Have you ever organized a closet or drawer only to have it devolve into chaos yet AGAIN? Meeeeee too! Despite how you may feel, this doesn’t automatically count as a decluttering fail.
In this week’s video I’m taking you along for a day in my life as I try to get it all done: whole-house cleaning, re-decluttering a few of my decluttering fails, trick or treating, and a full house tour! Watch the video below (and subscribe!):
I use the acronym S.P.A.C.E. for organizing: Sort, Purge, Assign, Contain, Evaluate. That last step is so important! Sometimes a space just isn’t working for us even after organizing it.
Three Reasons You Need to Re-Declutter
Decluttering Fail #1
First, it could be that we missed an earlier step. Maybe we didn’t sort everything in the space first. Or like I show you in the video – I skipped the “containing” step in the mudroom closet. Turns out, my family still hasn’t learned to read my mind, so no one else could tell where things were supposed to go! With containers and labels, the problem has been solved.
Decluttering Fail #2
Secondly, maybe we didn’t complete a step to the degree we need to. Purging, for example. Maybe we can’t keep a drawer organized because we really have too much stuff crammed in there. It’s nearly impossible to keep drawers, cabinets, and rooms in order that are full of stuff you don’t use or need, because you have to constantly dig through everything to find what you’re looking for.
Decluttering Fail #3
Thirdly, we might need to evaluate our goals for that space. Maybe our ideal for the space just doesn’t fit how we use it in our real life, and maybe we’re asking too much of ourselves or our family to try to change the way it’s used. Maybe we’re making it too complicated and we need to simplify.
All systems take regular maintenance, so I don’t really consider that a decluttering fail! In this video I’m reworking our mudroom by adding containers and labels, doing some maintenance decluttering of the kids’ clothes, and taking on a massive decluttering and organizing project in our laundry room.
If you’re struggling with a particular space on a regular basis, it could be worth it to hire a professional organizer. We can come into a space, ask questions, evaluate how you’re using it, and help you create a system that works for you. If you’re interested in working with me, contact me here! I’d love to help you with your project!
