The “before” picture above is indicative of a typical household. It’s a family of five with three kids all under the age of 15. This room may resemble a room in your own home. Items are piled on the floor. Shelves are stuffed. You have to climb over things to find something you need. Daily chores can’t be done efficiently because things are in the way. If this sounds familiar to you, you aren’t alone. Most homes I work in suffer from the same issues.
This family doesn’t have an excess of belongings; they aren’t purchasing more than necessary. They are capable of organizing and cleaning. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, and let’s be honest—organizing and cleaning are not enjoyable tasks for most people. So, why do so many families face these challenges? And, how can you achieve the organized results seen in the picture above?
Not Everyone Possesses Strong Organizing Skills
Many families find themselves overwhelmed by disorganization because they either don’t enjoy organizing or lack the necessary skills. Organizing is not an innate ability that everyone possesses; it requires practice and consistent attention, much like learning to play the guitar. You only improve through regular practice and by learning from someone who has more experience. For some reason, many families—especially women—feel they should naturally know how to organize. This belief is simply not true, and it often leads to feelings of guilt and insecurity, particularly among mothers. These negative emotions can result in further avoidance of organizing tasks.
Time Management Becomes a Struggle
When you feel insecure and guilty about completing a task, you’re less likely to make time for it. Instead, you’ll prioritize activities that you enjoy more, or you may find yourself constantly reacting to immediate issues. This reaction mode can cause you to focus only on urgent tasks, resulting in a lack of control over your time and leading to burnout. Consequently, the household suffers. Women often feel this burden when spending time with their families; they are frequently reminded of their struggles with time management and the prioritization of home maintenance. As a result, feelings of guilt and insecurity can increase.
Planning Becomes Overwhelming
When you start to feel burnt out, it’s a sign that you need to take time to get organized. However, your home may have become so unmanageable that you feel overwhelmed. How can you plan an organizing project when you’re already struggling with organization skills and lack the time to tackle the task? This is often when I receive calls from frustrated families, especially from moms.
If this situation sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Many of my clients feel real relief when they hear me say that. I hope you find relief reading it here. The first step is being kind to yourself and accepting that you are not broken. Organizing is hard. And don’t let anyone tell you differently.
So now that you have given yourself the mental pep talk, what can you do? I will share with you how I help moms (and families) get organized and how I tackle organizing projects.
Define the Purpose of your Space
Identifying the main purpose of a room is usually straightforward. However, some rooms serve multiple functions, which can complicate their use. To make the space more effective, define its purpose as clearly and concisely as possible. Ideally, limit the room’s functions to no more than two, with three being the absolute maximum.
Once you establish the room’s purpose, it becomes easier to recognize what doesn’t belong there. You’ll start to notice items that are out of place and should be relocated. This process helps eliminate unnecessary distractions, making your goals for the space clearer. As things begin to fall into place, you’ll likely experience a positive reaction, which can serve as motivation to keep going!
Create Zones in Your Room
When a room serves multiple purposes, it’s important to zone off the space effectively. First, determine where each task will take place. For example, if the room functions as a laundry room, craft room, and utility room, you should identify specific areas for each activity.
Place laundry-related items near the washer and dryer. Position craft supplies close to a large table designated for crafting. Store utility items on a shelf in an appropriate area. Once you’ve established these zones, the organization of the room will start to come together. You’ll likely feel more motivated and confident about moving forward with your plans.
Begin Sorting
Sort your items based on the different zones in the room. Although it may create a big mess initially, this method will help you organize everything effectively. You will start to notice how many pairs of scissors, screwdrivers, and other items you own. Additionally, you may discover items from other rooms that can be included in your sorting process, leading to a cleaner home overall.
By categorizing your belongings, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions about what to keep and what no longer serves a purpose in your home. You’ll identify items that can be donated or gifted to friends. The process of making these decisions becomes like exercising a muscle; with practice, you build strength and confidence. It feels great, and this accomplishment will motivate you to continue your organizing journey.
Contain Your Stuff
Most homes I work in already have unused containers. You likely have many bins or boxes at your disposal to organize your items. If not, purchasing the right bins can enhance your home’s appearance and improve the systems you’re implementing. I aim for a consistent look because it creates a more organized and intentional feel. To achieve this, I recommend buying several bins in the same style and using different sizes based on the quantity of each category. Additionally, I always measure the bins and the space where they will go to ensure they fit on shelves, under tables, or between furniture.
Final Suggestions
When organizing any room, it’s important to remember that the process may take more time than anticipated. Organizing requires a significant amount of mental and physical stamina. If you believe that a space can be organized in a couple of hours, I recommend doubling that estimate. This will help you manage your time realistically and prevent feelings of defeat if the task takes longer than expected.
Additionally, approach any organizing project with the understanding that your plans may change. The organizing process is often a process of trial and error. You might find that a system you implemented doesn’t work as well as you hoped after trying it out for a while. By keeping this expectation in mind, you won’t be too hard on yourself if adjustments are needed.
When you implement new systems, give yourself time to adapt to them. Over time, you’ll find that the changes you make will become less frequent. However, remember that our needs are constantly evolving, so allow yourself the flexibility to make updates as those needs change.
Oh, and take before and after pictures like I do!
If you need help with organizing your home, call Sara Jane Organizing. The pictures above show the work that can be done in just one day! The process starts with a FREE phone consultation, which you can schedule here. We offer in-home services and virtual organizing services!
