The 4 Stages of Getting Organized

Organizing your life and home is not a one-day event. It’s not a marathon that can be timed and there is no strict measurement of success. You wouldn’t sign yourself up for a marathon if you’re not a regular runner, so why would you obligate yourself to a completely organized home if you’re not used to decluttering? Take it one step at a time, and recognize that like every part of life, there are 4 stages of getting organized.

1. DENIAL

   • For many of us, the disarray in our lives is manageable only because we are great at avoiding our own clutter. Shove things into junk drawers, closets, and cabinets, and you’ve got some sparkling clean counters that foster the appearance of an organized home. However, eventually this method of “good enough” cleaning spirals quickly out of control. You lose things, can’t find important papers, and eventually, run out of space to cram junk.

2. ACCEPTANCE

   • This is when you decide that it’s about time to get organized. It could be wanting to get rid of daily stress that motivates you, or maybe you just want to be able to find basic household items without a mess. As soon as you recognize that your life and home needs organized, you’ve already made the biggest step towards an awesome life change.

3. OVERWHELM

   • Don’t let this stage distract you from the end goal. The reality of decluttering is that things are going to look worse before they get better. You’ll be digging up things that have been shoved into various corners over time, and it will get messy. This is why we advise small projects, especially in the beginning, because tackling too much in one day will just land you right back at step one. Besides, the accomplishment you feel from completing a small project is often the motivation you need to keep going.

4. ACHIEVEMENT

   • This is the golden stage that inspires us to keep up with an organized lifestyle. Even a single room or drawer can offer that amazing sense of achievement. Your items are right where you need them, and there is something so refreshing about an organized space. You’ll realize that the previous stage of overwhelm is temporary, with long-lasting results that offer peace.

Organization is a habit that must be built, slowly and confidently, with a lot of room for growth. Any organizing or decluttering project can feel daunting, but we can promise you, you’ll feel better for it. Your mind will be clear, and you’ll be ready to tackle every day with a fresh perspective. Organizing isn’t just about having a clean house; it’s about living a stress-free life.