Overwhelmed with Mess and Clutter? 😅 How to Finally Get Organized - in a Super Aligned Way! ✨
🎶 Something amazing is about to shine through! 🎶
From the song, “Something Amazing”, by Suzan Alakas
You know and FEEL that organization brings peace to your mind - less things around to overwhelm your brain, it’s easier for you to find things, and helps to keep areas clean of dust, crumbs and unwanted critters! 😬
BUT - there are so many conflicting methods of HOW to organize! Which is the best way?
✨ This blog post explores a variety of approaches and philosophies, and how to determine which ways to organize are right for you! Let’s jump in! ✨
• Originally written: 30 October 2023
• Last updated: 30 October 2023
• Written by: Suzan Alakas
Suzan is Growtharmony’s Founder and Editor-In-Chief. She is passionate about spreading the amazing work and inspiring stories of heart-centered, women entrepreneurs with effective, kind communication. When Suzan’s not songwriting, finding leverage points or learning something new - you can find her in the garden, playing in the snow with her family, or in the kitchen cooking up a nourishing meal!
We are all different! Even when it comes to organizing!
As with almost everything, there are a variety of philosophies and approaches to reach your organization goals!
At Growtharmony, we believe the same applies to organizing! There is no one-size-fits all! It depends on:
How much time or energy do you have?
How much of a priority is it?
How large is the space?
Are you tackling the project by yourself or with others?
What’s your budget?
What are your 3Ps (Personality, Purpose and Passions!)
Rather than us telling you what is “the best way to organize”, (which I don’t think exists!) here is some information about common organization methods, ask yourself these questions to discover which approach(es) are the most aligned to YOU and your situation!
Consider and play with the following techniques:
Section Organizing VS. Flow Organizing
There are times when I want to organize one area thoroughly, top to bottom - for example a drawer, a closet, a shelf, etc. ! I call this “Section Organizing”. Once I have one area nice and tidy, it gives me a feeling of accomplishment and motivation to move on to the next space! And if I don’t have a lot of time to organize a whole room, at least a part of it is done!
Other times I set aside time to organize and put each item away as I notice it’s out of place - responding to my environment and darting from room to room! I call this “Flow Organizing”. I’m usually in an organizing mood, and want to put things away that are distracting or bothering me!
Personally, choosing between Section Organizing and Flow Organizing usually it depends on the size of the space (or how much time I have before guests arrive)! 😉
Here are some questions to consider:
Which space has the greatest impact on your well-being? For example, what space makes you feel uncomfortable when it’s messy? Or what space makes you feel most calm when it’s organized?
Have you tried taking time to tidy-up overall? For example, walking around and organizing 10 things that are out of place.
How much disorganization can you tolerate? Do you prefer all surfaces clean and things put away? Or do you like a home that feels more casual and “lived in”?
A Little Bit Each Day VS. One BIG Clean Up
Do you view organization as a project, or more like a habit?
Doing a little organizing each day can make the job seem manageable and bite sized.
On the other hand, one BIG clean up gives organization a finite start point and end point, so it doesn’t feel like it drags on and on!
I like to use both these techniques. A big clean up is usually prompted by a change in season, lifestyle change, visitor, or special event/party. A little each day seems to work well once a big clean is done to keep the small things from getting out of hand again! 🤩
Here are some questions to consider:
Do you enjoy organizing enough to do it regularly?
Is your schedule quite predictable that you can plan a regular time for organizing? Or is your schedule more random, when one larger clean up would be more feasible?
If you’ve tried both ways, which seems to work best for you? How might you combine the two?
Less Things VS. Well-Organized Things
Minimalism is a lifestyle that many have embraced! Having less things overall means less things to purchase, maintain and organize! Marie Kondo’s approach to only have things in your home that “Spark Joy” is an idea that I really resonate with!
However, personally, I don’t agree with Marie Kondo’s approach to “throw out” the things that no longer spark joy in your life. We may have items from our past that no longer make us feel excited anymore, and I believe in finding new uses or new homes for these items.
There is also another category of items - things that no longer spark joy but are still inherently useful! If you have separate space like an extra closet, basement, attic or storage space to keep these items for future use, it is a more sustainable approach that also results in less things in your general living area! ✨
Here are some questions to consider:
Do you tend towards minimalism or having more choices?
Do you have space in your home to store items that aren’t used regularly - like an extra closet, basement, attic or separate storage space?
How do you feel about parting with items that no longer “spark joy” in your life?
Consider Organizing NON-PHYSICAL Items - Digital, Emotional, Mental, etc.
There are many physical areas of our lives like our sleeping space, bathroom, kitchen, yard/balcony, etc. that we think about when we think of organization. Additionally, there are less tangible aspects of our lives that could do with organization - health, career, relationships, etc. in the digital, emotional and mental realms.
Physical objects can be grouped by purpose and ideally close to a location that it will be used. Subcategories like color, shape and more specific use are also helpful!
Digital items could be described in greater detail with searchable words, and categorized into folders so you can locate them easier.
Thoughts can be captured on paper so they stop spinning in your head.
Time and energy for relationships can be considered and prioritized.
Here are some questions to consider:
Are you responsible for managing and organizing items or tasks others - such as children, employees, volunteers, etc.? How could you organize these additional responsibilities along with your own?
How organized do consider your digital items? Do you prefer to delete or keep old files, emails, apps, etc.?
Do you have any systems for organizing your finances?
In Summary
Each of us are unique, and have varied life situations and organization projects. After scrolling through thousands of Pinterest organization hacks, I’ve realized that, there are many ways to approach organization and opportunities to determine which approach works best for us!
I hope this article has helped you to step back and reflect on your organization project, then explore which method fits you and your situation best!
Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” way, and if one approach doesn’t work for you - don’t beat yourself up! Learn from it and try again!
I believe in you and am here to support you as you gradually bring more organization, calm and peace into your life!
Happy Organizing! 🤩
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