Organization Is a Journey, Not a Destination: Top Seven Strategies

You’ve bought the bins and containers, maybe even broken out a sweat to get your space organized. Or, if you were too busy or overwhelmed or just wanted a little extra help or guidance, you sought out a professional organizer. Now your space is more beautiful and organized than ever before and you find yourself more productive and less stressed out. Congratulations! But now what? How do you maintain that sense of order and calm?

1. Everything in its place, and a space for everything

Getting organized is one thing, staying organized is another — but the two tasks are connected. When organizing, make sure you have a specific place for everything. If an object or group of objects has a dedicated space, you are more likely to put it back in that exact same place every time. Using bins and dividers to separate or demarcate will ensure that you avoid making a mess or intermingling unrelated things when putting them back.

2. Label, label, label

Labeling is another key to making sure that everything gets put back in its proper place by every member of your household. Even if your partner and kids were not involved in the original organization process, the more cues you provide regarding where things belong, the easier you make it for everyone to participate in maintaining the order you’ve created. There are labeling options for every situation, whether you use a simple label maker, clip-on labels, purchase pre-printed labels, or even order custom-made options.

3. Limit buying in bulk, or at least buy strategically

I know, I know, it’s hard to resist that awesome deal on that industrial size vinegar or cereal from Costco or Sam’s Club, but if you don’t have the space for it, you are just going to disrupt the organization you’ve fought hard to achieve.

If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated space for what the organizational gurus at The Home Edit refer to as “backstock,” then you have more flexibility with buying items you are going to store for a while before using. Alternately, if you have just a little extra space on a shelf for example, you can store packaged backstock items directly behind like items currently in use.

4. Take regular inventory

In the pantry or refrigerator, check your expiration dates once a month. And dispose of items that have exceeded their shelf life. If you have unexpired nonperishable items that you know you won’t use, gather them together and donate them to a food pantry. Mark your calendar for maybe the first of the month to perform a quick, 5-minute inventory that will help keep your kitchen ship-shape.

Speaking of marking your calendars, maybe twice a year or once a season, plan to go through clothing items. If your kids have outgrown clothing, or if something is no longer to your taste and hasn’t been worn in a year, gather those items and donate them as well.

5. Be a little bit ruthless

We’re all sentimental about our mementos, from photographs to concert programs, especially when it comes to our children, but take a moment to really consider how meaningful that math test with an “A” grade and a happy face truly is. Will a digital picture suffice? If you’re not sure yet, keep a box of to-be-evaluated items and make a specific appointment with yourself to go through them once or twice a year. Discard what you can part with, and put away the treasured items in clearly marked, dedicated boxes or containers.

6. Change is inevitable, embrace it

We all change, as do our tastes and needs. Over time, you will bring new objects and products into your home and these new items will likely pose a challenge to your existing organization. This is normal and manageable as long as you stay on top of it. Shift containers and bins around and re-label as necessary. Make room for the new but also be willing to say goodbye to the old. And always alert your household members to the changes so that they can help you maintain the slightly revised system. And speaking of your partners in organization, regularly check in with them about how the system is working for them too; if they suggest changes need to be made to make life easier for them, try to implement these so that the system works well for everyone.

7. Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back

Regularly admire your beautiful space and hard work. As often as you can, take a moment to look around and mindfully appreciate the beauty and order you’ve created and continue to maintain. Every once in a while encourage the members of your family to do the same, maybe even by asking them a simple question like “Doesn’t this space look fantastic?” The more you and your family appreciate, love, and respect your space, the more likely you are to make the effort to maintain that look and feel.