I’ve written a lot about being organized and de-cluttering your life, in fact I did an entire book about it (you can download it for free here). It was one of the first big ‘lifehacks’ that I really mastered and it made such a difference to me. In fact I converted several other people, including my own parents, to the idea of decluttering (it backfired slightly because they started focusing on the stuff I’d left at their home when I’d got my own place).
Recently I was asked how to maintain that blissful de-cluttered state. She’d followed this blog, checked out Unclutterer and Zen Habits and read numerous books, and she was happy with the way her house and workplace was. She was no longer losing entire days trying to tidy up, and her husband wasn’t constantly asking where everything was. Well, most of the time.
But de-cluttering is only half of the challenge. Keeping it that way and staying organized is a whole different matter and she sometimes struggled with it. So, I looked at how I was managing and realized I was doing the same three things each day in order to maintain a de-cluttered life. I hadn’t used a book full of tricks and tips for this, just three simple rules that I’d picked up.
I hope you’ll agree with me about these, but if you have your own set of golden de-cluttering rules, share them. I’d love to read your thoughts on this.
Do a little every day
Anybody who has let the dishes or the laundry pile up can attest to this one. Definitely doing a little every day is far, far better than trying to do a lot all in one go. You may come home from hard days in the office, tired and fed up, and of course you’d much rather crash on the sofa than face up to all the clutter that’s gathered since yesterday, but you’re just making it harder on yourself. Don’t leave things till the weekend!
There are many de-cluttering chores that won’t ever go away, so don’t worry about having an empty letter tray, having all of your clothes hung up, having every room clear of dust, etc. It’s a losing battle. Just focus on doing a little every day. All you have to do is clean a few dishes each day, wash and iron a small basket of clothes each day, file away some letters each day… Just stay on top of it!
A space for everything
It’s the oldest known de-cluttering tip in existence, dating right back to the Romans (well, maybe not), but unlike similarly old tales about broken mirrors and walking under ladders, this one is genuinely true!
Everything needs to have a designated space (different items can share the same space of course, hence the ‘messy drawer’). If not, these things get put anywhere and everywhere, often just because it’s easier. An important letter will get shoved in a drawer simply because it happens to be next to you when you open the mail and your drills and screwdrivers will find homes everywhere from the garage to the storage cupboard because you just leave them where you last used them.
This problem doubles and triples (I’ve done the maths) if other people are involved because they will make up their own ideas as to where things go. Offices and workplaces are a nightmare for this. Mail gets mixed up with all the other paperwork rather than going in one letter tray. Paper clips end up in a dozen people’s drawers rather than in the stationary cupboard. Have you got any other workplace stories of people not following this rule?
So it’s simple. Follow the oldest advice known to mankind (at least it feels that way). Find a space for everything and put everything in its space.
Clean up as you go
This to me personally, is the number one de-cluttering golden rule, riding triumphantly above everything else (ignoring the fact it’s actually the last rule I’m covering). In fact I think this rule is so important that it was orginally my intention to dedicate this entire post to it. Now that’s special.
This is a simple one really, but it makes the biggest difference. Having spent what feels like a lifetime dealing with people who snack on the sofa and subsequently leave the crisp packet on the floor to put away later, or open their mail in the hallway and leave the used envelopes in a pile on the table, it’s also seems to be one of the hardest to do.
It takes a little bit of effort there and then to put your pen away after writing a letter, or hanging your coat away after you come home, but it saves you soooooo much time later, and that’s what makes it valuable. Take an average week and think about all the little things you didn’t put away at the time. Then imagine having to do them all in one go on a Sunday and you’ll realize quite how effective this rule is.
January 25, 2010 at 09:45PM
Spot on! A space for everything may be old fashioned advice, but it’s, for me at least, simple the best bit of organizational advice. So I guess that would have to be me top golden rule.
January 27, 2010 at 03:01AM
I applied your suggestions today (will make it a habit), and cleaned up my cubicle. Put books on the shelf, filed papers away.
There is more to do but as you say, a little bit at a time.
Now the coat hanging thing. I need to do that as soon as I get home. It is the source of much trouble :-)
January 27, 2010 at 07:04AM
You are right on! My whole house cleaning system is based on the same basic principles – do a little bit every day, consistently – and your house will stay clean.
People really underestimate the power of small but consistent actions.
January 27, 2010 at 02:06PM
One of my golden rules of decluttering is “Never give up“. One of the reasons it took me so long to start to try to get organized was because I was once so far gone it seemed hopeless. When you’re still at the stage I was in, trying to do a little each day amounts to bailing out the Titanic with a coffee cup.
I’d spend 10 hours on a Saturday trying to put everything in a room in it’s place, to organize, to throw out junk. I’d work and work and work and feel pretty good, but if I showed someone the “before” and “after” shots of the room, they’d hardly be able to see a difference because it still looked just as messy, and I’d get really discouraged.
My rule is Never give up because I know from experience that sometimes the simple act of refusing to be beaten by something like clutter can give you the strength and drive to conquer it once and for all. Sometimes it just pays to be stubborn. ^_~
January 27, 2010 at 06:16PM
That’s True Carol. I think small steps taken regularly is a golden rule for life in general, actually.
Thanks for the comment Caitlin. Yeah, you should never give up because the benefits at the end of it are really worth it. There are no maybes, or buts about de-cluttering your life, so that’s always a positive thing you can take out of it. If you do it, you’ll feel good about it. Simple as that.
January 29, 2010 at 04:24PM
Simple but effective tips here, James.
I think it’s helpful to remember why de-cluttering is worth doing…
For me, it boils down to three things:
1. The feeling it gives me to see a clean and clear space (particularly as a Dad to three young children).
2. The energy it seems to free up to do other, more creative things;
3. The time it saves me not having to look for things that aren’t where they should be.
Obviously it’s not like this all the time, but that’s what I aim for each day.
February 6, 2010 at 10:27PM
I gree Tim about creating a clear and tidy space, having children myself. I only wish they wouldn’t follow behind me though! Keeping tidy areas does lift the mood and is clearly a positive.
Keeping children in mind I could disagree with Carole in that sometimes a mass tidy up is the only way. However once tidy of doing the small steps all the time does help keep on top of things.
February 26, 2010 at 05:23AM
Some oldies but goldies. Doing a little each day goes a long towards keeping your house organized. But there is a tiny urge inside ourselves every now and then to leave it for later. Resist the urge as it will only cause you more pain later.
March 6, 2010 at 12:43AM
I was hoping that if I could find something about clearing up your thoughts. How could you do that? Tips on better thinking, that’s what I need right now. I am preparing for an important exam in which I have to appear in about a month. Any advices are welcome :)