Organizing to Simplify Your Life â¨
Are You Living the Chaos Trap? đ¤¯
Let's be real: Living in chaos is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, people who are constantly running around in a whirlwind look busy. I know this trap well because I was caught right in it before I became a Professional Organizer!
I used to think the busier I was, the more productive I was—until I just couldn't keep up anymore. That exhaustion is what led me down the path to simplify my life, and living organized became the vehicle for that total transformation.
This wasn't just about one messy drawer; it meant getting organized in all areas of my life. The magic key? Creating simple and easy-to-use systems.
đ The 3 Pillars of a Simplified Organizing System
A simplified system isn't complicated. Here are the three non-negotiables I learned:
- It Has to Be Sustainable đ
"Sustainable" means you can keep it going. This isn't a quick fix where you organize one space for a week and then crash back into chaos. This is a lifestyle change!
- It’s Maintained: Every system I put in place was easy enough to maintain long-term.
- It Makes Sense: I created it, so it made perfect sense to me, and the goal was always to enhance my life.
For example, I was done living in chaos. I started meal planning so I could cook healthier food for my family. I also organized my closet so my frequently worn items were right up front, and all my shoes were gathered in one place. This saved me so much time—no more frantic searches for a matching pair when I was running out the door! âąī¸
Pro Tip: Find one central spot for the mail! Paper clutter was a huge struggle for me, but this seemingly trivial change made a massive difference. Guess what? These systems are still in place over ten years later!
- It Has to Be Teachable đŠđĢ
The system needs to be shareable, especially with your family! If only you can maintain the organization, it's not a successful system.
- Communicate Expectations: I taught my kids how to create systems that work for them in their own rooms. More importantly, I clearly defined what the common areas of the house should look like and what their role was.
- Define "Clean": It does no good to say, "Clean the living room" if you haven't clearly defined what you expect that to look like.
- Keep it Simple: The systems we put in place were easy enough for everyone to follow. That's the beauty of simplifying! Our basic ground rule: If you get it out, you put it back when you are done!
- It Has to Be Easy to Reset âŠī¸
Life happens. There will be times when chaos rears its ugly head. The good news is that in an already organized space, that mess is likely to be temporary.
- You Have a Blueprint: Because you have a system in place, you have a blueprint for getting things back in order pretty quickly. The framework is already there; it just takes a little time to take action.
- Peace of Mind: Once order is restored, you are fully living organized again. Life throws curveballs, but the peace of mind you get from knowing your simplified system is there is truly invaluable.
đĄ Your Organizing Mindset
As you create organizing systems for your home, always remember your purpose for doing so. This helps you tailor the system perfectly to your space and your specific needs.
And remember: A system may need to be readjusted sometimes, and that is totally okay! The only measure of success for your system is how much it improves your daily life.
đ Continue Your Journey with Keeping It Simple
If you’re ready to take the next step in your organizing journey, check out Keeping It Simple Membership — a one-time, fixed-fee membership filled with organizing ideas, tools, and inspiration to help you stay consistent and clutter-free.
Which of these three pillars (Sustainable, Teachable, or Easy to Reset) do YOU struggle with the most right now? Let me know in by sharing your thoughts and insights via email [email protected]
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