Gretchen Rubin’s Suggestions: Group Utilizing What You Already Have

In Outer Order, Internal Calm, I write about how clearing muddle and creating order could make us really feel lighter, happier, and extra centered. However getting organized doesn’t imply dashing out to purchase new bins or storage methods. Typically, one of the best place to start out is by taking stock and determining methods to use what we have already got.

Truly know what you have got

What number of instances have you ever purchased a brand new pocket book solely to discover a stack hiding in a drawer? Or picked up extra batteries since you weren’t positive in case you had any at dwelling? Earlier than bringing in something new, take stock. Open each drawer, look by way of each shelf, and be sure to know what you already personal.

Hold issues the place you utilize them

Group isn’t nearly tidiness—it’s about making life simpler. Essentially the most helpful issues are those which are simple to seize after we want them. In case you’re at all times trying to find scissors, don’t maintain them in a desk drawer throughout the home—retailer a pair the place you really use them.

Just a few simple changes:

• Retailer your keys by the door as an alternative of tossing them onto totally different surfaces.
• Hold a small basket of workplace provides the place you’re employed, relatively than stashed in a deep drawer.
• Place a laundry basket within the lavatory if that’s the place garments are inclined to accumulate.

Like it, use it, or let it go

In case you don’t adore it and don’t use it, why maintain it? I ask myself: “Do I would like it? Do I take advantage of it? Do I adore it?” If not, I think about donating it.

To assist resolve, ask your self:

• Have I used this within the final 12 months?
• Would I purchase this once more right now?
• Is that this taking on house that may very well be higher used for one thing I really want?

Get inventive with what you have already got

When you’ve gone by way of these steps, you might discover you don’t want to purchase new organizers or storage options in any respect—you don’t have something that must be organized. Past that, you possibly can repurpose on a regular basis objects to assist maintain issues so as. You may even have fairly a little bit of enjoyable within the course of. As an example:

• Flip a wall or whiteboard into a visible to-do record. Use washi tape and Submit-its to create a versatile, movable calendar or process board. Jot down duties or appointments and transfer them round as plans shift—no fancy planner required.
• Repurpose jars and packing containers. Mason jars can maintain pens, kitchen utensils, or make-up brushes. A shoebox can change into a drawer divider, and an outdated present field can retailer chargers and cords neatly.
• Use an outdated journal holder in new methods. Flip it on its facet to retailer reducing boards or foil and plastic wrap within the kitchen. Stand it upright to maintain notebooks or mail organized.
• Label with what you have got. As an alternative of shopping for new labels, use masking tape and a Sharpie or minimize up an outdated cereal field into DIY tags for storage bins.
• Make a “put-away bin.” Designate a basket or tote bag as a house for stray objects that want to return to their locations—nice for tidying up shortly.

After we take inventory, declutter, and get inventive, we frequently notice we don’t want to purchase something new to really feel extra organized. We simply want to make use of what we have already got—extra deliberately.