There’s a meme circulating on social media lately where a woman is sitting in the middle of the floor of her bedroom or closet with piles of clothes and things all around her with the caption “when the motivation wears off.” Perhaps it’s so funny because it’s relatable for so many of us. This happens all too often in the organizing world when you get that sudden impulse to tackle a problem area but later realize you bit off more than you can chew.
So what is the best way to tackle your trouble spots?
One bite-sized chunk at a time.
This may sound over-simplified to you, but remember, organization is all about simplifying. So when you stop to think about it, it absolutely makes sense. By breaking larger, more time-consuming tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks, you help set yourself up for success! It works when you’re studying for a test. It works when you have a big project to tackle at work. It works when you’re prepping for the holidays (more on this another day!). And so of course it works when you’re organizing the physical spaces in your home.
Take your closet, for example. Have you ever had the urge to pull everything out at once to give yourself a fresh start? Did you do it? How’d that work out for you? *wince* Feel free to tell me about it below in the comments if you did! If you’ve had the urge, but didn’t pull the trigger, *phew* then this tip will definitely help make the process more manageable for you.
Picture your own closet in your mind. What kinds of storage areas exist inside? Chances are there is hanging space, some shelves, maybe even some drawers. Take a moment to think about what bothers you the most about your closet. Are the shelves or drawers a mess? If the hanging area so full that it’s hard to get clothes in and out or even find what you’re looking for? Wherever your top trouble spot exists, that’s where you start. So if it’s hanging clothes, pick ONE section of hanging clothes to pull out first. And then follow the steps in this blog post to make sense of that one section before moving on.
When you complete that first section, not only will you have done it in a way that didn’t totally overwhelm you, but you’ll have quick evidence that this process makes a difference in your space and how you feel. That, in turn, helps serve as motivation to keep you moving forward and eager to tackle the next section of hanging clothes or maybe move on to a single shelf next.
It’s worth mentioning that there will be times when you finish the intended section and feel so energized that you will want to continue in that moment! This is awesome! If time and energy allow, I say go for it! At the same time, there will be days when you have that motivation to keep going, but the time isn’t available at the moment. Use that moment of energy to look at your schedule and immediately pick out a time to continue your work in the space. Put it on your calendar. Set a reminder or two. Stick to this plan you make for yourself!
And then, my friend, there will be days when this work will drain you. It happens. Whether it’s hormones, the phase of the moon, or you just aren’t feeling it that day, there will be times when you finish a space and scream “Hallelujah, I’m finished for today!” Allow yourself to walk away with a smile knowing you accomplished another small win today that’s going to continue building each day you show up for yourself and your goal to get organized.