Organizing Tips for The Empty Nest
Do you need some organizing tips to make your office or home more orderly?
That statement was given to me by a friend years ago. Truthfully, this it was one of those statements that I didn’t like. It pointed out a fault of mine. BUT, it is a fault that I am working on to improve so that helps to buffer the message.
I’ve pretty much not been a traditionally organized person my entire life. Organization for me meant a pile here, a pile there. I knew what was in the piles and could find it – just give me a few minutes and I could find it. At times in my life my job required me to be organized so I adapted organization skills to fill the need there. However, my personal life was lacking.
As I’ve aged, taken on more responsibility for my parents, and launched new personal projects orderliness has taken on more priority.
Banish Clutter and Leave Stress Behind
I find strength that even the Bible talks about orderliness.
1 Corinthians 14:40 says “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Granted, this scripture was speaking to how things are to be conducted within the church. But, don’t you think our personal life should be a reflection of orderliness as well? I thought so.
I will be the first to admit to you. Organizing is not natural for my personality (yet). BUT, the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” isn’t true! I’m learning new skills every day – and organizing is ONE!
In 2011 there was a study at Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute. They examined the effect of clutter on the brain. According to the study, “Interactions of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mechanisms in Human Visual Cortex,” clutter does more than take up space in our homes and offices:
Clutter limits the brain’s ability to focus and process information.
Folks who limit clutter in their home and work environments are less irritable, less distracted, and more productive.
I read a book where the author stepped out on a mission to really downsize and live a “more or less” attitude. After being touched by his message, I began my own steps to truly downsize, get rid of clutter and free myself of things.
Tips to help you get more organized
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Start small.
If you’ve been living with too much stuff for a long time you may suffer from stuffocation, a term I learned from a friend of mine at EcoDecohome . You probably feel overwhelmed at the thought of going through your things. Maybe you’re uncertain about how to even begin.
Get started by setting small cleaning and organizing goals.
Avoid setting an unrealistic goal of cleaning your whole house overnight. Set small goals, like organizing a desk or closet. As you experience success on a small scale, you’ll receive the boost in confidence that you need to continue your efforts.
Once you’ve established order to a small space, keep going. Build on your success!
After your drawers and closets, focus on cleaning an entire room. Clean and organize one room at a time. Soon your entire home will be filled only with necessary items that you use on a regular basis.
Keep your closets and drawers organized by adopting a “one in, one out” rule.
Get rid of one old item each time you buy something new <== this concept REALLY works!
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Be hardcore.
If you haven’t worn or used an item in a year or longer, do you really still need it? Get rid of duplicate items, as well as worn out and broken items that you haven’t fixed. <== This can be painful, but is very NEEDFUL.
Items you received as gifts from loved ones can be particularly difficult to part with, especially if the loved one is now deceased. Take the time to acknowledge your loss, but realize that holding on to your loved one’s possessions won’t bring them back.
You may find it easier to part with an item and honor your loved one’s memory by selling the item and donating the proceeds to their favorite charity.
If you feel guilty at the thought of throwing an item away, consider donating it if it’s still in good condition.
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Straighten the focal points
Begin or end your day by straightening your bedroom, living room, and kitchen. Starting or ending the day with organization will help you feel less stressed about the ‘stuff and things’ in your life.
This step doesn’t have to take you a lot of time. Just spending 15 minutes straightening the central areas of your home can make a world of difference.
Make your bed, wash any dirty dishes, and eliminate clutter from the living room, counters, and kitchen table.
Reverse this strategy at work, and clear your desk before you leave at the end of the day. When you remove the clutter from these key areas, you’ll feel more calm and relaxed when you return.
Having too much stuff is visually distracting and it adds to your daily stress level. Following these simple steps will contribute to greater feelings of serenity in your life. You’ll say “goodbye” to clutter and know you are doing things ‘decently and in order.’
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