Organization and tidiness have never been my friends. NEVER! Can anyone else relate?

I don’t know what it is! I have struggled almost my entire life to keep my room in order.

For some reason, things always end up finding a home everywhere except for where they actually belong. The struggle is real, my friends!

I believe some people have an innate skill when it comes to organization and tidying up. A perfect example is my husband!

He can clean the kitchen and have it sparkling in no time and can organize a messy space like no one I have ever met.

The good news is that even if organizing and keeping things tidy is not a natural skill, there are things you can do to keep your space clean and organized without making it feel like a huge task.

The key is to make tidying up a daily habit, so you don’t find yourself under a pile of clothes or a stack of papers!

TROUBLE CONCENTRATING?

Not only can clutter and a messy space cause stress or a feeling of overwhelm. But, it can also cause a feeling of distraction.

Clutter can affect the brain and hinder productivity according to a study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute.

When you are in a messy space, you can be easily distracted because your brain is being presented with too many stimuli.

In my own personal experience, when my space is a mess, it’s all I can think about.

It not only fills my space but fills my mind, which causes stress because it’s all I can think about!

Getting into a habit of keeping a tidy space can help with not only productivity but stress as well.

If you have been struggling with keeping a tidy space just like me, don’t worry! There are easy things you can do to start building habits which will slowly but surely move you towards a clutter-free life.

10 STEPS TO DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE & YOUR MIND

Ready to make some changes and form some new habits?

Commit to doing a few of these things over the next month, and I promise you will see a shift!

1. MAKE YOUR BED

This one simple thing can set the tone for your entire day. Not only is a made bed a wonderful sight to see, but it’s a small task that will start your day off feeling accomplished.

2. DON’T WAIT, DO IT NOW

It can be really easy to leave dirty dishes in the sink, let unfiled paper stacks fill your desk, and watch the laundry pile get higher and higher.

The reality is that you are going to have to address these things at some point, so why not just do it now?

I tell myself more times than I can count in a day, “DO IT NOW!”

These three simple words have been life-changing for me. Try using them yourself!

3. PUT IT AWAY

This one sounds so simple, but it’s easy to let things sit on the counter or to throw your clothes into a pile versus hanging them up when you are finished wearing them.

Before you know it, you have a huge, overwhelming mess to clean up which will take much longer to clean then if you would have just put it back in its spot when you were finished using it.

Remember that you’re an adult, and adults put things in their rightful place. (Gotta appreciate the tough love!)

4. MAKE IT A HABIT

Consciously make an effort to do the activities each day that will lead to a clean and tidy home.

Hang clothes up at the end of the day, put shoes where they belong, and pick up each and every toy instead of letting them lay on the floor.

5. SCHEDULE IT

For bigger organizational tasks like cleaning out closets, cabinets, the attic or the garage, schedule the time on your calendar.

These jobs take more grit and mental energy, not to mention dedicated time, so plan accordingly to ensure you are successful.

6. IF YOU DON’T LOVE IT, USE IT, OR WEAR IT…LET IT GO!

It’s so easy to hang on to things forever!

Sometimes you have an emotional attachment, which makes it hard to let it go, and other times it’s because you feel guilty to get rid of things you have spent your money on.

There are so many reasons you hang onto things that no longer serve us.

While it can be challenging to let go of certain material things, remember that they are just that… things.

They really don’t bring happiness to our lives the way society has taught us.

7. MAKE THOUGHTFUL PURCHASES

I originally went to school for fashion, and trust me when I say that passing up an amazing sale used to be so hard for me. (The struggle is real!)

I would convince myself I needed something just because it was a “good deal”.

Over time I ended up buying a ton of items that I really didn’t even love or end up using!

Online shopping has made it way too easy to mindlessly purchase products with the click of a button. (I’m looking at you Amazon!)

If you find something you love and want to purchase it, think about it for a few days before you buy it. If it’s still on your mind after the period of time, go ahead and treat yourself! If it’s not, let it go!

8. A LITTLE AT A TIME

Tidying your home and clearing clutter can be overwhelming! It’s absolutely necessary that you take baby steps!

Start with one room or space at a time and slowly work your way through the entire house. You just might be surprised at how quickly you actually get all your to-dos done!

9. NO NEED TO GO IT ALONE

If organizing is difficult for you, consider hiring a professional to help you get your space in tip-top shape.

There are so many resources these days and people available to help you reach your tidying up goals that you really shouldn’t have to worry about going it alone.

Check out Marie Kondo’s life-changing book for some tips and tricks for becoming a tidy person!

10. GIVE WITH GRATITUDE

Donating your gently used belongings to those in need is a great way to give back to your community and boost your happiness!

When I donate something, I like to send it off with love. Remember that everything is simply energy, so send good energy to the things that once served you and the energy surrounding you will be much lighter!

CLEAN IT UP

So, there you have it! When you declutter your space, you just might find (actually you WILL find) that you have more room for joy, creativity, and less room for stress and overwhelm!

You’ll probably even notice that you have a new idea for a business project, or that making a decision is easier!

Try it out and tell us in the comments below what you experienced after tidying up your space!

Are you looking for some ideas on how to organize your business? Head here to read about organizing your schedule for your business like a pro!

For more on Katie, head here!