by Janelle Simmons, owner, The Organizing Company of Cache Valley
There are tons of ideas and how-tos on how to organize any space via the Internet. There are also many products you can buy that can help you get organized. These ideas and products are helpful, but I want to point out that there isn’t just “one way” or method or system that works for everyone. The way you organize a space or the method you use to keep it organized depends on several factors. Let’s take a look at some of them.
One of the biggest factors on how a space is organized is how many people are using it. If there are a lot of people using the space, then the setup needs to be really clear and easily understood. If the system is too complex or has too many steps, you are going to have a hard time keeping it organized. If you make changes to the way you are do something, you need to let everyone else know so they can adjust.
Another factor would be the age of those using the space. I bring this up because if you are reading this magazine, you most likely have children in your life. People with children will organize their homes differently than those who don’t. For instance, I don’t put my cleaning products down where little hands can get into them. So as you organize your space, keep in mind who you are working with.
One other aspect I want to bring up is what I like to call the reality factor. When we look at blogs, magazines, etc., we enjoy them because they are beautiful which is fine BUT we often compare our spaces to them and we don’t measure up. What we don’t get to see is reality. What is just beyond the picture? A big pile of dishes? A stressed out life? A whole team of people staging the space? If you were to come over to my house, it would not look like a magazine. To maintain a “picture-perfect” level would cause too much stress in my life and I want to spend my time doing other things. However, my space does function well and if it isn’t, I work on it.
Keep these factors in mind as you look at organizing ideas. Because you have made organizing a priority, just keep working through the difficulties you may be having with your system until you find what works for you and your family. If you are just starting to get your space organized, you can do it. Communicate with your family and work through the issues in a kind and loving way. Being organized is a process and has to be continually worked on.
