It’s a busy time for us Organizers, January. It’s when, as we plan for new beginnings in the new year, we decide; no, wait, – we resolve, we are resolute, we make the resolution – to get organized at last. That’s why January is Get Organized Month. If it’s on your list, I would like to help you honor that resolution with some simple words of inspiration and a tip or two to get you started.
First, my favorite organizing quote, by Wiliam Morris:
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
or mine, when it comes to making letting go decisions:
“Get arrogant and be brutal with your stuff to be kind to yourself”
…because when you are organized, life is easier. You find what you need, you are not losing things, everything is in its place ready to serve beautiful, productive you.
I often get the question, how do I get started? These two blog posts tell the long story. They make up a document I call “Organizing 101”. If you want me to email you the document, just let me know.
The short story is one of two ways.
- You can do a little bit over time. Choose one drawer (15 minutes), one space (closet, 1 hour) or one room (3 to 5 hours), then set a timer and get started.
- You can complete the effort in one big committed life project. This method has a better chance of disrupting your life in the short run but changing your life significantly, for the better, magically, in the long run. The Marie Kondo method takes this route and sets it at 6 months. If you are really serious about it, the easiest way, if I might be so bold, is to hire an Organizer. Organizers ensure it gets scheduled; will customize the work to your goals, flow, and way of thinking; impart coaching skills that make it last and can even bring in crew to extend your dollar and speed up the effort. I would suggest that if you have had this resolution on your list for years, the time might be now to make an investment.
Organizing is not inherent for many of us, yet it is a skill that can be learned.
Go for it. I’m with you. Please let me know how it goes.