Simple Organizing with Melissa Michaels

Getting organized and staying organized can be an overwhelming challenge. The beginning of the year can be a great time to look at your home and get organized. For some it might be part of a New Year’s Resolution and for others it might be the start of the New Year that gives them inspiration to have a fresh start and perspective on their home.  Melissa Michaels is the creator of the award winning blog www.TheInspiredRoom.net,and recently wrote Simple Organizing.

The book inspires readers to streamline their life and establish order in every room. There are over 300 helpful ideas from dealing with clutter to creating a functional home.

 

Michaels shares her thoughts on organization.

 

“Organization isn’t just about setting up a storage system. It’s about designing a home that truly reflects your family. By using pieces that are pleasing to your family, you will actually enjoy maintaining your space.”

 

Here are some of the highlights that Michaels shares in the book.

• Kitchen & Dining Room:  Create more space in your kitchen. Transform space under the kitchen sink. Food storage and organization. Set up your dining area.
• Master Bedroom: Whip your wardrobe into shape. Declutter your closet and nightstand. Maximize closet and drawer space.

 

• Bathrooms: Transform the towel and toiletry supplies. Pare down beauty products. Set up a wellness station. Organize your laundry room.

 

• Kids Rooms: Help kids establish orderly habits. Arrange play area. Control the clothing situation.

 

• Home Office & Creative Spaces: Rotate seasonal items. Find a home for creative supplies. Pare down on the paper clutter.

 

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:28-34

 

 

 

Risen Reflections

Start small. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to do your entire living space in one day. Instead, pick out one area or room and start with that. When you feel like you have gotten that organized, start with the next space. If you have family members, delegate projects and tasks to them to help you with the overall project. Have everyone own an area or a specific task. This can help everyone take ownership and often the project goes along more quickly. Use the beginning of the year or the start of a new month as motivation to get your project started. Don’t get discouraged. If you fall behind on your project, miss a date or things take longer than expected, give yourself grace.

 

 

Set goals. Take a step back and write down your goals for organizing your living space. Create benchmarks that will help you celebrate your accomplishments. Reward yourself as you hit your goals. It could be buying a rug once you organize the living room or treating yourself to a coffee after you declutter the closet. It can even be helpful to set goals for how many bags or items that you want to give away or sell as you organize. If you are having difficulty parting with items as you get organized, ask yourself these questions. When was the last time you used that item? Is there someone else that could use this or enjoy this item more? Could I sell this item and get something else that our family needs more or help someone else with the funds?

 

Share your progress. Find a friend or family member that you can share your progress with. Hold each other accountable to the organization projects you have committed to. Send each other updates and challenges. It can even be fun to share your organization journey on social media with before, during and after pictures.

 

To be a part of Michaels’ four-week organization challenge, click here: https://go.harvesthousepublishers.com/simpleorganizing