organization

Make Vacation Relaxation Your Reality

Follow these tips on how to make your living space calm, relaxing and a “go-to” spot for you to mellow out.

• Think necessity. Look at the items in your home and, in one area at a time, determine whether or not those items are necessary or clutter contributors.
• Carry a bag or basket to put items you no longer need.
• Create a goal for yourself and a game plan of how you want to organize.
• Think of each area that you are organizing as a puzzle. If you sort through items and there is still controlled chaos, move and shift things around until you feel comfortable with what you have created.
• Be honest. Ask yourself if you would NEED that item packed away for a trip you were about to go on. If the answer is no, the chances of that item being unnecessary in a cluttered space is high.

In addition, RAADICL is how our Moxie Girl Household Assistants Organize:

• REMOVE - Remove only what is necessary which may mean everything in an area or just one shelf. Only remove what you need to finish that area before moving on. Do this as appropriate for your project.
• ARRANGE – As items are removed, put them into their own groups (e.g. all long sleeve shirts together, all dress socks together, all sauces/condiments together, etc.)
• ASSIGN – Create piles of items to be completely removed from the space. Always refer back to the goals you have for the space when questioning items. For larger organizations create the following list:
• SAVE: These items can be placed directly back into the space or kept separate if the space currently has no room (see WRONG ROOM).
• DONATE: These items are in good condition but haven’t been used in more than a year or the you no longer want them.
• REPAIR: The item will be repaired in less than thirty days.
• TRASH: Any items you do not want anymore.
• WRONG ROOM: These items belong in another space.
• DRAW – Measure the amount of space you have and what you think you will need for each category/group. Literally draw out the space and “place” the categories on paper first (it’s MUCH easier to do on paper and less time consuming if things change). Typically done on larger scale projects but a good “rule of thumb” for all projects.
• INVENTORY – Take inventory of any items that you may need to create your masterpiece. Purchase what is necessary to complete the project (use as much of what you currently own as possible before purchasing new ones). For a real treat create your project with consistency (e.g. all the same hangers, dividers, bins, etc.).
• CREATE – Put all your sorted piles in the space that you drew out. This part will be quick and easy if everything before was done correctly. Don’t forget to clean items as you go. Items returning to the organized space may need to be wiped down along with the space itself. Wipe shelves, clean walls, sweep, or vacuum floors.
• LABEL – Make it easier to keep your work looking amazing. There is a much higher chance of something staying organized if it is labeled for all to keep it organized.

All your organization projects will go much smoother and quicker if you follow these simple steps.