Week 3: Get Organized

Updated from its original format. First published Sept 9, 2013

I have a confession to make.

I have been known to be disorganized.

Mind you, I don’t show up late to work and I generally don’t misplace my wallet, keys, phone, glasses or the things typically “disorganized people” do.

But I tend to accumulate "stuff" that sits around because I don't know how to process it.

My home office can get cluttered if I am not paying attention.

I am getting better, but in the past it was not uncommon for me to move the same unopened boxes of stuff from hourse to house.

My closet, at times, might have been the secert entrance to Fraggle Rock or Narnia, but you would have had to survive the mountain of clothes I never wore and boxes full of stuff I never opened to find out.

By now you may be thinking, “Why would I take organizational advice from Erin? She just told me she was a hot mess for a long time when it comes to this topic!”

The reason, friend, is that, like so many of us, I am good at doing things for other people that I don’t do for myself (we will talk about that one in a later post). A big part of my past work as a tour manager and administrative assistant was organizing things for other people. 

And over the years I have improved so even though I have a toddler who loves to throw clean laundry into a large pile and leave an obstacle course of toys on the floor I can still pull my home together in a few hours a week (most of the time).

So I want to give hope to my disorganized yogis out there who may feel that they will never be free from their clutter. Lets do this together, clear out the space, let go of the stuff we don't need anymore ...and maybe find Narnia.

Living – My recommendation is to start with a clean slate. If you have the time and ambition, clean your home well. Get the ball rolling with a clean living space and you will feel better, which will in turn motivate you to keep going.

If you don’t have the time, hire someone to clean for you. A few years ago, I read Lisa Bloom’s great book "Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World" (Amazon affiliate link). The title suggests that only women have something to learn from this book, but it is not true. One of her suggestions is to get someone to clean your home a few times a month. It does cost money, yes, but calling in a pro gives you time back in your week, and they will give you that wonderful feeling of living in a home that sparkles. Plus a pro will probably do the job in less time than you since they won't be getting sidetracked by a phone call, email, or writing a blog post about how to get organized :).

Once the deep clean is done, spend 10-20 min each day decluttering one area of your living space. If you have more time, you can tackle an entire room, but it is best to start small because this can eat up your time quickly. Here's the technique:

1. Take four bags or bins labeled: Trash, Recycle, Donate, Belongs Elsewhere
2. In the area you are decluttering, place each item in one of those bags and put back anything that belongs where it is.
3. Immediately find the home of the “Belongs Elsewhere” stuff (seriously, don’t wait on this one). Don’t stop until that bag is empty and everything is in its home.
4. Take out the trash and recycling so it isn’t cluttering your living space. Once the donation bag is full give it away to a local charity or a friend who needs what you have. In the Hamilton area, certain organizations will happily come to your house and pick up your unwanted clothes and books and donate them.