Organization is something I excel at. If I were a superhero, it would be my superpower. It's hard for me to understand how some people are not organized. It's just the way my brain is wired. I love organizing and cleaning, but I also need it. I've mentioned that I live with OCD and I need to live in a clean and organized environment. I believe a clean and organized environment is therapeutic for everyone.
I like to go through the house once or twice a year. That may sound excessive but we have six people in our family and a spring and fall cleaning keeps things in order. Having four kids who are growing and changing is a big reason for a purge or two each year. It's helpful to go through their things and pass down what can be passed down and buy only what is truly needed.
I do have a few rules that must be respected when you are doing a full house organization. My first rule is to never force someone to get rid of something that belongs to them. If it doesn't belong to you, it isn't your choice. I'm not opposed to pointing out that something hasn't been used in five years, but in the end, if it doesn't belong to me, it isn't my choice. My second rule is, to be honest with yourself when deciding to keep or get rid of something. My third rule is to do one area at a time. If you try to tackle too much, you won't get the job done right.
If you are new to the idea of organizing and going through your things, pick a simple area that isn't too big. A closet rather than a whole room, one section of cupboards, one messy junk drawer, etc. I tend to pick one room at a time because I keep the house pretty organized and I can quickly go through most areas.
When I go through everything, I take a look at everything that I have. If I'm going through a kitchen drawer or cupboard, I take everything out first. I want to clean the space and then as I put things back in, I decide if it is a keep or toss. If it's a keep, it goes back in and I place everything neatly and in order. If it's a toss, it goes into a pile on the table or in another room.
It's hard for people to decide to let things go. I naturally don't like extra things or clutter, so it's easy for me the let go of things. I realize people struggle with the idea of getting rid of something because they might need it later. You might need it later, that's true, but you have to ask yourself how long have you had it and when have you actually needed it. Ask yourself why you bought it in the first place. Has it served its purpose and now it is no longer something you need? Do you have something else that does the same thing? Do you have many of the same item? Are you keeping it just in case? Do you keep it because you spent a lot on it? Do you keep it because someone else spent a lot on it? Are you keeping it out of obligation?
Those are not reasons to keep things that you don't use, need, or want. Reasons to keep something should be obvious. I'm keeping this because I use it often. I'm keeping this because I need it. I'm keeping this because I love it.
Toss doesn't actually mean to throw it away. Keep or toss is just a quick way to decide if I'm keeping it or not. The toss pile gets broken into sell, give away, donate, or recycle/repurpose/garbage. I've had a lot of luck selling things on the Facebook yard sale. I donate to Disabled American Vets and Goodwill.
I find it peaceful to live with less. I enjoy the freedom that not buying new things all the time has to offer. Happiness and contentment aren't bought at a store or stuffed deep inside a closet full of things you don't need. Life is simpler and more fulfilling with less.
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