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ORGANIZE YOUR MOST FRUSTRATING CLOSET

This week we are going to open up (at least one of) our worst closets and clean up the mess. You may not believe me, but the beauty of closets is that they almost always take less time to organize than you’re thinking!

Select your most frustrating closet, the one you would be most embarrassed for a visitor to open. That’s the one.

Once again, let’s follow the organizing steps. I want these really set in your mind.

1 – DECLUTTER

Start by pulling everything out. That’s right, you’re going to pull everything out of the closet. It is going to feel a little like a can of worms, but the only way to get this closet organized is to go through the motions! And while you’re working on Step 1, it’s okay to go ahead and work on Step 2 at the same time. Let me explain …

2 – SORT LIKE WITH LIKE

As you empty the closet while decluttering, sort the items you’re keeping into piles of similar things. For example, you might have a pile of games, a pile of camping supplies, a pile of coats, a pile of gloves, or a pile of toilet paper you forgot you had at the back of the closet.

If you come across something that is similar to stuff stored somewhere else, that is going in your relocate pile, because in the big picture, you want your entire home sorted “like with like”.

3 – DECIDE WHERE STUFF GOES

This is going to be like the Bathroom week, but on a larger scale. I suggest sketching your closet and listing your items and creating a plan on paper first. Determine the groups of like items (i.e. categories).

If you already have shelves and organization setup within the closet that you want to re-use, you can go ahead and place the piles in those locations.

Use your list and sketch the arrangement on scratch paper.

4 – Find the right tools, containers, or furniture

Now that you know how you want the closet arranged, find the right organizing tools and containers to make it work. Take a few minutes and create a plan for your containers. Decide what containers you already have and what you’ll need to buy.

Go get your organizing tools and install anything that needs to be installed. Then, put everything back in the closet. This is the most rewarding part seeing it come together.

5 – MAKE IT PRETTY

You may think that making a closet pretty is silly or strange, but there’s a functional reason for it. Enjoying how something looks inspires us to keep it looking good. Take a second to do something to spruce up the space so that it is a delight to open the door.

Brainstorm: Does the paint need to be touched up? Could you use pretty labels on any bins? Buy matching containers? Wrap boring plastic containers in fabric?

What will you do to make your closet just a little prettier?

6 – CREATE A MAINTENANCE PLAN

What habits are you going to start that will keep this closet looking good? The habits may have little to do with specific organizing tasks for the closet, like “I resolve to not shove things in this closet. If something doesn’t have a place in my home, it doesn’t belong in my home.” Or “I am going to do drop-offs to my donation center on a more regular basis.” Or “I’m going to start the Super Tidy and spend 10 minutes a day putting things away where they go so that I’m not tempted to just shove things in this closet when company is coming.”

Sometimes the maintenance plan is just simply about self-discipline mixed with the sincere desire to just keep it organized!

You’ve completed a tough week. You conquered your hardest closet! Don’t be surprised if suddenly it’s a little easier to keep everything organized. The big messes, even hidden messes in closets, are mental blocks keeping us stuck. Now is the time to move forward!

REMEMBER

MORE INSPIRATION

Wishing you lots of awesome organizing this week!

From my home to yours,
Mary

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