5 Organization Myths That May Be Holding You Back
For a long time, organization and I didn’t get along. I dreamed of alphabetized bookshelves, completed to-do lists, and a world where I wasn't constantly looking for my keys. I bought the books and read the blogs, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make my organizational dreams into a reality. Decluttering was like wack-a-mole. I’d clear one pile only for another to appear. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel and resign to a life of stepping on stray legos, I wondered if it was less about learning how to organize, and more about unlearning what I thought I knew about organization. Here are 5 organization myths I had to shake before I got to organizational bliss...although I sometimes still misplace my keys.
“I just can’t get organized!”
This used to be my sad refrain, but I truly believe organizing is for everyone. It’s a skill that can be honed over time and isn’t one-size-fits-all. I longed for the spotless pantries that filled my Instagram feed, the ones perfectly lined with clear labeled jars. But, after really thinking about it, that wasn’t in my budget nor would it make my pantry more useable. Instead, I organized items into groups and labeled each shelf by category. Admittedly, it’s not as pretty, but it proved an efficient system that I was actually able to maintain. Find the method that works for you and makes your life easier. It may take some trial and error, and that’s ok!
Being organized takes too much time.
Have you ever heard that saying “It takes money to make money?” The same goes for time. Spending 10 minutes making my little one’s lunch the night before saves me double the time and the headache comes with doing it the morning of. Taking some time to set up a morning and evening ritual, or putting some sustainable systems into place will give you a little (or a lot of ) leeway down the line. You can start small, like laying out your clothes the night before or moving all of your child’s toys to one place. Once you’ve conquered one habit or task, you can add in another. Getting and staying organized is a process so try to find an attainable schedule and routine that won’t leave you burnt out and over burdened.
Organization requires perfection.
One of my first organization assignments to have a consistent place to put my keys. Looking for my keys always gets me in a tizzy and that was one small way to ease my stress and add some time back into my day. Admittedly, sometimes I tuck my keys into a jacket pocket, or drop them somewhere I don’t remember because I was running inside with a screaming toddler, and that’s ok. A simple slip up doesn’t mark all of your other organizational efforts moot. No one expects you to be perfect. My house is rarely photoshoot ready. Sometimes, my dining table will be spotless and my desk will be a mess. That’s ok too. Being completely organized all the time just isn’t realistic for most of us. Give yourself some grace and focus on what’s going right!
Organization doesn’t leave room for fun.
Getting organized can sometimes feel like a bore. If you’re feeling uninspired, mix in the things that make you happy! Having a gorgeous planner, like my Golden Coil notebook, actually gets me excited to meal plan. Being able to listen to an audiobook leaves me looking forward to washing windows. Think about what you can integrate into your organizational efforts to help you find your groove.
Being organized requires too many fancy tools.
I spent weeks postponing a closet clean out because I didn’t have the “right” storage containers or hangers. I thought I needed a bunch of things before I could get started, which was both a procrastination tactic and feeling like I had to adhere to a picture-perfect version of organization. If you have a project you don’t feel like you can’t get started on because you don’t have the right tools, think about what you do have. Don’t have a label maker? A pen and tape will work just fine. Organization is a process. Focus on practicality over perfection, and just go for it!
What have been some of your biggest organization struggles? How have you overcome them? Let us know in the comments.