Today is World Organizing Day!
World Organizing Day is a global initiative founded by the International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations (IFPOA) to celebrate the work of organizing and productivity professionals. This designated day aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of getting organized.
As a member of NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, I work to improve the lives of my clients throughout the year by helping them create environments that support productivity, general health, and well-being.
Over the past several years I have worked with many levels of disorganization and in every area of the home – from paperwork to primary closets to sheds, and for people who need a quick touch-up to those who have items piled taller than me. No client is hopeless, though they may feel that way at the beginning. My goal is to restore balance and peace in their space.
While I could spout advice all day long, the biggest contributor to disorganization is over-consumption. So my number one piece of advice when starting an organizing project is: Stop bringing new items into the home! Unless, of course, they are necessary to basic survival, such as food and medication, or are for a very specific, time-sensitive purpose.
Sales and marketing tactics tempt us with a sense of urgency on our purchases, and we jump on the discount so we don’t miss the opportunity. Finding an item while shopping online and instantly clicking on the purchase button triggers reward centers in our brain making impulse buying super easy and exciting. Receiving freebie items from anywhere gives us pleasure. All these things contribute to clutter and disorganization because once you bring them home, you have to find a place for them to live in closets that are stuffed, cabinets that are overflowing, or maybe the kitchen table that already is stacked with items that have no place in your home.
I encourage my clients to begin an organizing project with not bringing anything new into the home until every space has been organized. This allows us to find homes for the current possessions. Once everything has a place, then an informed decision can be made as to what to bring into the house and where the item will live.
Here are some questions to consider before bringing new items into the home:
- Is it a need or a want?
- Do I want it only because it is discounted? (Trust me, it will most likely be on sale again.)
- Do I have something like it already or something else that can serve the same purpose?
- Do I have the time to return it if I get it home and don’t like it?
- Where will it live in my home?
- What will I give up to make room for it?
For online shopping, I especially advise people to wait 48 hours before hitting the checkout button. Generally by then the impulse to buy the item has passed and you can put it on a wishlist to buy later.
Happy World Organizing Day!