A New York Magazine article I once read referred to being organized as the second greatest pleasure in life. I suppose that places it just after either sex or eating whichever is your number one choice. I agree that being organized is extremely satisfying. However, most people look at getting organized as an extreme nightmare. But it doesnt have to be that way. The process of organization is the same whether youre clearing off a messy counter, thinning out an overstuffed closet or overhauling an entire house. Put everything (and I mean everything) into one of three A, B or C categories piles if they are small things. Well use your closet as an example. The A pile is for clothes you love and wear. The B pile is for the things youre not sure about. And the C pile is for all the clothes you never wear because: 1) you dont like them, 2) they dont fit, but youre waiting until you lose weight (and that hasnt been happening) or 3) they dont go with anything else. These (pile C) are the clothes youre going to get rid of. A good thing to remember is that you will have to baby sit everything you keep. The stuff you own needs to be taken care of or it will clutter up your life. That can take up valuable time, energy and, sometimes, money. There are many smart people these days making small fortunes renting storage space to the rest of us to store our junk. Dont get caught in that trap. For the next step, take the things in pile B and repeat the A, B or C category process all over again. Once youve got just two piles A and C you can get rid of all the stuff in the C pile. Throw it out, sell it or give it away. In the end, youll have only one pile left pile A, which are all the things you truly love and wear. A good rule of thumb is a place for everything and everything in its place. Organize your closet so that each article of clothing has its place. Then be rigorous about keeping it there. Return everything to its place as soon as you take it off. You can follow these basic steps of organization no matter what your project. Its a good way of getting organized for a clutter free life. |
