We all have been guilty of being hoarders for some or the other things. Some of us buy huge number of clothes, making the wardrobes swell and burst out after a point. While others have a fetish for shoes. Some of us literally make our houses a library, hoarding on the books so dearly, and some might be hoarders of home decor items, to an extent that there is not an inch of wall left to look at (since it's all filled with paraphernalia).
In fact, so many of us are excessive accumulators of various things- from bags to shoes to clothes to watches to makeup to furnishings to books to decor item and so on.. And then one day it's a boom! It all leads to a no space scenario and a lot of clutter. Then comes the moment to get started on a cleanup. To begin what's called THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING.
At this stage one usually asks the big question "what to buy in order to organize". And when. So here are a few tips to not get overwhelmed with all the clutter around and just get started with your wish to make things organized.
TIP #1
This might not come across as a popular opinion, but we at 'less is more living' strongly believe; in order to get organized one must BUY NOTHING! Yes, one has to stop the buying first ! Just take a deep breath and assess your belongings. Look at things one at a time- kitchen, living, books, cupboards, study, bathrooms, laundry, bedroom , balconies, miscellaneous etc. If you have time, make a list of all that you have in various categories.
TIP #2
After listing/ assessing your items, make two new lists.
1. First is a "NOT TO BUY" list. Not to buy extra baskets, or organizing boxes. They only increase clutter. Utilize from your existing belongings. Reuse, upcycle, recreate.
2. Second is a 'TO BUY' list. As you organize a cabinet or area, make note of something that might need to be purchased for a specific thing. For example, if your are organizing under makeup, you might need a tall bin/box for your brushes etc, then add that to your 'to buy list' but at the same time add make up brushes in your "do not buy" list.
BENEFIT - While adding brushes to your do not buy list, you are making sure that you will not put them in your cart when you shop next time, because you already have an ample supply of these at your home. Once the brushes worn out or get broken, they move from the 'do not buy' list to your 'to buy'. It's that simple.
TIP #3
Make a thumb rule. Items on the "to buy" list are the only items that are allowed to be purchased. No more impulse shopping. This will save you space, sanity and money!!
TIP #4
The most important aspect of organization is to create proper categorization for your items.
This requires---
1. Space allocation,
2. organizing items and
3. your ability to keep or discard from the organization process. (Declutter)
We suggest you allocate the space but don't go to buy organizing items until you know exactly what you need. Follow the simple rule to not buy organizers before de-cluttering. De-clutter first and then buy just what you need.
TIP #5
It's fun to buy "stuff" to make it all cute and pretty but you really don't know what you are looking at until you clear and decide where things are going to live permanently. Make a home for each category of items. Try to use bags and boxes you have on hand until you are about 75% done through the de-cluttering process and then you would be pretty confident as to know what you really need.
Also, as you purge, you often end up with storage items you were using previously that are now empty. So honestly it's better to buy after you know what you need. That way you don't end up with unwanted, unusable NEW clutter of organizing item. Make the best use of all the space you have got and all the organizing items you have at hand.
Finally, purge purge and purge some more and then shop around for what you really need. Find a system of organizing that works for you and your space.
So, lets get started!
**Do leave your comments below if you find these tips useful. We would be delighted to hear from you.
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