Being Organized Saves Time, Money, Relationships, and More
Fed up with feeling overwhelmed and just want to make your space work for you? With “a place for everything and everything in its place”, organizing can give you a calm space where you can chillax and connect with the people you love. But it also gives you so much more…
Room to live
When you organize, you create space to live the life you want for you and your family. The spaces in your home become more functional, and you’re able to find things when you need them.
Imagine having uncluttered counters to make dinner or not having to constantly search for the TV remote. And if you’re like a quarter of Americans who can’t fit your car in your garage, imagine being able to pull that baby in to where it belongs!
Time saver
With everything in its place, no more daily hunts for your wallet and keys before you head out the door. That saves you time and energy for more worthwhile pursuits. How much time? According to the 2017 Lost & Found Survey by Pixie, Americans spend 2.5 days a year looking for misplaced items. That’s greater than 190 days over the course of the average lifespan!
What’s more, the National Soap and Detergent Association says that decluttering and organizing cuts 40% of housework in the average home. Less cleaning?! Sign me up!
Show me the money!
(Famous line in Jerry McGuire)
Getting organized can save you a buck or two. American women have an average of $550 worth of unworn clothes in their closets, according to a 10 Yetis study. So much buried treasure in our closets, yet the Pixie Lost & Found Survey revealed we collectively spend $2.7 billion replacing items each year. No more buying stuff you already own when you know what you have and where it is.
More ways you save money:
Eliminate late fees by keeping up with deadlines
Locate receipts for returns and warranties
Deposit checks before they expire
Use gift cards and coupons that were buried in the junk drawer
Eat out less because meal planning and prep is easier
Get rid of storage unit fees
Prevent the need to upsize to a bigger, more expensive home
Pay less medical bills with less stress (see below)
Happier + healthier
Clutter has been shown to cause people stress, but when you don’t have to remember where things are, you eliminate an element of chaos and uncertainty in your life, relieving stress and anxiety. This is because there is comfort in predictability and your newfound sense of control. What’s more, clearing your mind creates space for other things, like curiosity and creativity.
Less stress leads to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, which means better health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 80% of medical expenses are related to stress.
Getting organized also helps you eat healthier and get active. A top strategy for building healthy habits is to make doing them as easy as possible. Along with creating extra time, organization helps you create a space that supports the goals in your life, including eating healthy and staying active. Easily accessible equipment, uncluttered workspaces, and systems for planning ahead all help keep you on track.
Stronger relationships
Organization creates the space, and the time, to do fun things together with your family or roommates. And once you don’t have that mess to be irritated and stressed about, you’ll be nicer to each other, especially if you’re the one upset by the mess. If your clutter is causing the friction, getting organized can be an act of love or respect towards the people you live with.
Once you have a home you’re proud of, you can also invite your friends and family over for regular get-togethers. Or have a party to make new friends. Added bonus… a kick in the butt to tidy up.
Become a rock star
Being organized seeps into all aspects of your life and makes you more productive and better at getting things done. Gone are the days of missed events and late arrivals (or at least a lot less). For instance, an IKEA study found that women with shoe racks are 7 times more likely to be on time for work. And that’s just a shoe rack. Imagine what a fully organized home can do!
Seeing how organization and productivity improves your life teaches your kids valuable skills and encourages your partner or roommates to jump on board the organizing train. Destination? A boost of self-confidence!
Caution for people with addictive tendencies
I am not a medical expert. Consult your psychiatrist or therapist for advice specific to your situation.
If you have the tendency to go down a spiral by things like “don’t break the chain” or get overly invested when trying new habits, exercise caution when organizing. It can become obsessive if you’re not careful. Don’t aim for perfection, focus on what’s realistic (this goes for everyone actually).
If you fall into this category, including if you have been diagnosed with OCD/OCPD or hoarding disorder, consult your therapist before starting your organizing project and consider hiring a professional organizer trained in obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Organizing can exacerbate your symptoms.
Whether you’re jumping in feet first or taking it each small project at a time, there’s no time like the present to get started on your organizing transformation. So, check out my free step-by-step organizing how-to page and know that I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Consider me your organizing coach.
