What’s Your Organization Style?

Posted November 16, 2015 by Prairie Wife - 1 comment

First…What Does it mean to be organized?

Being organized does not mean your house is always clean!

Being organized means that your daily life runs smoother. You can find the items you need quickly, your family is more self-sufficient, and you have less overall stress. Being organized also means that when it’s time to clean, you can clean quickly and effectively, and there is less mess overall.

To successfully become organized, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. There is NO point in fighting against the inevitable. A slight change will stick, while a full-blown makeover probably won’t!

Organizationally Speaking, Who Are You?

Are You a Stacker?

Do you have little (or not so little) piles of items all over your house?
Can you usually find what you need after you sift through the junk?
Do you love to buy storage containers or reuse and re-purpose containers often?
Are you a creature of habit?

If You’re a Stacker

Work with it and put some of those containers to good use
Pay special attention to where in your house clutter and stacks collect
Organize in those specific areas first
Purge often (when the container is full, stop and purge. Don’t buy more containers)

Are You a Hider?

If you don’t see it, it’s not messy
If the door on the cabinet or closet closes, it’s clean
You have a room where you put everything that doesn’t have a home and shut the door
But…Your countertops and tables are always clean of clutter

If You’re a Hider

Purge (if you haven’t used it in a year or more, donate it)
Find a practical place for the things you use (you shove them in a room because they don’t have a spot)
Look for unique ways to store clutter (repurposed furniture like benches and wardrobes)
Set guidelines for your family and teach them to put things in their proper place

Are You a Free Spirit?

There is no rhyme or reason to your “organization”
You are specifically known for your lack of organization
Your mess only bothers you when it has a negative impact on your family (like when your daughter is in tears because you can’t find her favorite sweater)
You’re open to trying anything new

If You’re a Free Spirit

Talk to your family about what they want to see happen (make them aware it’s their job too)
Purge (this is going to be a big project, so set aside a whole weekend and finish an entire room before you move on to another)
Start small and stay consistent
Find what motivates you (make yourself clean for 30 minutes, and THEN you can have that cookie)

Some Quick Tips on How to Begin

Pick what makes you “twitch” the most and start there (channel that rage)
Schedule a time and put it in ink on the calendar
Move from one room to another
Hire a sitter if you’re kids aren’t old enough to help
Give your family notice and teach them your new organization routine
Plan a yearly purging schedule and stick with it (after birthdays and holidays are good times)
Reward yourself when you’re done (but not with a shopping spree lol)

What is your organization style, and what do you do to stay organized?

One thought on "What’s Your Organization Style?"

Bennie says:

November 16, 2015 at 8:28 am

I think I might be a stacker. I tend to need to see things. If it’s out of sight it’s out of mind. I’ve bought food items for recipes only to realize I already had it in my cupboard. Ideally if I could do over my kitchen I think an open cupboard or glass doors would help me to stay more organized and/or not over buy stuff I already own. Also, I tend to keep some things out in the open (a recipe lying on my kitchen counter, a necklace kept in sight that needs to be repaired) to remind me I want/need to do something.

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