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The Most Important Organizing Step (That Almost Everyone Forgets)
As seen on Huffington Post
I’m sure you've seen lists all over your feeds claiming to get you organized in just a few simple steps. Hey, I’ve written the process I go through to organize a space as well (shameless link to my past blog here!). Let’s face it, lists read well. People like them and if you throw in some pretty images they’re super-pinnable. But lately I’ve begun noticing the missing link in all of those posts (mine included), the last step that is so important but doesn’t always make the cut. “Put it back!”
I can often be heard saying that there is no magic wand to wave when it comes to organizing. It’s not a well kept secret that some of us have neglected to share. Like anything else, it requires work. No matter how fabulous an organization system you have set up, it isn’t going to maintain itself. That super cute new closet system you just installed isn’t going to look quite so pretty a week in if you keep leaving your clothes all over the floor.
This “put it back” step is something that everyone struggles with. I’ve had tell myself to take a deep breath in front of clients after I’ve seen all the hard work they’ve done crumble. I’m guilty of it too, sometimes I’m just too tired, too busy or, let’s face it, too lazy to put something back. We all have our moments but they need to be just that. Moments. Our default reaction after we have taken something out and used it can’t be to just leave it. All of those little things we leave throughout the day or week can add up to overwhelm fast.
Obviously this is all easier said than done but here are a few tips to help you crush this step.
Make it Pretty
I’m going to use the same concept as “if you look good, you feel good” for this one. If you have built a beautiful system to keep you organized, both in looks and function you’ll be more likely to maintain it. So go ahead and line those drawers that no one but you sees with beautiful paper. Splurge on getting new hangers so they are all the same. Make pretty little labels for all of your things even if you don’t need them. The better it looks the more likely you will be to keep it that way.
Follow the One Minute Rule
I’ve quoted her before, but it works. Gretchen Rubin urges us that if we have a task that takes less than one minute to just push ourselves to do it. In our fast paced life of list-making and prioritizing this rule takes away the self doubt. If you stop to think about it you’ll be dead in the water, you’ll spend your time thinking about the other things you could or should do with that minute. So put the dish away, replace the toilet paper, hang the dress back up, file that paper. It’s a great way to keep up without feeling like you put too much effort or time in.
Make it a Habit
There are tons of ways to make something a habit or routine. Just Google it (when you’re done reading this of course) and find the way that works for you. Sometimes we need to just do something everyday to make it happen. If you get into the habit of dealing with your mail as you get it instead leaving it in a pile near the door pretty soon you won’t have to think about it, it will become second nature.
Just Do It
Sometimes you just need to force yourself to do something. It isn't fun. There are no neat little tricks. You just have to do it. There are tasks that aren’t enjoyable and just plain suck but they still need to get done. So take a breath and pull up your big-girl panties (or boy panties, I guess I’m kind of gender stereotyping who is most likely to read this) and just get it done..
Good Luck & Happy Organizing!
How A Professional Organizer Tidies Up Under The Sink
As seen in Huffington Post
My last post tackled starting small with your organizing as a way to motivate you onto the bigger projects. I focused on steps you can use to tackle the often forgotten about space under the sink, but really you can apply those steps to other spaces that need a bit of love. Since one of the biggest questions I get is “How do you keep your home organized” I thought you might appreciate a look into my home. Particularly under my sink and how I deal with it when it is no longer working.
The space wasn’t a disaster but definitely needed an update. It’s always a good plan to identify what your problem is before going in to fix it. My two biggest issues were that: 1. We use a lot of washcloths to wipe kid’s face and hands and the dirty ones kept congregating on the counter until I got fed up enough to bring them to the laundry room. 2. The stackable bins I was using wouldn’t stay stacked and what I had in them wasn’t accessible enough for me.
The third issue was that no one other than me was really maintaining my system. What was intuitive to me wasn’t as straightforward to my husband and my kids couldn’t grab a washcloth or hand towel with turning everything upside down.
I had a few minutes one day and decided to deal with this space. So out everything came and the inside got a thorough wipe down. Once all the products came out and they were sorted I took inventory of what I really needed to keep there. I have to admit, since I had already pared down what was stored there some time ago the list wasn’t very long. My biggest challenges was really getting everything back under the sink in a way that A. made sense for how I used it and B. was going to be maintained by others.
With a husband, a 5 year old and 3 year old this was no small feat. Clearly what I was doing before wasn’t working so I decided to keep it simple. Very simple. The most used items needed to be right in front and it needed to be SUPER clear where things went.
The recycling bin was a non-movable. It’s the most convenient and out of sight spot for us to have it. Unfortunately that means I lose about half my space. Saving the earth takes sacrifice! I picked up a small plastic shelf from the dollar store and grabbed some bins that both fit what I needed to store and could go in the space the shelf allowed for.
