I love to organize. I love to clean. If you are familiar with the TV show “Friends” … I am Monica.
I also get overwhelmed. Sometimes I just stare at a space, frozen because I just don’t know where to start. I’ve been tackling our apartment room by room and the extra bedroom is the one that overwhelms me the most. I have great plans for it in my head, but carrying them out has been a tough task.
Here are 8 tips that have helped me quickly take stock and get past that mental block.
Take a deep breath and enter said space
1) Stand in one spot and mentally take stock/analyze your space.
What is making you overwhelmed?
What is blocking creativity/productivity?
What is physically in your way?
2) Stay in your spot and mentally picture what you want the space to look like.
What would make you feel calm?
What changes would make you feel productive?
What furniture or items need to be moved, taken out, or added?
How is this space going to be used?
3) If this is a MAJOR project, take time to research ideas (read…Pinterest) and possibly sketch out ideas, measure, etc.
4) OTHERWISE, jump in by choosing a starting spot in the room.
5) Sort items by what belongs in the space and what doesn’t. Take items that don’t belong in the space TO THEIR HOMES IMMEDIATELY. (otherwise, you’re just creating your next project).
6) Go through items that belong in the space.
Do I need this? (if the answer is no – trash or donate)
What do I use this for?
Where do I use this?
What location would make this piece of furniture/tool/item easily accessible and most useful to me?
7) USE WHAT YOU HAVE before you go out and buy. Yes, a beautifully organized space most often has matching totes and boxes. But you don’t have to start with those. Organize with what you have in your home right now, use the space in it’s new glory, and purchase organizers that will work with your new space after you take the time to find the perfect ones. Once you have worked with the space the way it is, you’ll know what would work best, and you won’t waste money on things that aren’t helpful.
My mom and I recently did this in her craft space – she needed to build up a platform to place a board across for a drying space. We found a giant stack of bridal magazines in my old room, and just like that we had a sturdy platform! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
What do I have that could hold these items?
What could I use instead of buying something new?
What could I repurpose from another room in my home?
8) Place items in their new homes and enjoy your new space! Don’t be afraid to use what you have and to adjust as you go. Not buying things right away also helps you find out what you really need and what you just really think is pretty (not all bad, but can be an issue when you’re on a budget!).
I’d love to see what projects you’re taking on!