Ask the Organizer: Where Do I Begin?

I’m often asked questions or tips on howto get organized. This week’s question is one of the most asked “where do I begin”.

The thought of tackling the clutter is so overwhelming that it brings some of my clients to tears. 

Ask yourself these questions.

Do you look forward to coming home at the end of the day the way it looks right now?

Do you avoid having people come to your home because you are embarrassed?

Do you think if I just had a bigger house things wouldn’t feel so cluttered?

Are you using an extra room as a storage area for your clutter?

Are your counters covered with stacks of papers?

If you answered yes to any of these questions it’s time to get motivated and start enjoying your new uncluttered organized home.

The only way to start is to start! No more excuses on why you can’t.

Living in clutter is not only stressful but it is emotionally unhealthy for those in your family especially children.

Children often don’t say anything to their parents because they have become use to living that way and cannot see change until it happens. I’m often told by many children and spouses when I’m done how happy they are now that the clutter is gone and how much they are enjoying the new organized space. Just the facial expressions from where we started and when I’m done are so amazing to see.

Start small but start somewhere. 

Tackle one room at a time

Schedule a donation pick up or drop off a bag once a week until you get a handle on the clutter. It really does make a difference!

Keep like things together. Go through your home and start grouping like things. Example: Keep office supplies in one area including bills and paperwork. Kitchen counters are not for stacks of paper and bills to be paid they are for cooking and serving food.

Hire a professional or get the help of an organized friend. Its okay to ask for help especially if you don’t feel you can tackle the project yourself. 

New seasons are a time for change and there is no better time than the present to begin the clearing the clutter, it will be life changing.

If you have an organizing question or just need motivation to begin the clutter clearing process leave a comment below.

Get Organized Before Tax Time

desktop-organizing

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | 6 | 7

Tax time is around the corner and there is no time like the present to clear the paper clutter and get organized.

The key to an organized office is to have a file system that works for you. My favorite go to item when organizing a clients office is a desktop file box with hanging files (white are my favorite).

Keep all the files that you need to access on a regular basis at your fingertips. They are not only functional but they look good when they are displayed on a desk or a shelf. 

Use the desk top file box for everyday tasks, weekly filing of household bills, managing clients paperwork or staying on top of  kids school papers. No more unattractive large filing cabinets are needed in order to get you organized.

Remember to shred old paperwork and file only what you need. If you aren’t sure what to keep this is a good resource.

Staying on top of filing prevents last minute panic when you are trying to find important papers.

 

Welcome to the Neatly Designed blog, where I share my favorite organization tips, and must-have organizing products.

Subscribe!

Sign up to receive new posts directly in your Inbox!

Shop my faves

Shop all my organizing faves

Partnerships

My Home Tour

Christine’s Top 10 Organizing Solutions

or, shop by the latest Instagram

Why is it so hard to let go?

The two words LETTING GO hold so much emotion in so many different ways. My job as an organizer is to help people let go of clutter which sometimes can be a difficult task. Many clients tell me when we are working together this is really hard and my response is “it’s not easy while you are doing it but when we are done you are going to be so happy you let go of the things you no longer need, use or love.”

How many times have you feared…

Letting go of things you no longer need or use

Letting go of past relationships

Letting go of places you have lived whether it’s a home or a town

Letting go of your grown children to make their own decisions or mistakes

Letting go of control over the things you can’t control

Letting go of what use to be

These are all related to change and change can be scary especially when you are going through it, but after you have reached the other side you can appreciate how important it is to just let go and see that the result has its rewards.

Quote by Hello Monday