This morning, as I was searching for a pair of socks to wear to work, this blog idea came to mind. I couldn’t help but notice how unorganized my sock drawer is, and the frustration set in as I thought about all the missing socks. Seriously, where do they go??
The start of a new year is a great time to reset and get organized. If you’re already a naturally organized person, I admire you! For the rest of us, like me, I think the key is to start small to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Maybe begin with something simple, like tidying up a single drawer (my sock drawer!) or organizing a kitchen cabinet (note to self: go through my spice cabinet soon!). Each small step adds up and can give you the motivation to keep going — any small action makes a big difference.
If you’d like to share some tips on how you stay organized, I would love to hear them! Please share your tips in the comment section below.
Take a look back
An idea I came across from clutterkeeper.com was to take a look back at last year and what worked and didn’t work for you. Here are some suggestions to guide you.
Schedules – What was your/your family’s schedule like? Was it easy to manage? Were you able to keep track of it all?
Organization systems – Look around your home, does everything have a home? Are the organization systems you use still working for you?
Identify your pain points – What are the biggest areas you struggle with when it comes to organizing your home? This will become your to-do list. Write all of them down.
Tackle one task at a time – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look around your home. You only have so many hours in a day! By spreading out various tasks over the year, you can make the process more manageable.
Know your limits – There are storage limits, money limits, and even time and emotional limits to staying organized. Set those first before you start.
Practical solutions
While you’re going though the organization process, ask yourself these key questions:
Does this item add value to my life?
Do I love it or use it often?
Would I buy it again today?
Let’s take a look at some practical tips to get you started on your journey to be more organized.
Start small – Focus on one area at a time, like a drawer, a shelf, a cabinet, or one area of a room. Set a timer for 15–30 minutes to keep the task manageable.
Use the “Three-Box Method” – Label three boxes: Keep, Donate/Sell, and Trash. Sort items into these boxes as you go through your spaces.
Apply the “One-Year Rule” – If you haven’t used or worn an item in the past year (or more), it may be time to let it go.
Adopt the “One In, One Out Rule” – For every new item you bring into your space, remove one item to maintain balance.
Declutter by category – Instead of tackling a whole room, declutter by item type (e.g., clothes, shoes, books, kitchen items, etc.).
Create zones – Assign specific zones for different purposes and ensure items in those areas align with their function.
Digitize when possible – Scan documents, photos, or notes that you want to keep but don’t need in a physical form.
Celebrate your progress – Acknowledge your progress along the way, each small step gets you closer to a clutter-free space!
For NCP Panel Members:
If one of your goals for the new year is to be more organized and you purchase any new items to help you along the way, please remember to scan them! Thanks!
Cheers to an organized year ahead – you got this!
Regards,
Taylor
More From NCP
Blog comment reminder: If you have a panel-related issue that you need assistance with such as a problem with scanning or your rewards, please contact our Panel Support Center directly and they will be happy to assist you! You can reach them at 1-800-962-6700 or email them at [email protected]. You can send a message from NCP’s Facebook page. Please don’t enter panel-related issues or share any personal panel membership information in the blog comment section. Any issues will be addressed faster if you contact our support center directly. Thank you so much!
Recent Comments