Tag: Winston Salem Declutter and Organize

Have you had your home professionally organized? You may be wondering, “How do I keep this magic alive?” During your organization session, you likely had systems implemented to keep the space in good shape. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, spaces become cluttered and disorganized over time. The reality is we actually live in our homes and use all our things, right? Maintaining the organized space will require an ongoing effort and a commitment to the cause. So how do we do that?

5 Ways to Maintain Your Organized Space

1. Create a Routine
   • Establish a regular, consistent time to revisit and refresh the space. Some spaces, like your kitchen & pantry, may require daily attention.
2. Designated Homes
   • Return items in your home to their proper places after each use.
3. Declutter Regularly
   • Set aside time as needed to consistently declutter your spaces. This can be monthly or even seasonally.
4. One In, One Out
   • For every new item that comes in, one must go out. Putting this rule into practice will help prevent clutter so you can spend less time decluttering. This is also the difference between getting organized and staying organized
5. Review and Adjust
   • Life is ever changing so be flexible. Allow room for adjustments of your organizing systems needed.

– Pro-Tip from Organized Jill –

I like to “put the kitchen to bed” every day. In the evening, I make sure the dishwasher is loaded, the sinks are emptied and sanitized, the countertops are wiped clean, and any trash is disposed of. Having a clean slate to start the next morning fresh has such a calming effect.

If you need a hand maintaining your organized space, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

We live in a time and in a world overrun with stuff. We all have too many things. Clutter doesn’t just fill up our homes, it fills up our minds as well. It is hard to peacefully exist in a space where there is no room to move or think. 

Sometimes the clutter in our homes gets out of hand and ahead of us before we even realize what is happening. This can lead to a feeling of overwhelm and uncertainly of how to regain control of the situation. Learning how to begin the process of decluttering and learning how to let things go can be difficult to do. There are often sentimental attachments to many of our things. While the process may be difficult, the end results payoff. 

8 Mental & Emotional Benefits of Reducing the Clutter

Reduces Stress

Reducing your clutter will alleviate the stress and overwhelm you feel, changing to a sense of order and control.

Creates Order

Eliminating the visual chaos in your home will decrease the feeling of being surrounded by disorder and create a feeling of calmness

Improves Focus

A clutter free environment leads to fewer distractions allowing you to concentrate on the task at hand.

Increases Productivity

Streamlining your environment will reduce procrastination and you will spend less wasted time searching for things.

Enhances Mood

Living in clutter free space will make you feel better overall and improve your mental well-being.

Promotes Mindfulness

Assessing and taking stock of your belongings will create a greater sense of awareness that will likely extend to other areas of your life.

Encourages Letting Go

Letting go of physical clutter can help you learn to let go of emotional baggage or clutter as well.

Improves Relationships

A warm, welcoming space will be something your are pleased to share with others making hosting guests more enjoyable.

Decluttering your home isn’t just about getting rid of your stuff. Improving your mental and emotional clarity by improving your physical space will help you feel happier and more fulfilled in life.

If you don’t know where to start, working with a professional organizer may be a good solution for you. A professional organizer can remove the overwhelm and help guide you through the process. Sometimes the best first step is asking for help.

Have you ever wondered about professional level decluttering? Do you ever wonder what if a Professional Home Organizer, like myself, showed up at your house right now there’s a handful of things they’d immediately throw out without a second thought. Interested in what those things are? Keep reading!

Top 5 Items to Declutter

Item #1: Flimsy Kitchen Utensils

You know what I’m talking about. That spatula you bought from IKEA when you moved into your first apartment. Promotional mugs. The cheap wine openers you’ve collected from holiday parties. The knife you got at Target that bends every time you try to slice an apple. If the utensil doesn’t serve its purpose…then it no longer serves you. Time to go!

Item #2: Clothes That Don’t Fit

Like everyone on the planet, I have been many different sizes in my life. If my team and I have organized your closet, then you know that we call these clothes “bullies”. We always ask our clients, “why would you want bullies in your closet? I want my wardrobe to make me feel good about the way I look today.” Even if I get to some magic number someday, it’s going to look different. Because time & gravity. 

Item #3: Broken Items

Have you ever had the intention to fix a broken toy, mend a garment, fix an appliance and then life gets in the way? Before you know it, 6 months have gone by. The item is either long forgotten about, or has been replaced by now effectively making it “clutter”. Let it go and move forward. 

Item #4: Long Ago Expired Items

The expiration umbrella has a lot of items under it. I’m talking food in the fridge, spices in the cabinet, medications in the bathroom, even makeup on your vanity. If it’s expired, or you didn’t even like the product, toss it. If not for the sake of decluttering, then for the sake of bacteria.

Item #5: Paperwork & Cards

We live in a magical time where we can stop paperwork from flooding our kitchen counters. Sign up for electronic billing, statements, news. Any time you have the paperless option, take it! 

Go through your file cabinet and toss (or shred) expired policies, long ago paid bills, and even greeting cards that are just signed “from Bob”. Listen… if Bob couldn’t be bothered to write a meaningful message about how special you are to him, it’s ok to let that greeting card go. Keep the ones with meaningful messages in a memory box. If there are cards from people who are no longer in your life, it’s ok to let the card go to the wayside.