Todays Organized Living
Organize: To Form Into A complete Functioning Whole
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive. If you can't find the information you are looking for, use the Contact Us page and we will do our best to update this page with an answer to your question.
Where should I start?
This is the most commonly asked question. I suggest starting in your bedroom. Your bedroom is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night. How you start your day has an effect on every part of the rest of your day. Waking up in a clean and uncluttered room starts us out calm and happy which helps us to deal with everything we encounter that day. In turn we relax more completely at night in the same environment which helps us to fall asleep more quickly and get a better quality sleep so that when we wake up the cycle continues. People often underestimate how powerful this is.
How do I start?
Small. Let us say that you want to start in your bedroom. The first step may be as simple as turning your hangers backwards. The next step is getting 3 boxes and labeling them donate, repair, and garbage. The next step would be to start sorting your clothes into these 3 boxes. If you can’t finish it at one time put a ribbon around the pole to mark where you left off. When your hanging clothes are complete start with 1 drawer at a time. On every shirt you keep put a safety pin on the tag. A year from now anything still hanging backwards on the hanger or anything left with a safety pin (when you wear something you hang it back in the closet with the hanger forward or remove the safety pin) means you haven’t worn it and should probably be donated.
What are some of the mistakes people make in getting organized?
1. Buying organizing products before you have purged.
2.Not measuring the space before purchasing products.
3.Not sorting completely. [Example] You have sorted all of the clothes in your closet and are getting ready to design a closet system but you have forgotten the 2 weeks worth of clothes in the laundry.
4.Thinking you have to spend a lot of money.
5.Starting too big.
What if I do everything right and the way I organized it just doesn’t work?
First don’t look at it as failure but success. The next thing you need to do is answer the question “Did I give it a fair try?“ if the answer is yes then evaluate why it didn’t work. Maybe you’ll find that most of what you did does work only a small part doesn’t. Then tweak it. You may need to scrap the whole system and start over but at least you will know what won’t work. This is the main reason I don’t want people to spend a lot of money at first. Wait until you find a system that works well, then spend the money, or better yet find a system that has the capability of changing with you.
I love my clutter so why should I get organized?
If your clutter does not in any way affect other people, does not keep you from being productive in a timely manner, and does not cause you any negative feelings….don’t! Some people just like to live among clutter. It only becomes a problem when it negatively affects our lives and/or the people around us.
Where is the best place to buy inexpensive organizing supplies?
There is no one such place. If you look at my links you will see places I like to shop. The problem often times is that you can’t purchase multiples of one item in local stores. If you are building shelving to store say holiday decorations it is unlikely you will be able to find 10 of the same storage containers unless you shop online. Some stores can order items for you but you still pay the shipping unless you can return to the store to pick them up when they come in. Usually when we are getting organized we have all of our “stuff” out and sorted into piles and don’t want to wait to get them. Trust me, I feel your pain! If we want it done right we have to be patient. You also need to plan for the wait. Instead of your piles being located in the middle of your kitchen floor maybe you could find a location that won’t be so inconvenient.
Why is it so much work to get organized?
Your right, the process of getting organized can be a lot of work. That is why you should start small and only start projects that you have time to finish. I know that it’s hard to be patient, in today’s world we all want instant gratification, but if you can be persistent in your organizing efforts it won’t be long before you start to feel the positives of an organized life. In the long run life will become less hectic, you will find that you have more time, and you will feel overall happier with all parts of your life. The old cliché is right: Hard work does pay off.
