Organization Basics for Everyone
Purge. Too much of anything is going to make organization virtually impossible. If it hasn’t been used, played with or admired in more than six months, get rid of it. Have a garage sale, put it on Craig’s List, give it away, whatever. Just get it out of your house. If you’re a real pack rat and can’t bring yourself to part with things without having an anxiety attack, try putting things into boxes or plastic bins and store them away. Give yourself a year or two to take out anything you can’t live without. Then get rid of the rest.
Categorize. Break everything down into manageable pieces. Simply group things together the way you use them. This works for virtually anything. Sort items into different labeled bins or containers. For example, sort toys by “cars,” “Legos,” “doll clothes,” “dolls,” and so forth. Or give each person in the family a bin, drawer or box with his or her name on it for winter gear (gloves, hats, boots, etc).
Simplify. Don’t over-categorize! You’re trying to make life simpler, not more complicated. If you have to search out a box, then a folder within that box, then a folder within that folder within that box, then you are making it too complicated. Staying organized shouldn’t be painful.
Display. Pretend you’re organizing for a complete stranger — because sometimes when life gets harried, you end up being that stranger. You shouldn’t have to think about how things are organized; you should simply be able to find what you’re looking for. Label things and keep them as visible as possible.
Prepare. Make mornings go smoother by having everything ready the night before. If your child can’t decide what to wear quickly, lay out an outfit the night before. Find and put shoes by the front door. Pack a lunch the night before and store it in the fridge. And my all-time favorite … move every clock in the house ahead five or ten minutes, and tell no one.