A messy space can affect how you feel. The truth is, it’s easier to thrive in an organized home.
Many times, people will begin to feel overwhelmed because of the existing clutter in their homes, notes Karen Windholz, professional organizer and founder of Woodbridge-based Sort Toss Repeat, a firm that works with clients in Northern Virginia.
Once action is taken, a domino effect may follow suit.
“Your mental state tends to feel less cluttered when your physical space feels uncluttered,” Windholz says. “And once you see that transformation in one space, you’re going to want that for the rest of your home.”
What better time than now to get organized?
“I often tell people that every day is a good day to declutter and organize, however the beginning of the year is always a great place to start,” Windholz says.
Get Your Mind Right
After all, getting organized is first and foremost a mindset, says Windholz.
“From making the time in your calendar to forming a healthy habit, you have to really set your mind to it,” she says.
“You live in your house,” Windholz says. “It’s bound to get messy. You just have to make the time. Just like you make an appointment to get your nails done or stop at Starbucks and order a drink, make the time to go through any space in your home that you want to declutter and organize it.”
And keep in mind that it’s an ongoing project.
“It’s not really a one and done kind of thing,” Windholz says. “You have to revisit spaces and keep that lifestyle if you want to truly see the progress.”
Start Out Small
“There’s no need to tackle your entire house in one day,” says Windholz.
Instead, take it one step, or room, at a time.
You can start with something as simple as a drawer.
“Take everything out so that you can evaluate what you have and sort things into different categories,” she says.
You can start by creating separate piles or boxes for the following things:
- Things you want to keep;
- Things want to donate;
- Things that are trash or are expired.
Consider Your Space
Another helpful tool when decluttering your home is taking the time to consider your space.
Are you maximizing your space, or do you feel overwhelmed by your stuff?
If you haven’t used something in a year or it is just taking up room in your home, it may be time to let it go, Windholz says.
“At the end of the day, things are just things,” she adds. “Sometimes you have to ask yourself: Do I need this item more, or do I need the space more?”
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
It’s never a bad idea to ask for help, says Windholz, whether that be from a friend or even a professional.
“Decluttering your home can be overwhelming,” she says. “It can be useful sometimes to work through your things with the help of someone else who isn’t going to have any attachment to the items in your home.”
The person who helps you should be someone who will be a cheerleader for you, knows your goals, and will help you through the process without judgment.
“Many times, people are holding on to things because they’re sentimental or out of guilt that someone got it for them, so they feel bad getting rid of it,” Windholz adds.
Organize with Bins and Baskets
Once you’ve sorted through your things, it is always nice to keep things organized with the use of bins and baskets, says Windholz.
Just make sure that you are conscious of your space while shopping for any organizational products.
“Adding bins can help make your home both functional and beautiful, but the space that you have is the space that you have,” says Windholz
For instance, she adds, round baskets can be pretty, but they are not going to maximize all the potential space on a shelf.
“It’s best to find things that are going to fit the space both vertically and horizontally,” Windholz says.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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