My under the sink essentials are washcloths, kitchen towels, dish sponges, clothes to clean the counter and dishwasher detergent (because we seriously run that thing once a day!) I also needed a convenient spot to put all the dirty cloths and towels so they wouldn’t end up on the counter. Since my kids can’t read yet, I realized that not only did I have to label them but they needed to be in different containers so I could identify them to my children. Oh, you need a washcloth? That’s in the clear bin. You took my hand towel to clean the water you spilled all over the floor because your toys need a bath? No problem, just throw it in the green bucket.
So back everything went into it’s clearly designated space. I also store a few items that only I really use behind the shelf. Special cleaner for the stovetop, white vinegar and the cleaning concentrate I use to make up the spray I use on the counters. You’ll notice I don’t really store cleaning products under the sink. Over the years I have really pared down what I use in the kitchen. I only use dish soap and a spray for the counters and they both stay up top in a tray next to the sink. The amount of times my children literally lick food off the table has made me very careful about what I use to clean.
The last part of this space is the inside of the doors. I didn’t change anything around this time but I do use them to hang rubber gloves (which I wear only if my nails are done which unfortunately is very infrequently, they usually get nabbed by my three year old when she plays dress-up) and a place for the plastic bags that we accumulate.
I did this under the sink update a little over two months ago and haven’t had an issue since. Yes the occasional washcloth or dirty towel still finds it’s way to the counter but that’s just life. It really is the small changes that make a big difference. When you see how much positive can come out of a few small changes it can be very motivating to tackle some slightly bigger projects.
Happy Organizing! If you want to send me a peek under your kitchen sink get in touch here.
Ignore The Big Picture: Small Steps To Get You Organized
As seen in Huffington Post
Getting organized doesn’t need to be about a complete overhaul of your entire house. Sometimes small tweaks can have a significant impact. One of the top complaints I get from my clients, and the reason they turn to me, is that they are overwhelmed with the general lack of organization and they don’t know where to start. The thought of reorganizing their home all at once is such a huge undertaking that they get stuck at the first step. The truth is that sometimes looking at the big picture can be overwhelming.
Most of us don’t have hours to set aside to reorganize an entire room, so try to zone in on a smaller area of the space that is contributing to the larger problem. Take the kitchen. Whether we like it or not we end up spending a lot of time in there and it is often a space we gather with company. My kitchen isn’t very large, yet for some reason when my entire family is over (we are 16 with all the adults and kids) people gravitate towards the kitchen and stay there. The last thing you want to do when you have guests over is to open a drawer or pantry door with everyone watching and have them see the disaster within.
So let’s tackle one of these disasters today; the dark abyss under the sink. Since we generally don’t keep food under the sink it tends to be one of the most ignored spots in the kitchen. It is easy to assume that musty smell is normal and that there may be some unknown product (or creature) way at the back that will live out the rest of it’s days there. It really doesn’t have to be that way, I promise.
Take it all out
Get everything out. You really want to see what has been lurking under there. Cleaning products, wet rags, garbage, and extra sponges, whatever it is get it out.
Wipe it down
Give this space a really thorough cleaning. I don’t just mean the bottom, take advantage of the fact that you have completely emptied the space and tackle the side and the inside of the doors as well. There are obviously some stains that aren’t going anywhere but I have come to rely on my magic eraser a great deal. When your all-purpose cleaner won’t do the trick I always bring in the magic eraser as my pinch hitter. Most of the time it gets the job done.
Make it pretty
I am a huge fan of cheap and easy solutions. Naturally, Contact paper is one of my BFFs. Pick a nice pattern or color and slap it on the bottom. It looks good and makes the surface easier to wipe down. Bonus: if it gets too stained or grody you can just swap it out.
Sort it
Remember all that stuff you pulled out from under there? Now is the time to deal with it. Put Like with Like .
Declutter
What do you really need under your sink? Only you can answer that question but chances are you can pare down what you have. Try to make the goal to keep only what you are actually using in that space. Find another home in your house for the bathroom cleaners, light bulbs, products that haven’t been touched in years and other randoms that have found their way there. Also try to avoid having all your backup products here. Only keep the one you are currently using.
Get some gear
Now that you know what is staying under the sink you need some products to help keep it organized. Plastic is great for this space since it is easy to clean. Find containers that work for what you’re keeping and try to not make it a tight fit. It’s always good to have a little wiggle room. Don’t forget about the using the vertical space under there. A sturdy plastic shelf, stackable bins, tension rod to hang spray bottles, hooks on the inside of the door; these are all great ways to increase your storage space.
Label it
I’ve said this before but labeling is a great way to keep organized, look nice and ensure that the other people in your home don’t mess up the system because “uh, sorry, I didn’t know where to put it so I just threw it back there.”
Live with it
You may have to make some minor (or major) tweaks to your system. That’s okay. Our needs change over time so don’t be afraid to adapt to that. A good organizing system should be relatively easy for you to maintain.
Starting with the easy stuff first isn’t the lazy way out. Sometimes it is just the motivation we need to move forward. Choose a 10-15 minute project (FYI this means ONE drawer or shelf) and just get ‘er done. It may just start the snowball effect you need to deal with the rest of the space!
Happy Organizing! Email me with your organizing questions or before and after pictures of your under-the-sink space.