Before we start talking about how to organize your home, you first want to understand what you actually want. The building blocks of creating and maintaining an organized home are lifestyle, mindset, and momentum.
Having an organized home isn’t a one-and-done project. I’m sure you’ve seen or heard of TV shows where a crew comes into a messy home, removes everything, sets it up, and leaves. This may seem appealing to you–many people are overwhelmed at the thought of going through their belongings, making a decision about each item, and then maintaining an organized home. Wouldn’t it be easier to have someone just come in and do it for you?
The problem with one-and-done organizing is that it doesn’t help you build new habits. Your home might look nice right then, but if the way someone else organized your things doesn’t suit you, and you don’t know how to keep it organized, the clutter will come right back. It’s a learned skill and one that anyone can learn. And there is nothing wrong with using an organizing service like Organize to Excel to help you with that on a regular basis. An organized home is much easier to keep that way!
Lifestyle
Imagine your ideal home–what’s it like? How much space do you want in each room? Are you a collector? Do you have roommates, children, or a significant other living with you? Asking yourself questions like these puts a clear picture of your ideal home in your mind, and once you have that, you have a goal.
Whether you’re a minimalist, collector, or prefer a cozy home determines how you’re going to declutter and set up your home. Check out this earlier post I wrote for more information about this.
Mindset
What’s important to you? Knowing what you value is another way to clarify your home organization goals. If you love cooking, your ideal kitchen will look very different from someone who prefers takeout.
How do you talk to yourself about organization? Positive self-talk is an important tool for someone trying to get organized. Negativity and being hard on yourself makes the road toward success a lot more bumpy.
How easy or difficult is it for you to let go of items? Making an honest self-assessment about how hard it is for you to let items go prepares you for the work. If you find you have a hard time letting go of objects, you’ll know to take your time and not try to race through the process (and be kinder to yourself!).
Momentum
Once you’ve achieved your goal of organizing your home, the challenge becomes keeping it that way! I’ve written before about how to incorporate a new habit into your life, and I can’t overstate how much power habits can have.
When you know what you’re working towards, keep a positive mindset, and use habits to your advantage, you can create and keep your ideal home!
I hope that by focusing on lifestyle, mindset, and momentum, you get closer to your goal of an organized home! I’d love to hear what your lifestyle, mindset, and momentum are in the comments!
So many great questions and things to consider! I love what you shared. And the point about organizing habits as a learned skill is so essential. Sure, there are organizers and clients that prefer the organizer to come in and do FOR them. But that is a completely different scenario than the organizing helping a client to learn organizing habits and systems based on their specific goals, needs, and lifestyle. Once learned, the client is empowered to apply those to all aspects of their life. Being able to tap into some ongoing support is helpful too.
I love the way you phrased that, I love empowering clients!
I agree! It is very important to plan and think about what is important to you in the home. Determining the goal for each room is essential too. Is one room a multi-functional room? A person needs to know before changing the space.
Exactly, Sabrina!
I find the whole process of organizing is easier when we know where we are headed. Otherwise, we are just wrestling with difficult decisions about stuff. But if I know I want to have a home where I can invite guests without having to spend three days “picking up,” this can keep me motivated and focused as I work through my home.
I do believe we all have a different idea of what “comfortable” is, and it is important to acknowledge that this is perfectly fine. The goal is to craft (and then, as you say, maintain) the space that is comfortable for you.
Yep, everyone’s dream home is a little different, and it’s worth taking the time to know what yours is before you start organizing!
These are stellar considerations; trying to organize your home without thinking realistically about your lifestyle (and the lifestyle of those with whom you live) will always end up with more obstacles, and failing to develop a goal-oriented, positive mindset will likely lead you astray. The advice you give is top-notch, because you have to know yourself, and know what you want, before beginning.
Thanks so much, Julie! Yes, organizing starts with knowing yourself better. I think it’s a great way to discover more about yourself.