5 Basic Rules of Organizing – Lisa Tonjes Moritz Hope Organizing

This is a guest post by local business owner, Lisa Tonjes Moritz with Hope Organizing. 

Top 5 Basics Rules of Organizing

I’ve been in the organizing business for over 10 years and each client is a new and different experience but I have some basic “rules” that can be applied in almost every situation. I will give examples of how to apply these rules in your home or business. My passion is photos and memorabilia and I’ll show you tips on how to preserve your memories in an organized way.

1 – Have a home for almost everything

If things don’t have a home – it’s always going to be constant clutter because you don’t know where to put things. It’s also important to keep like items with like items.

Home –

Just a few things that should all be kept together: Paperwork, holiday decorations, batteries, extra linens (if they can be used in multiple locations) and books just to name a few.

A few things that you may not keep all together but they need a home some that you can always find them: scissors, flashlights, towels, pens, cleaning supplies (only if something is very specific – like toilet cleaner under each bathroom sink)

Photos –

Keep all printed photos in one place in your home (with the exception of some photos hanging on the wall) – This is especially important if you don’t have back-ups of everything, as you grab and go if needed in case of emergency.

All digital photos should be stored in one hub. (this can be a computer or external hard drive) If you have some on your phone, some on an old computer, some on memory cards…it will take a long time to find what you are looking for.

 

2 – Label almost everything (especially helpful if you share the space)

I know some people can get totally carried away with a label maker but if you have a label of some sort, it makes it so much easier to find!

Home –

Any closed box or container should be labeled. In some cases, you can get really creative or just print something out on a label maker. I really like pocket labels that can be put on a container once but the insert can be changed when needed.

Photos –

Printed photos – take the time to write on the back (with a photo safe pencil)

Digital photos – change the file name from the name given by the camera, like img0086, to something more helpful. I recommend the following (year-month-day – event – place). An example of how this might look is: 2018-01-14 – Anderson 2^nd Birthday Party – Omaha

3 – Don’t just transfer clutter

Don’t just move everything from one space to the next without a purpose.

Home –

When you move homes, declutter first. It is really silly to take the time, money and energy to move things you do not need or even want.

If you have moved more than 6 months ago and still have unopened boxes – I would guess that you don’t need anything in the boxes. (one exception may be photos and memorabilia)

Do you have a storage unit? If so, do you really need it? The only really good reason for a storage unit is for between moves, etc. When was the last time you visited your storage unit? Do you really need to spend the extra money?

Also, don’t just transfer from room to room. If you pick up a bunch of items in the living room and through in the guest room – all you did was move the clutter. (see #1 – everything needs a home)

Photos –

Digital photos often get moved with no rhyme or reason. This often happens with transferring photos from a camera to a computer without paying attention to what has already been transferred. (I once found 22 copies on the same photo when using a duplicate finder on a client’s photos.)

4 – Don’t purchase containers to get organized – organize and then purchase containers

When I go into people’s homes, I often do not recommend they purchase any kind of containers because they typically already have a wide variety. Buying display or designer baskets and totes will not make you organized. It’s all about how you use the organizing tools you have.

If you are going to start organizing in the near future (within in the next month) and the store has a good return policy, then I recommend buying twice as many as you think you will need. You can always return the extras.

Choose containers that can be purchased again in the future. These containers are generic and nonspecific. I prefer clear storage tubs with white lids because you will always be able to find this color and you won’t end up with a rainbow of containers of different shapes. If you buy clear containers, you can see what’s inside too. For photos, I use black photo boxes because it creates a clean look and again, there will always be black boxes.

5 – One in and One out

If you follow the One in and One out rule, you should be able to eliminate most of your excess clutter.

Home –

When you buy a new pair of shoes or a new clothing item – let another go. We all only have a certain amount of closet space and hangers. Use it wisely and don’t clutter with things you don’t wear.

If you purchase a new toaster, coffee maker, tv, etc. – let the old one go! If you don’t have a specific use for the old one within 6 months it really needs to go.

Photos –

I am going to spin this rule a bit.

For printed photos – did you get duplicate copies back in the day? Get rid of the extra copy by giving it to someone else that would appreciate it or just throw it out.

For digital photos – take some time to delete photos “extra” photos when you have the chance. Did you take 50 photos of your child to get the perfect pictures to share on Facebook? Delete at least 45 of the losers (your children will thank you for it).

I HOPE you can see how at least 1 or all 5 of these rules of organizing can be applied in your life.

Lisa is a professional organizer in Omaha and she is also certified by the Association of Personal Photo Organizers. She does home, photo and business organizing. If you’d like more information, make sure to check out Lisa’s website. 

 

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