Getting the Most from Your Organization System
Organizers do not magically make you organized.
You will hear me say (or read) this again and again.
Organization systems are a place to categorize and strategically put your things. Without the right process in place, storage devices and systems can quickly turn into a dumping ground for accruing endless amounts of stuff until the system itself if bursting at the seams.
Think about a closet or a drawer getting filled until finally not a single hanger can be squeezed in, not another trinket can be jammed into a drawer and alas, the door or drawer won’t close. Perhaps, worse yet, a shelf breaks and everything comes tumbling out. It happens.
Quick Story…
For years we lived in a small rental. When our second child was born, we converted the office/craft room into a baby room. We were excited to find a cute craft organizer on Wayfair to consume a closet’s worth of art supplies. The organizer had horizontal and vertical cubbies perfect for paper and coloring books. The drawers, fabric with labeling slots. Finally, a place for everything and everything in its place. It was neat and tidy and aesthetically pleasing. We regularly maintained the system since it was in plain sight adjacent to the opening dining room and kitchen.
After we moved, the organizer was placed in our basement. When something is out of sight, it’s out of mind. I walked down to the basement the other day and discovered that my daughter who has been self-entertaining (to my delight!) has also been accumulating many complete and incomplete projects. The organization of the system is in complete disarray.
What’s next?
I am actually quite excited to get after this. It’s been on my to-do list for some time now to get to the basement and do a clean out. My kids are outgrowing and uninterested in some of these supplies anymore and it’s time to pass them on to others and throw some old broken crayons away.
I’m also excited to help my daughter learn the 5S process. It can be hard to let go of things or to prioritize what is actually most meaningful. This project, however, is a great way to start teaching my kids about values and time management too. These are skills that can be taught very early and developed so life is easier to navigate during adulthood. As we comb through, I can ask her what she worked really hard on? What items are worth donating to others? Are there any projects that we need to carve aside time to complete?
Find a spot you’ve been neglecting and get after it! I know I am going to feel lighter and happier when this is cleaned up and purposeful again.
