As a child I used to resent it when my mom made me tidy up my closet, but as an adult I find cleaning up to be quite the rewarding experience. Going home to a clean apartment is one of life’s greatest delights. While I am not a natural at keeping everything where it should be, but it is a skill that can be learned.
While I haven’t been in school for longer than I care to admit, I still think of September as the time to organize things. It is a second chance for people who missed their January resolution deadline. I read Marie Kondō’s book, The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up a couple of years ago and found many of her tips quite useful. The book was so inspirational that Netflix turned it into a reality show. My dining room table is still usually a mess, but my sock drawer has never been neater.
I am already planning my annual clean-up in the first weekend in September and I have some tips that can help even Little Miss Messy to conquer the mountain of mismatched socks
Plan Ahead
It takes time and energy to get organized. So, go ahead and block out the day in your calendar. Dedicate the day or maybe even the entire weekend to tackling the task. Make a list of all the problem areas you want to tackle first so you don’t miss spots. Write down your goals for the great cleanup that will end all cleanups so that you stay motivated.
Make it fun
Turn up the volume on your favorite Spotify playlist so that you can dance along while you trash all of those unused knickknacks that just collect dust and have no real purpose in your life. If you are not too embarrassed invite a friend or family member to help you out. Who knows, you might even bond over your messy kitchen cabinet.
Call The Pros
If all else fails, hire a professional organizer. There is no shame in asking for help from someone who knows what they are doing. The reclaimed space alone is worth the expense. There are a couple of locals who might be able to help you like @theminimalsort and @tidygiraffe on Instagram.
Go Shopping
No, I am not suggesting you buy more stuff just for the sake of it but finding the right baskets and boxes can really help you store your belongings more efficiently and can help you easily see and find the things you are looking for. Once you have designated a container for socks, it becomes easier to just put your clean folded laundry there every time instead of shoving them into random drawers. IKEA is one of the best places to find versatile storage solutions. Another fantastic source is Daiso, where you can also find vacuum bags for storing clothing and blankets that you won’t be using this season.
Beat The Guilt
Many of us feel bad about throwing away things that are still usable. But no one said you need to trash things. Donate or recycle instead. There are many charities that will take everything from clothing to electric appliances and deliver them to people who need them.
Once you are done you can sit back and relax and enjoy the fruits of your hard work. The trick now is to make sure that you don’t slip back into old habits. Now that your living room is amazingly free of clutter, you can invite your friends next weekend.
Featured image from Unsplash.
