How Often Should I Organize?
This question comes up a lot. How can we put more structure onto our organizing and clearing out so that it doesn’t become overwhelming? When we plan ahead, set expectations, and make habits, organizing becomes more a part of our daily lives and less of a burden. It stops things from piling up and find more peace and clarity in our homes.
Here’s some tips on how often your should declutter various parts of your home.
DAILY
Put things back in their place
Don’t leave things out overnight unless you preparing for needing them the next morning (sometimes I’ll keep things out intentionally as a visual reminder of where I left off, or what I want my goal to be that day)
When you finish a task or a project for the day, take a few moments at the end to gather everything back in it’s place
WEEKLY
Clear out your mail and office “clutter”
Keeping this space clear on a regular basis will help you focus more and minimize the risk of getting overwhelmed by paper clutter
MONTHLY
Do a donation sweep
Are there things you keep coming across that you don’t use anymore, don’t fit anymore, or get in the way? Get a couple of bags together and get them donated
On a monthly basis, I don’t want you to think too hard, just go for a short walk in your home and space and pull away the obvious things that are popping out to you
If it feels overwhelming to do this part, set aside a donation spot or bag in your home, as the month goes on and you come across things, fill it. Either once a month, or when the bag fills, that’s your reminder to drop them off!
You can even rotate the space you organize/ clear out month to month. Perhaps January is the kitchen, February is the office, March is the bedroom, etc. It just has to make sense for you.
QUARTERLY
Clean out your closet
As the seasons change, and your wardrobe changes, it offers a perfect opportunity to do a closet clean out
YEARLY
Holiday decorations- when you take them out and put them away, there is no better time to declutter, sort, and organize these items
When you break up the organizing and decluttering process by space or action, it helps to relieve the overwhelm that you might feel in getting started. Make this process yours. Remember that the more you stay on top of the “little thing” - putting things away, clearing out, getting rid of the things you don’t need, and of course, limiting the things you bring in - the easier this process will be. Taking a lot of time, sometimes, is much more efficient and less overwhelming, than taking a lot of time always to start the process over.