By now we all know the organizing process. Get out three bins - one for trash, one for donate, one for keep, and start making decisions … right?
Well, maybe. This is a tried and true de-cluttering method but I have a slight variation to offer, which is particularly suitable for those with a major organizing project at hand. It's also great for people who have a hard time making decisions or who get stuck and quit before the task is complete.
Here it is...
- Get out 1 bin*. Walk through your house and fill the bin with everything that doesn't belong. That includes trash and donation items, as well as items that are simply in the wrong place. Clothing in the garage? Office supplies in the bedroom? Books in the bathroom? Fill the bin and stash it somewhere out of sight.
- Once you've removed all that clutter, you're left with a pretty organized home. Enjoy it! Revel in the peace and order you have created.
- As you have time and energy, tackle that bin. First pull out trash and recycling items and discard them. Then decide what you absolutely need to keep and put it away in its proper place.
- What you're left with at the end is questionable stuff. For each item, ask yourself, do I want to re-clutter up my nice, neat house with this thing or can I add it to the donation pile?
Benefits of the 1-Bin method:
- Efficiency. This method allows you to work quickly, without getting hung up on every decision.
- Results. You see immediate results, which allows you to start enjoying your progress.
- Maintenance. Once you have great results, you're less likely to re-clutter your household and more likely to just say goodbye to the stuff in the bin.
*Disclaimer: The 1-Bin method will most likely require the employ of more than 1 bin. The idea is that you don't categorize bin items until AFTER you get results.