I often get asked questions about getting organised and decluttering – and so decided to set up a Q&A Page to answer the most common ones.
The aim of this page is to give you the answers to the most frequently asked queries, and then as and when questions are added to the comments section below they will be answered and if they are popular questions then I will add them to the main part of the post as well.
This is an interactive post for you – so if you have a query then please add it to the comments and I will answer each one for you. I can’t wait to hear about your issues and even some tips to help other readers!
Always start where it hurts the most.
This means that wherever you are finding you are wasting the most time / energy and/or money by not being organised.
If you immediately feel a benefit then you will be more likely to continue into other areas of your home/life. If you start with something relatively insignificant to you like a linen cupboard – then you will be less likely to feel an motivated to continue.
Common places that people start on are paperwork, creating more time, and organising their hallway (this is the first room you see when you walk into your home, and has lots of items in it that require organising otherwise it can be a very cluttered welcome home!).
Nice idea – but it won’t work!
People commonly assume that an organised house has to look very minimal – but the idea of organisation is about functionality rather than the aesthetics of the space.
Of course, many people naturally want to look organised as well as be organised, so the two often go hand in hand, but please don’t feel that you need to throw anything out – especially if you don’t want to.
The organising process does involve decluttering – but only to the extent of items that are not functional or sentimental in your home.
You may throw everything you own away but still be left with an unorganised house that will build up again over a few months. If you organise now then its a lifestyle and habit change that will continue to work forever.
This is one of the most common things that people say when it comes to getting organised.
Yes, organising takes time and effort to complete – but once it has been done it will only take a few moments each day to stay organised – therefore in the long run you will be saving so much time that you will have more time than ever for the other, more important things in your life.
A little effort and time spent now in getting organised will free up tonnes of time when done –
Time to relax, take up a new hobby, spend quality time with family and friends, start a business – the list is endless!
There is no one answer for this, as everyone is so different. However, having a sense of being organised is really important, and getting everyon in the household involved is equally so.
Something that has both these items within it is the creating of the HOME FILE.
This is a file that will collate the household and family information into your own personal manual for your lives. If everyone knows where to look for information, then life should run more smoothly!
Making the process very visual often helps for smaller children. Labelling using pictures rather than words will enable everyone to see clearly where things go.
Getting children to help and make it into a game will also help – creating habits for them will ensure that they stay organised into adulthood and therefore find it easier to run their own homes eventually.
Start organising areas that help each member of the family the most – then they will be able to clearly see the benefits of what you are doing and are more likely to help you by maintaining it!
Also, by giving small rewards to family members who help with organising and maintaining the organised home will reap its benefits.
Rewards can be simple – maybe a favourite meal, a trip out, a games night etc….. (using your new found time!)
Motivation is different for different people.
Some people are motivated enough when they start to see the results of their organising. When an area is really organised it gives a great sense of satisfaction.
Others are more rewards based – and if you are one of these people, why not treat yourself to a favourite drink or meal at the end of the day, a hot bath, a magazine and cup of tea, a day out etc… something just for you that will relax you and make you feel content will do wonders!
Another great incentive to keep motivation at its peak is to have a goal to aim towards – so organise a party at your house for a couple of months time, by which time you will want to have done lots of the organising so you will be proud to show people into your home and be the host!
Messy houses can be organised, just like minimal houses can be disorganised.
Organisation is the functional side of the house and NOT the aesthetics.
It ensures that everyone knows whats happening, where they should be and where everything is in the house.
If you are happier in a more messy home than this does not necessarily need to change, but you may find that once you start organising then a less messy house will naturally follow.
Organising is about working with your habits and personality and not against them – if you try and work against them too much you will find that you naturally lose the desire to keep the systems in place.
Decluttering is just part of the organising process – you may have loads of stuff that you want to keep – and part of the organising process will be to ensure that you are able to enjoy your stuff, and not let it hinder you.
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