As a business owner, I usually work from home, so it’s important to keep my home and office organized and free from clutter and other distractions. Working in a tidy space helps increase my productivity and keeps me inspired.
If you’ve been following my posts, you’ll notice this is my third post this year on organization. First, I wrote about spring cleaning tips, then I wrote about how to maintain a tidy home. Yep, it’s definitely a trend for me this year.
I’ve been working hard to get rid of clutter and get my home and office organized. So far, I’ve managed to tackle my home office, the kids’ playroom, and their bedroom. Still on the list is my bedroom closet and drawers, as well as my old scrapbook stuff. I used to scrapbook before I had my own business and two kids. When my first daughter was born, she got a beautiful album. My second little girl didn’t exactly get a beautiful album, and the truth is that all my scrapbook stuff is just sitting in my closet so it’s time to let go and sell/donate all the things. This process has been a reality check — I’ve come to the realization that I don’t NEED to have so much stuff. Less is definitely better!
Habits of Tidy People
Throughout this organization process, I’ve also learned there are a few habits that tidy people have in common.
- Tidy people are always picking up after themselves. They don’t let things pile up over time, especially paper.
- Tidy people make their beds every day. They believe this sets you up for success!
- Tidy people don’t toss items on the floor. They put things back where they belong.
- Tidy people don’t own a lot of stuff. They keep only what’s necessary.
- Tidy people enjoy minimalist décor. They prefer to have an uncluttered home.
Do I still qualify as a tidy person if I meet about 60% of these requirements? I don’t always make my bed, but I always have good intentions. And I still own too much stuff, even though I’ve gotten rid of tons of things already. I guess you could say I’m a work in progress.
Home Office Solutions
These are a few of the things that have helped me get my office in order.
- Use pretty, user-friendly baskets, bins and containers to store your supplies or any unsightly items. Use bins to keep like items together and label them properly to find items easily. By storing things in uniform bins, you will maintain a cleaner, more uncluttered look overall. These storage baskets from Target are some my favorite. I also love white storage boxes.
- Get rid of paper. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, I must admit, this is my pain point. I tend to hold onto papers, magazines, brochures, catalogs, and all these things for way too long. I went through all the paper in my office and got rid of so many unnecessary things. Honestly, it felt so good to do this.
- Create a filing system. Whether you color-code your files (red for medical, green for financial, and so on), use a closed file cabinet, open file organizer, etc., the idea is to find something that works for you. These acrylic collators from The Container Store are perfect for organizing my active work folders so they are always within arm’s reach.
- Sort the mail (and other papers) as you get them. Having an inbox for new mail, outbox for outgoing mail, a place for bills that need to be paid, things to be filed away, school forms, and other important documents will make you feel like you’re in control. Just be sure to take a few minutes and review what’s in each folder at least once a week.
- Keep office supplies organized. Use trays and small containers that fit inside your drawers to keep pens, staples, Post-It notes, adhesives, and more in an easy-to-find location. You can also use pretty containers or clear desktop organizers for items you tend to use every day.
What are some of your favorite ways to stay organized? Please share in the comments below!
