maintain order.
7. Implement storage solutions – Invest in storage options that fit your space and items nicely. Think vertical to maximize room.
8. Repeat the process elsewhere – Apply these steps to the next area. Consistency breeds habit and habit maintains order.
9. Set decluttering schedules – Establish regular times for decluttering. This ensures upkeep and prevents future pile-ups.
10. Involve the household – Share your vision with family members. Assign tasks and responsibilities to maintain a collective effort.
11. Reflect and adjust – Periodically review your system. Adapt to changes in your home or lifestyle to stay organized.
12. Maintain daily habits – Finally, integrate simple routines such as making the bed or washing dishes right after use to prevent disorder.

Harnessing Technology: Organization in the Digital Age

In a world brimming with digital solutions, embracing apps and electronic tools can transform a hectic household into a smoothly run operation.

As a mom of three boys, I find these resources invaluable for managing tasks and maintaining a humming family schedule. I’ve incorporated several apps that simply make life easier.

For instance, shared calendar apps allow my family and me to track appointments, school events, and reminders all in one place. Everyone can input their schedules and see at a glance where we need to be and when. 

Meal planning and grocery lists have also been game changers.

I plan our meals for the week, and make a shopping list, ensuring I don’t overbuy which helps to reduce wastage. Using my notes app in my phone for my shopping list so I know I will have it with me when I am out.