GON Reader Question
Good Strategy for Organizing My House
Hi Maria,
The new school year is starting soon and my young children will be returning to school.
I'm a stay-at-home mom, so this will definitely give me much-needed time to organize my house. What is a good strategy to get started?
-- Chelsea
Maria's Response
Hi Chelsea,
Congratulations on the upcoming new school year for your kiddos. I hope
they have a wonderful start and continued success throughout the year! Yes, this time of year is an an excellent opportunity to tackle some organizing goals while they're at school. Here's a doable strategy:
1. Goal Index Cards: Grab a stack of index cards and write down one specific organizing goal on each card. Make sure each goal represents a single task, not an entire project. For example, "Organize a shelf
in the kitchen pantry," "Sort through the kids' toy box," "Tidy the linen closet," etc. 2. Daily Card Tackling: Each morning, pick one index card randomly from the stack to determine your organizing goal for the day. Then, get that goal handled. Feel free to draw more than one card
if you wish, after you complete each card, but don't overwhelm yourself.
3. Enjoyable Rewards: Upon completing each organizing goal, treat yourself to a small reward as a way to celebrate your accomplishment. For example, after decluttering a pantry shelf, mindfully enjoy a cup of
lemonade outside on the front porch.
4. Focus on Decluttering: Before diving into organizing, prioritize decluttering each space. This way, you can create a clean slate and have a better idea of what items need storage solutions.
5. Self-Care Time: While the kids are in school, be sure to take some time for yourself each day. Use this time for activities that energize and make you happy, like going for a walk, doing yoga, or pursuing a hobby. Recharging yourself will make you more joyful and prepared to welcome your kids back home. By following these steps, you'll find yourself making steady progress in organizing your house while also taking care of your well-being. Enjoy the process and the sense of accomplishment with each completed index card goal!
Happy back-to-school
season!
