Organization for the Unorganized: Declutter Your Space

Are you an unorganized person like me? Somedays my life looks put together, but that lasts, oh about, one day. I’ve even had jobs where it’s my main responsibility to keep everything in order, on time, on task and organized. I only remained in those jobs for a short while.

Why, because they exhausted me. I’m just not the organized type. Sure, I like the idea of being organized. I like to be able to find my phone and favorite pen everyday. But no, that’s not me. (I’m thankful for the Apple Watch that allows me to ping my phone!). It took me a while to actually realize that I don’t have the personality of an organized person. And I’m actually pretty  bad at organization, it’s just not a strength of mine.

That’s ok, there are plenty of people out there that are organized, neat, tidy, and detailed. They are perfect for giving me tips and tricks on how to make my life a little easier. No, I can’t do everything they recommend, and sometimes I find their ways a little overwhelming. I have to find what works for me. What I’m able to do that I won’t give up on within a short time. Then I have to remind myself to keep up this new method, this new habit, so my life can run a little smoother.

Often I have to reboot or I find some new greater way to be organized. Really, I run from one organization tip to another. What my desk looks like today, will not be the same as tomorrow. I’ve learned to be ok with this and my husband has learned that organization is not my strength. However, I can’t let my weaknesses control my life. I do try to work on following a few tips here and there so I can be more efficient and organized.

I recently found a great article in a Better Homes and Garden magazine that focuses on the Secrets of Getting Organized. One of my favorite articles in there is on the 2 Methods to Declutter. What fantastic tips professional organizers, Lorie Marrero and Kathy Jenkins, have. Not only do they give you some direction on decluttering, but they give you 2 ways to do it. How great is that!

Declutter Method 1: ABCD

This method teaches you how to prioritize your items and their storage spots by sorting your items into one of four groups.

ITEM

• A: Items used daily (calendar, pens, charger, clock)
• B: Items used weekly or monthly (binder, files, shredder)
• C: Items used rarely or seasonally (office supplies)
• D: Items seldom or never used (decorations/trinkets, old books or projects)

STORAGE SPOT

• A: Eye level and easily accessible
• B: Minor effort to reach (in drawer or container)
• C: Less accessible (high shelf, lower cabinet or drawer)
• D: Completely out of the way (bookshelf, closet, another room)

As your tidying up your desk or bathroom counter, keep ABCD items and storage spots in mind. Your A items should be at eye level where you can easily access them. Your B items are something you use regularly, but not all the time, these should be put slightly out of the way, but very easy to access. Your C items should be put on higher shelves, out of the way. D items should be moved off and away from your desk or counter, put in a closet or another room.

Declutter Method 2: SIMPLE

This method teaches you how to make logical decisions on where to keep stuff based on groupings of like items.

• S: Sort like items (pens & pencils together)
• I: Identify what to keep (get rid of pens that don’t work or utensils that you don’t use)
• M: Make a home for each item (designate a spot for each grouping of items)
• P: Place items in containers (containers help to keep items together better, rubber bands work great too)
• L: Label containers/locations (label each area and place items back in those areas when done using them)
• E: Establish a routine that works for you (find a routine that helps you keep up with your SIMPLE method, set a weekly or monthly reminder on your phone or tidy up each evening before bed)

1. Planner easily accessible. I often refer to this throughout the day.
2. Coffee, essential to have within easy & quick reach!!
3. Calendar, front and center. Even though I have my planner, my calendar is great for a quick glance at the dates and pre-planning.
4. Files, rulers & scissors, also a few extra pens & pencils, out of the way, but fairly easy to access.
5. My most used bathroom get ready essentials. Easy and quick to get.
6. Under my bathroom counter, hairdryer & curling iron, out of the way, but easy to grab, and they have their own home.
7. Brushes.
8. Hair thingies, hair ties, clips (looks like there is a nail file there, oops!).
9. Travel items, C item that is out of the way, I only use when I fly, but I know where they are at.
10. Extra toiletries, on bottom shelf in bathroom, out of the way, but there if I need them.

My Method

I even find that a combination of both of these methods can work together. I personally like to group like things together and prioritize where to put them based on how often I use a particular item.

Not every part of my house is set up like this, as a matter of fact, my desk & drawers are currently a bit messy (see below!). But it does follow more of the ABCD method. I just need to remember the E in the SIMPLE method and establish a routine to keep my desk organized and tidy.

What methods have you found to work for you?