by Johnna Masterson, Central Park Resident and Owner of Inspired and Organized
As published in Connections January 2019
The holidays can leave us feeling depleted and overwhelmed. But then January pops up and gives us the chance to start fresh once again. I always find that it comes with a renewed sense of hope and inspiration! In addition to my monthly tips, for 2019 I am starting a decluttering challenge. It will give you a way to make even more progress toward an organized home each month. And by the end of the year, you can look back and see how far you’ve come, and how your life has become simpler and more peaceful!
Most people make resolutions at the start of the year, and self-improvement usually holds a top spot. By getting organized, you automatically give yourself, and those around you, a higher quality of life. It truly is a form of self-care. You will have lower stress and more time to spend on the things that matter to you. With systems in place, you won’t waste time searching for things, and cleanup will be a breeze. Getting ready for work or school won’t be a chore and making meals will become less stressful. Chaotic mornings will be a thing of the past.
And besides, January is National Get Organized Month. What a great way to kick off our project! Most people want to live a more organized life and think about it quite frequently, usually it’s when we are rushing around looking for a misplaced object, or when faced with a messy closet, pantry or garage. That’s not the best time to make a plan.
Your first challenge will be to set aside time to sit down and think about what you want your plan to look like. What are your goals? What spaces give you the most grief? How much time do you have to dedicate to your projects? If you don’t have the time, are you in the position to hire a professional? And what opinions do your family have about you plan?
Next, set a priority list. And even if you feel like your garage would be your first choice, I want you to think about the spaces you frequently use and the areas that cause you the most frustration. Let’s knock those off the list first! After you have written your list and edited it based on priority, finances and family input, type it up and place it front and center on your refrigerator or bulletin board. It is going to be your guide to supplement my articles for the year.
I can’t wait to see all we can accomplish this year! If you are taking the Declutter Challenge, watch for my poll on the unofficial Facebook group. This month I will ask what you chose as priority #1 in your challenge. I’d like to see if households in this community differ widely in this choice, or not!
January is Get Organized Month!
Declutter Challenge! This month Johnna asked YOU in social media: How is the Declutter Challenge working for you? What did you choose as 1st priority and why? Here are the results of that poll:
TOTAL VOTES: 113
1st place: Garage (60 votes)
2nd place: Kitchen/Pantry (19 votes)
3rd place: Playroom (9 votes)
Runners up:
Office (7 votes)
Bedrooms (6 votes)
Living/Family Room (5 votes)
Bathrooms (2 votes)
Entry way/Mud rooms (2 votes)
Laundry Room (1 vote)
Closets (1 vote)
Other (1 vote)
