Organizing is a process. This article will touch on the 4 steps, but I really want to focus on Step 2, the “Sort & Purge.” Not only is it a great way to clean up a space, but by doing the labor yourself as “homework,” it’s a great way to stretch your budget if you decide to hire an organizer to consult with you on more heavy hitting topics.

1. Identify your goals. Do you need more storage space? Does a room need to serve multiple purposes? Do you want to get rid of stuff?
2. “Sort & Purge.” This is the process where you’ll make decisions on items in a space as to whether they support your goals or detract from them.
3. Organize. Organizing requires some soul searching to realistically identify which systems work for you and which ones don’t, then putting in place the most effective ones.
4. Adapt, Evolve, & Maintain. Practice makes perfect in this phase. Staying organized means adapting to your new systems, evolving them as needed, and maintaining them on a regularly scheduled basis.

So here’s a list of supplies you’ll need to accomplish the Sort & Purge, and exactly how to get it done:

1. Set up your supplies before you get started. You’ll need:
   • Boxes: pick up 10-20 empty boxes from the liquor store to contain the items you’re sorting. (They’re free, already put together, and a perfect size to fill up and still be light enough to carry and small enough to store!)
   • Packing tape: to seal the donation boxes
   • Sharpie: to label the boxes. (TIP: The boxes can sometimes have a slick coating on them which makes it hard to write on, so if you have mailing labels or painter’s tape to write on first then stick on the boxes, it’s easier.)
   • Trash bags: to use for real trash, for clothing to giveaway.
2. Create “zones” with the following categories, either in the room in which you’re working, or an adjacent room or hallway. Then label several empty boxes and place in each zone to contain your items as your sort. This will keep the piles organized and the room decluttered while you work. Start with these categories:
   • DONATE
   • SELL
   • OTHER ROOM (for things that you’re keeping but don’t belong in this room)
   • FAMILY MEMBERS (create a box for each person in your family for their things)
   • MEMORIBILIA
   • PAPERS
   • SHRED
   • Then create boxes specific to what the room will be used for, like CRAFTS, BABY STUFF, OFFICE SUPPLIES, ELECTRONICS, UTENSILS, TOILETRIES, etc.
3. Start in the corner closest to the door and work your way clockwise around the room putting items in their appropriate zone/box, or in the trash. If you’re not sure what to keep or get rid of, refer to this list of questions. This process will take a few hours, and if you get tired or overwhelmed, allow yourself to take breaks and come back to it later.

4. Clean up when you’re done sorting and purging and take action on your piles.
   • Tape “DONATE” boxes closed and move them out of the room and place near an entry/exit door or into your car to be dropped off to charity.
   • Move “SELL” boxes out to your car if you have to drop them off somewhere, or leave set them near your computer if you need to take pictures and sell them online.
   • Put trash in outside garbage cans.
   • Carry “OTHER ROOM” boxes around the house and put the items in the rooms where they belong.
   • Shred the papers in the shred box.

The goal is to have the floor and all surfaces clear, and only leave the “keep” items that will stay in that room and suit your goals for that room.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have a cleared out space that’s on its way to being organized (and probably a tax deduction for charitable donations!)

Posted in Clutter Control, Home Organization by Kara Russelo / September 10th, 2009 / 9 Comments »