Organization Tips For The New Year | 6 Mistakes To Avoid

At the strike of midnight on January 1st, the urge to get organized springs to action. It seems with the flip of the calendar and the start of a fresh year we all want to get our lives in order. We want to start the year off right and set ourselves up for success with great organization tips and guides.

The task of organizing sounds simple when we say it. But when it comes to starting, the process can become overwhelming quickly.

Organization Tips

My solution is to be realistically organized. To avoid inaction, consider your lifestyle and yourself and create a realistic plan. Taking a realistic and slow approach may see tedious (because we all want change right now) but your are more likely to be successful in your organization. For example, yesterday, I organized my daughter’s dresser. I didn’t venture to her closet or bookcase. I just stayed with the dresser. And I’m proud of my accomplishment!

6 Mistakes To Avoid

To get you going, start here.

1. Don’t start without a plan. Make a list of what you want organized. Put it in order of importance and size of the job. If you linen closet is spilling over with towels and sheets to the point it is a useless space, put it on the list toward the top. The garage, on the other hand, may go on the list further down.
2. Don’t start big. Start small. Don’t tackle the garage or shed first if you  are not committed to finishing the job. They are big spaces to clean out and organize. Instead start with a child’s room, dresser, or closet.
3. Don’t do it alone. If you have a hard time letting go of things, ask a friend to help you. The idea is to clean out and organize your life, not continue with excess stuff or clutter. A friend can help you make those decisions without emotion.
4. Don’t not visualize. What do you what the space to do? What is its function? What can you do to help it function better? Baskets? Bins? Drawers? Hooks? Shelves? Check out Pinterest for inspiration and ideas.
5. Don’t forget to measure. You have a plan, ideas, and ready to gather supplies. Measure everything! Don’t purchase or order anything without measuring your space first.
6. Don’t think ugly. Your organized space should also be pretty. Shelf paper, paint, or bins can help add style to your space.

To help you with your organization projects, here is a fun free worksheet from Declutterathon. I like that each worksheet allows you to select a room or space, break it down into do-able sections, and plan for different days. Nothing takes more than an hour and the result is an organized space with a great sense of accomplishment!

What are your organization tips that lead to a success?