Examining Patterns and Places

For most of us, we tend to do things in a routine way. For example, we tend to use the same entrance in and out of our homes. For me, I pass through my kitchen into the utility/laundry room, and then go out the door into the garage. When I come back in, I tend to set any large packages or items in the utility room, and then place smaller things like mail on my kitchen counter.

We tend to develop these routines without thinking all that much about them. In trying to get a handle on clutter and get more organized, we need to actively revisit how we move through our spaces. Sort of "retrace our steps", so to speak. Once we do this, we may find that simple adjustments to our routines can help streamline things. For example, if you come in the door and immediately proceed to the left to your living room, where you wind up taking off your coat and leaving it there. Instead, you might turn to your right, and go to the coat closet first. This simple adjustment can make a big change, especially if everyone in your household does it.

Also, examine where clutter tends to come into the house and where it tends to linger. Let's say mail comes into your kitchen, and ultimately really belongs in your home office, but never seems to make its way there. This means there is a routine that is missing. Adding a basket to put the mail into might be a first step in establishing a routine. Placing the basket in a location that you can easily grab it on the way to your office is another step to take.

By asking yourself what you are currently doing and asking why it is not working, you will be able to better focus on new routines that will better serve your organizing goals.