With the kids out of the house and at camp for the summer, we all have our long to-do lists to accomplish without the little ones underfoot. But those long to-do lists to get organized and de-clutter the home can be intimidating. A professional organizer shares tips to make the task of organizing a little easier—and less daunting.
Last summer I was on the phone with a good friend, and she shared her ambitious plans of de-cluttering her entire house by herself while her kids were at sleepaway camp for the summer. Every week she hemmed and hawed over how much she had to do, and at the end of the summer, she had never started the project. Instead of enjoying her time off, she created her own personal stress, and, ultimately, a sense of failure. The biggest pitfall is setting unrealistic goals that feel overwhelming, and, as a result, never get done.
Now that we know the pitfalls, it’s time to find the recipe for success. Instead of biting off more than you can chew, try little bites at fixed times. Instead of saying “my goal is cleaning the whole house” consider breaking up the task into smaller pieces. For example:
- Week 1: File or toss kids’ schoolwork from the previous year. Clear out their backpacks and desks.
- Week 2: Sort, store, or donate outgrown clothes.
- Week 3: Clean children’s bathroom drawers and cabinets.
Be specific in how you budget your time. Set aside a few hours to accomplish the task and write it into your calendar. If this still seems overwhelming, call an organizer! Our goal is to help you stay on task and coach you through the process of de-cluttering and simplifying your life.
Devote two hours a week and enjoy the rest of your summer doing things that you love!
