I’ve been on a mission to clean up my office space. It’s not a new mission. It started back in 2009 (see here) and continued when we moved into our current home (see here). I had almost given up on the idea of EVER having an office that was neat, organized, and not a room where the door needed to be shut every time we had company. This is especially an issue for me, because I don’t work well when I’m surrounded by clutter and chaos. I can’t focus.
This year I realized something that has become a game changer for the messy office. I’ve always been an organized person at heart (some people even think my house is organized!). I breathe easier when everything is put away and orderly. However, we have allowed so much STUFF to creep into our home that organization has become impossible. Sure, I could run out and buy some cute patterned storage bins or some sturdy plastic tubs and stack them full of the things that need to be organized. But that doesn’t solve the deeper issue.
We have too much stuff.
Time for Change
I kept hearing good things about Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The reviews were all similar, saying that Marie’s methods were revolutionizing the way that people viewed their stuff. They also all mentioned her strange way of thanking things like her clothing for working so hard for her. While I don’t plan to praise my socks or applaud my sweaters any time soon, I’m learning a great deal about how to pare down what we own and organize what’s left.
The key idea is to only keep the things that truly bring you joy and to get rid of the rest.
Back to the Office
I’m not quite done reading the book, but I have found myself starting to implement the ideas in small doses. Emma and I started cleaning out her storage bins of art and craft supplies in the office closet. They were stuffed and overflowing (much like they were back in 2012). In the past, we would go through each bin and see if there was anything she wanted to get rid of. Then we would straighten what was left and try to fit it all neatly back into the bins.
This time, we emptied each bin, and I had her handle the items one at a time. I asked her to only keep the things she loved and that brought her joy. She got rid of a lot more than she ever had before! We were able to fit everything back in the bins, organized by category, with room to spare.
We discovered that the “room to spare” concept was key. Rather than hunting for something in a tight space (and wondering how in the world she would get it put back later), she was able to easily find what she was looking for. Being able to easily remove and replace items meant she was able to USE what was there.
For me, applying Kondo’s principles to the contents of the office has involved evaluating each item. Is it so useful that I can’t function with out? Do I love it? Does it make my work easier and therefore make me happy? Or does it drive me completely bonkers and make me want to throw it out the window every time I look at it? The questions make the decision process easier. Some things I’ve gotten rid of immediately, because they aren’t useful and I don’t love them. Some things I’ve kept, because I love them, use them regularly, and find them helpful for getting my office work done.
While Kondo would probably recommend that I immediately pitch the ENORMOUS MONSTROUS rather large color printer/copier/scanner (because I hate how it operates and how big it is… Did I mention that it’s rather large??), we need the functionality that it offers. I plan to look for a smaller wireless version and then celebrate the day that we can part with this one.
A Faster Process
My past organization attempts involved bins, plastic totes, and finding interesting little spaces where I could stash things I didn’t want to look at all the time. Sure, I would send a carload of boxes and bags to the local donation center and fill some trash bags with things to toss. But there was still SO MUCH left behind for me to organize.
The problem? I was trying to organize my clutter.
No wonder I was never successful!
This time, I’m seeing progress more quickly. There really IS carpet on the office floor! (Who knew??) There’s breathing room in the office closet. The catch-all table where the big printer lives is almost cleared off and ready to be moved out of the room (as soon as the printer is replaced). My desk has become useable space.
By keeping just what is incredibly useful and what sparks joy, I’m paring down the contents of the room. The things that are left truly belong in this room… and in our home.
My motivation has stayed high, because I’ve seen quick results. The office is more peaceful and more inviting. I’ve even been inspired to start some decorating! I’m not quite ready to show you office pictures today. But that will be coming soon. After I finish reading the book, I’ll be diving head-first into the full tidying process, starting with my clothes. I’m truly excited to finally get a handle on how to truly organize our home!
Have you been frustrated by your past organization attempts? Are you ready to consider the possibility that you may need to lose the storage containers in favor of a different strategy? If so, I highly recommend the you pick up a copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and join me!
