The first step in getting back to basics and living intentionally is letting go of clutter and making sure your home is organized. Homes are designed to be lived in, how you utilize your space and organize it really is up to you. Having an organized home means that you know what you have and know where to find everything you have.
Consider this:
What your home should NOT be:
- Storage locker
- Landfill
- Waste-transfer station
- University/College dormitory
- Hospital
- Hotel
What your home SHOULD be:
- A reflection of your personality and values
- A composition of your history, ideas and taste
- A place to rest and relax
- A place to function
When organizing your home, you must consider:
- How you want to feel
- What you need to do
- What you want to do
Then you need to rate how you feel about your items, particularly around being displayed.
- Do you like all items hidden and every surface clean?
- Do you prefer to keep only functional or everyday-use items out, like a coffee maker and toaster?
- Do you like to be surrounded by memories or a chosen aesthetic?
Basically, all homes need to let us do 3 things at a minimum: sleep, wash, and eat. Consider what else you need it to provide.
- Do you work from home?
- Is working out at home an essential activity?
- Do you own pets?
Do you want to declutter and organize your home, but don’t know where to start? Do it in this order.
- Bedroom
The most important room in your home is your bedroom or where you sleep. A good sleep is so important for your health and well-being. Remove all items that cause stress. Put your dirty clothes in the hamper and fold and hang your wearable clothing. Toss or donate any clothing you don’t wear. Vacuum!
- Bathroom
The room to do your business, use multiple times a day, and want to get clean in should get higher priority than it often does. There is nothing like a good shower in a tidy bathroom to help you relax and feel great. Declutter expired medications and make-up. Recycle empty product bottles, and use the almost empty ones first. Fold or hang towls!
- Kitchen
Whether you are a cook or not, you gotta eat. Items you can toss right now are broken dishes and leftovers you are not going to eat. Pantry items are easily donated, and there are people in your community who need them. Look at the dates and bring the ones with the nearest dates forward to use first. Items that you use regularly should be within arm’s reach and occasional items stored higher up or lower down. Keep like items with like items or items that get used together also get stored together.
Make sure you have a zone in your home that is clutter-free so you can do things you love to do. If you love to read, create a reading nook. If you love to do puzzles do you have a spot you can designate for that activity? If your dining room table needs to multi-function you can get a puzzle mat. I have this one from Lee Valley https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/toys-and-games/crafts/52302-puzzle-roll?item=45K4204&utm_source=free_google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_campaign=CAN-EN%7CPLA%7CPMax%7CHome%7CHighPriceTier&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkoe9BhDYARIsAH85cDMMeD946JbnU_zNHEd3dCMajcMxnZ8VbUa-5Nj4BNgmFngdnGb8sOcaAl3xEALw_wcB It works great!
Just as getting enough sleep and feeling organized is so important for health and well-being so is being able to relax and enjoy what you love. For me right now it’s knitting. Here is a pattern for a hat I just knit file:///C:/Users/chris/Downloads/A_twisted_Affair_by_Joji.pdf. It turned out great!
