Why Your Home Doesn’t Stay Organized
Let’s break some bad habits!
I think we can all agree that coming home to a beautifully organized space gives you a high like no other. I’m talking about tidy spaces, clutter-free countertops, and closets where nothing is strewn on the floor. Sounds awesome, but the truth is that keeping things this way is the true challenge. But have no fear; it’s not impossible to turn this around. The key is to determine what is holding you back. Here are some common reasons why we have such trouble keeping the home organized:
You’re Trying to Emulate the Aesthetic Organized Look
Trust me, I see how this happens. You see stunning spaces on social media and fall in love. You place a huge Amazon order full of bins and boxes and baskets. You spend a serious amount of time separating snacks by color but after a couple weeks, you question why in the world you’re devoting so much time to this ridiculous task.
We all get sucked into this aspirational look but unless you’re a Kardashian and have a house manager to keep this fancy process going, it’s not going to work for you.
To circumvent this, spend some time thinking about your goals for your spaces and what is reality vs. fantasy. Your home is a tool that should work for you, so make sure your goals fit with your true lifestyle.
Your Things Don’t Have a Home
This may sound odd – your things are in your home; how could they not have a home? I’m saying that if you spend time determining the best place for things to live within your home, you will be more organized. Here are some examples:
- Where does your mail live before and after you’ve gone through it?
-Where do extra paper goods live? Paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, etc.
-Where do you store your tax returns?
-Where does your passport live?!
If we don’t have an established place for our things, then they get put in any random place. This may not sound like a big deal, but it becomes a big deal when you’re flying to Rome tomorrow and have no idea where your passport is. This sounds incredibly stressful, doesn’t it?
Pro organizers love to say, “Don’t put it down; put it away.” Get this motto in your head and find the best spot for your stuff. Then, discipline yourself to put things away in their specific homes every day.
A Lack of Systems
Maintaining an organized space is super challenging if you don’t have systems in place. The best way to get around this is to develop zones throughout your home. This means keeping similar items together. For example, if coffee is an integral part of your life like it is mine, you could create a station next to your espresso machine to include all the things you use to make your delicious brew, such as your favorite mugs, coffee grounds, syrups, sweeteners, etc. Doing this means your morning experience is all the more streamlined and satisfying.
The thing about creating a system is setting up rules for the home. If you and your family can commit to doing five-minute tidying throughout the day (or at least at the end of the day), you will see that this prevents the alternative of much longer and more frustrating organizing sessions.
When Was the Last Time You Decluttered?
I know, I know. But the truth is, if we keep bringing more and more things into our homes without getting rid of older things, you will have a significant pile-up, with closets jam-packed and a basement/garage full of who knows what. I understand that you may be decluttering once a year, but the truth is, we need to do it much more frequently. Think of the amount of food items you purchase and don’t use. Clothes that represent a different phase of your life. Equipment and supplies you purchased when you thought you’d get into a new hobby.
If you commit to doing frequent (and quicker) decluttering sessions, you’ll be able to keep up with your stuff. A quick monthly scan of what’s in your fridge makes a huge difference overall. Or scan your pantry for expired products or things you know you won’t use (please donate non-expired, unopened products to your local food bank). Walk around your garage and break down all those “really good” Amazon boxes. Little by little, you can conquer so much by these micro sessions.
Are You Surrounded By Too Many Sentimental Things?
This is a tough one, I know. As you get to a certain age, you may inherit your grandma’s dishes and your dad’s duck stamp collection. It’s hard to avoid this happening, but you do not have to keep all of these things. If you are struggling with getting rid of the china set, consider keeping a couple of place settings and then commit to using them frequently – not only for special events. Life is a special event!
Just because your relative loved something, it doesn’t mean you must also love it. Your home should hold only things that you want there. Having an old pitcher or baseball collection around out of guilt doesn’t really make your home yours.
Remember, if everything is important, nothing is important! Organizing everything can feel super overwhelming but if you learn new habit and are diligent about employing them frequently, you will make a huge difference in your home and your state of mind!