Half of staying organized is knowing where everything is supposed to go. To that end, blogger Abby Lawson suggests getting a labelmaker (or two) to print labels for stacking bins, kitchen canisters, file folders and other dedicated spaces. For small labels, Dymo and Brother make a number of easy-to-use, inexpensive sticky-tape systems, while larger printers offer the ability to print on clear plastic or vinyl. They make a great holiday gift for the accomplished neat freak — or anyone who aspires to get their stuff more organized in the new year.
Tag: organizing
Ordering Gifts That Encourage Organization Online
There’s still time to buy gifts for the neat-freak on your list online, even if you prefer to pay nothing for shipping. PopSugar suggests wire racks to keep the fridge more organized, a tiny vacuum cleaner for your computer keyboard, and a variety of hampers and organizers for clothing and shoes. Storage jars can help keep bulk goods fresh and easy to locate in the kitchen and pantry, while canvas totes can help sort out toiletries for people on the go. And if keeping jewelry or cosmetics organized and at the ready is a challenge, the site offers a number of catch-all dishes, trays and figural storage options.
Marie Kon-Don’t #4: Don’t (Necessarily) Get Rid of Books
While the KonMari Method recommends eliminating anything that doesn’t “spark joy” in one’s life, it doesn’t necessarily advocate getting rid of all one’s books, IndieWire says. Marie Kondo limits herself to 30, but tells would-be declutterers to discover what they value in their lives — and if it’s lots of books, so be it. “If the image of having only a few books makes you angry, that should tell you how passionate you are about books,” she says. “That, in itself, is a very important benefit of this process.” On the other hand, “if you’re retaining so many that you’re not reading, you might have to let go of some.”
Marie Kon-Don’t #3: Don’t Store Without Decluttering
One the biggest “don’ts” in Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method is to attempt to tidy up one’s home by storing everything without getting rid of anything. “When things are put away, a home will look neat, but if the storage units are filled with unnecessary items, it will be impossible to keep them organized, and this will inevitably lead to a relapse,” she told The Telegraph in 2016. “Consider any storage solutions made during the discarding process as temporary and focus all your attention on sorting the next category.” For help getting that excess stuff out of the way fast, contact ClothingDonations.org for a donation pickup.
Marie Kon-Don’t #2: Don’t Tell the Family
Marie Kondo, the star of Netflix’ hit show Tidying up With Marie Kondo, says that if you want to be successful in getting rid of excess stuff, don’t tell or show your family members what you’re getting rid of. “You’ve worked so hard to figure out which things are right for YOU to keep and what should be discarded,” says Apartment Therapy. “When your mom sees the huge bags of clothing and home goods you’re ready to kick to the curb, she’ll get nostalgic about certain pieces or worried that you won’t have enough left, so she’ll try to convince you to hang on to more than you should.”