Home organization can be tough without a long-term perspective. Decluttering and tidying up once is easy, but maintaining an organized space needs ongoing commitment and organizational habits. Here are a couple of essential points for lasting home organization:

Change your mindset: Organizing your home for the long term begins with a mindset shift. Consider it a continuing practice that improves your quality of life rather than a one-time endeavor. Recognize that having a tidy home will save time, ease stress, and make your family's environment more enjoyable.

Set consistent routines: Include house organization in your weekly or daily routines to help it become a habit. Even if your organizing sessions are brief and concentrated, schedule specific times to work on organizing activities. Maintaining a tidy space and keeping clutter from building up needs consistency.

Shift your house organization perspective and help your home stay organized with these 3 simple habits…

Tip #1: Start Small

Don't dwell on numerous extensive tasks. It's completely acceptable to target a mere 10% enhancement in your household organization. Here's why:

• Minor adjustments are easier to maintain and less overwhelming, leading to habits that bring a sense of accomplishment and motivation for the next goal.

• Setting smaller tasks are less intimidating and reduces the mental pressure associated with drastic changes. In this way, we are encouraged to show up every day and put in the effort even when we are not in the best mood. 

• Achieving modest tasks enables us to learn, adapt, and make efficient adjustments for things that work and or do not work and gradually boost our self-confidence.

Tip #2: Create Systems

Preparation is the foundation for an organized and stress-free life. It's essential for efficiency and peace of mind. Remember, organization doesn't magically happen. Here are some small organizing solutions to begin:

• Set up two trays for sorting mail. Having two trays for incoming and outgoing mail is a simple yet effective way to keep your correspondence organized. 

• Prepare a digital calendar and task list. Utilize a calendar or digital tools to create a weekly planner and to-do list. This way, you can track appointments, tasks, and deadlines while setting reminders and notifications for essential events and assignments. 

• Declutter regularly. Clutter is the enemy of home organization. Designate specific times to declutter your living space to prevent your home from becoming overrun with stuff. Set the "one in-one out" rule, which has you give or get rid of one item every time one comes into your house.

• Create a labeling system: For easy finding, properly label your storage containers, files, or shelves for quick access. Consider using a color-coding system for better categorization. 

• Prepare storage solutions. Invest in storage solutions like clear containers, baskets, and shelves for organized belongings. Maximize space with under-bed storage, closet organizers, and shelving units

If you need assistance creating organization systems in your home, we’d love to help. Read our last post to learn 3 Reasons Why You Should Invest in a Professional Organizer. 

Tip #3: Habit Stacking

Try "habit stacking" for improved consistency and personal development. This brilliant concept, from James Clear's book "Atomic Habits," leverages your existing habits to strengthen and integrate new ones. Here's how to begin:

1. Identify an existing habit or routine in your daily life. It may be as easy as sorting through your mail or preparing your coffee in the morning.

2. Choose a new habit you want to develop. For example, in our case, decluttering or organizing, getting rid of junk mail, or taking care of dirty dishes.

3. Determine the trigger that will link the new habit to the existing routine. For example, "the moment you finish your coffee, put the dirty dishes in the machine or declutter the counter. Or perhaps stand by the trash bin and shredder and then shred sensitive documents to protect your personal information and recycle the rest

4. Repeat this process for different routines and habits you want to establish, creating a series of habit stacks throughout your day.
   

The key is to be consistent and patient. Remember that habits take time to solidify, and it's okay if you encounter setbacks along the way. The crucial thing is to keep going.

Organizing is not about perfection; rather, it is about systems and habits for a more manageable, structured, and stress-free life. 

Implement these solutions today, and thank yourself in crucial moments. I am sure you can do it!

If you're ready to hand off your initial organizing to an expert (before you take over the maintenance), we've got your back! Contact us today.

Until next time,
Maryam