What are The 3 R's of Organizing?

Remember the 3 R's of Organizing!

Organizing an unorganized space can be very overwhelming.  It can be hard to focus when all you can see is clutter and chaos.  So how do you drag yourself away from that feeling of dread and start tackling your organizing issues?
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 1.)  Release

This is the most important step when it come to organizing.  When we want to get organized we have to make some difficult decisions, and a lot of them! For whatever reason we have a tendency to hold onto things that no longer serve us because we "might need them someday" or 'because that was from someone special," or a number of other reasons that make it hard for us to let go. 

Let me ask you this, what good is an item that doesn't fit or function in your life? It isn't being used and frankly you might not even like it! But, there it sits taking up valuable space (and energy, mental and otherwise) that can be used to house things we truly love. We have to come to a point where we realize that releasing items we do not like or need, releases us. It can be a very freeing experience to simply let things go. 

 2.) Relocate

Once we make it through the difficult, but necessary, stage of releasing items that no longer hold a special place in our lives, we are free to relocate the items that are left. Often times we get stuck in the rut of "that's always how it's been so why change it?" Once you start moving things around and start finding suitable homes for your things, a new breath of fresh air will usher in.

Plus you'll start to realize that things you already own can be used in many different ways.  For example, an empty bucket you use only for parties can hold all of your children's snacks. Or, your favorite coffee mug can houses pens on your desk.  Once you open yourself up to change you'll be surprised how easily things fall into place.

 3.) Repeat

Now that you have everything where you want it, continue to follow the steps that lead you there. If you go out and buy a new pair of shoes and two new shirts, go in your closet and find three things you no longer need or use. If you really want to stay organized find ten things to release.

An easy way to do this is to set up a donation box somewhere in your home. Let everyone know where it is so when they come across items they no longer need, it's easy to let them go. When the box is full, bring it to your favorite charity. 

If things start to get moved from their homes, simply make a plan to put them back. Make it a game by timing your kids to see who can put their things away the fastest. Or, set up a day or two a week where you relocate things back where they belong. After awhile it'll just become habit to put things back, because you'll start to realize it just feels good to B Organized!