8 Ways to Jumpstart Organizing This Year

Get & Keep Your Home Organized for the New Year!

Organizing your home can seem like climbing a mountain, especially when you're staring at piles of clutter with no idea where to begin. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and put the task off for another day. But what if we told you there was a way to conquer this mountain and enjoy the journey?

Merry Maids®, experts in creating clean and organized spaces, are here to rescue you from the clutches of procrastination and disarray. Drawing from years of experience, we've compiled a list of eight tips to help you dive into home organization with renewed zest and maintain it throughout the year. These strategies are designed to turn the daunting task of organizing into manageable, even enjoyable, mini projects.

Whether you're looking to transform a chaotic garage or bring order to a jumbled junk drawer, these tips will help motivate you to create a haven of harmony.

1. Start Small

Embracing the task of home organization can seem daunting when viewed as a whole. The key to avoiding overwhelming feelings is approaching it in bite-sized chunks rather than in one sweeping attempt. Rather than tackling your entire home in a day, focus on a single, manageable area – this could be as small as organizing a drawer or a shelf or as large as a room. By conquering these smaller zones one at a time, the task becomes more achievable and less intimidating, paving the way for an organized space you love calling home.

2. Set Goals

Set clear, attainable goals to help motivate you for any task, including home organization. Instead of a vague “I should organize the house,” identify specific targets like “I will organize the kitchen pantry by Saturday.” This gives you a concrete objective to work toward and a timeframe to keep you on track. Such goal-setting makes the process more structured and manageable, providing a sense of direction and purpose that can kick-start your organizing journey.

3. Create a Schedule

Scheduling specific time slots for organization helps make it a routine part of your day or week. You could dedicate as little as 15 minutes daily or reserve a few hours on the weekend, based on what suits your lifestyle. This helps create consistency in maintaining order and prevents the task from becoming overwhelming. By treating organization like any other appointment in your schedule, you prioritize it, making it easier to accomplish and maintain your organized spaces.

4. Declutter First

Before diving into organization, it's important to declutter. This involves discarding, donating, or selling items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. By reducing the amount of unnecessary stuff, you simplify the organizing process and create space for the items that truly matter. This initial step of decluttering can help ease the task ahead and provide a clean slate for effective organization.

5. Use Organizing Tools

Utilizing organizing tools like baskets, bins, and drawer dividers can greatly enhance the organization process. These tools help categorize and separate items, making it easier to find what you need when you need it. They also add a visual element of order and tidiness, which can be satisfying and motivating. Furthermore, these tools maximize space efficiency, allowing you to store more in less space. So, investing in these organizing aids helps simplify the process and contributes to a more organized environment.

6. Make it Fun

Integrating enjoyable activities like listening to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook while organizing can make the task feel less tedious. Engaging your senses with something you enjoy distracts from the monotony and turns the process into a more enjoyable experience. It could potentially speed up the time it takes to organize as you become absorbed in the content you're listening to. This method helps make organizing less of a chore and offers an opportunity for learning or entertainment, enhancing the overall productivity of your organizing sessions.

7. Reward Yourself

Give yourself a small reward after you've accomplished an organizing task as a powerful motivator and a way to make the process more enjoyable. The reward could be as simple as a cup of your favorite coffee, a short relaxation break, or any small indulgence that feels special to you.

An immediate reward can help enhance intrinsic motivation and positive association with the work done and help make it easier to tackle similar tasks in the future. It's a form of self-appreciation that acknowledges your effort and time to create a more organized space.

Additionally, rewards like a short break provide an opportunity to rest and recharge, enhancing your productivity for the next task. On the other hand, a treat like a cup of coffee could be just the boost you need to keep the momentum going. Incorporating rewards into your organizing routine can make the process more satisfying and efficient, turning it into a habit rather than a chore.

8. Hire a Professional

Our organizing and cleaning service company can help you jumpstart your journey toward a tidier space with our customized organizational services. We want to help you get your home back to normal after the holidays. Trust us to help organize your refrigerator and freezer, kitchen cabinets, and more.