It’s a new year, and that means a fresh start. Everyone makes resolutions; lose weight, go to the gym, stop smoking, etc. These are all great ways to improve your well being; but what about where you live? Another good way to boost yourself is to enhance the spaces you spend the most time in. It’s typical to put your home on the back burner until it comes time for that dreaded spring cleaning. But what if spring cleaning didn’t have to be something that you dread? What if it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming?
Good news! It doesn’t! The main reason that spring cleaning seems stressful is because there is SO much to do during a short period of time. The main things people do during this time are sorting and wiping down. Take the time this winter to do the sorting! This way, you’re dividing the tasks that you have to do over a longer period of time. Plus, spring is a great time for garage/yard sales…think of how nice it will be to already have some boxes put away for this event! You’ve already made the resolution to freshen yourself up, it’s time to do the same for your home! Keep in mind the sales that are going on this time of year …January calls for white sales! Maybe it’s time to put those old sheets in the garage sale pile and pick up some sustainable bamboo ones? They get softer every time you wash them, it’s what I have and I love them!
So let’s talk organization. I recently took on a project helping my mother organize her basement, which let me tell you, was an avoided area for years. It seemed to be the place that held triples of every appliance, holiday decorations from floor to ceiling, an entire room filled with teaching supplies, and every other possible knick knack you can think of. Nobody had seen the floor in years. Anyone would be overwhelmed in this situation, but this is why you have your “must have tools” for organizing.
You will need (at a minimum):
- Rubber Storage Boxes
o These should all preferably be the same color; you don’t want to be visually over stimulated when looking at an organized room. Of course there are exceptions; I like to use the red and green boxes for my Christmas decorations and the orange and black, or even purple boxes for Halloween. Getting the same type of container allows for them to stack easily, making a great space saver. Also, depending on what it is that you’re organizing, think about what room you’re in and what areas you’re forgetting about to use as storage. Maybe you have a lot of shoes or purses in your bedroom that are taking up space in your closet, but you don’t want to toss them. The flat, long storage containers are perfect for these items while conveniently hiding under your bed; they even come on wheels for easy access.
- Labels/Marker
o It is so important to label everything. You could have the most organized space of all time, and still not know where anything is without labels. Go to your local office supply store and pick up a package of white sticker labels for a few dollars, and a sharpie. If you’re in a pinch, masking tape will suffice. You don’t have to write down everything in the box…that can once again start to get overwhelming. I suggest organizing in such a way that the boxes have different categories. For example, I found a ton of glitter, stickers, paint, glue and paper (all in different boxes of course); I put them all together and labeled the box “Crafts”.
- get creative with your labels -
- Cleaning Supplies
o You will be amazed at the amount of dust you will kick up during your project! Be prepared with some micro fiber dusting clothes, some all purpose cleaner and a vacuum! Once you get an area cleaned and filled with some appropriately labeled containers, don’t EVER use that area to straighten another area out! This is one of my most important rules! To give you an example, I had helped my mother straighten one of the rooms in her basement; it looked pristine by the time we were done with it. I was coming back the next day to help with the next room. However, she had started without me, and decided to start clearing out the next room by placing every item from it into the newly organized room (to see what she had found more clearly of course). You couldn’t even see the work we had already accomplished because it was so cluttered again. Once you get an area organized, leave it alone!!
So get motivated, and get organized. The New Year always calls for improvements, and that includes your home as well! You won’t believe the results…you may like it so much that you’ll find new things to organize, such as your kitchen drawers, your cabinets, etc. Just remember key strategies (categories, alphabetizing, labeling) and you’ll be on your way to success!
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