Last week I had the pleasure of giving a talk about Organizing and Decluttering your home.

The event was held at Milton Community Resource Centre (MCRC) which is a Not–for-profit, multi-service organization that provides services to children and families of Milton and the surrounding communities http://www.mcrc.on.ca/

I was surprised at how many of the parents had the same three issues:

Toys (how and where to store them, and eliminate some )

Clothes (having way too many and lots of laundry)

Space (for extra storage in bedrooms and kitchens, basement and garage)

Another problem was their attachment to stuff and their reluctance to let it go. There was an excuse for a lot of my suggestions, and at times I was forced to ask the question: Why do you want to keep it all? If you didn’t feel there was a problem you wouldn’t be here telling me about it. I told them that acknowledging that you need help is the first major step, and that I was here to help , by motivating and encouraging them and give them lots of tips and ideas to help them SAVE their space.

I recently came up with an acronym that I that could use to implement the process of getting

Organized it is S.A.V.E ™ a simple process to getting started.

SELECT

Think of your home as a reflection of yourself. What does your home tell others about you?

Where there is clutter there is confusion, not only in the home but in your life.

Clutter is a temporary state for some. For others it’s a way of life.

Select an area that will have the most impact, start in a small space the Hallway, a Linen Closet the Pantry.

ASSIGN

Now that you have “Selected the Space” Pick a Date and a Time to get started.

Make an appointment with yourself, two hours is a good start. Enlisting the help of friends or the family makes it a fun project and have a reward at the end, (out for lunch, movies)

Be disciplined and keep the appointment!

VISUALIZE

When you have a Vision for a space or know what its function is going to be that is half the battle. Ask yourself questions, how did it get like this? What changes do I want to see? What is the Function for the space? Write down your Ideas so that you will stay focused on your goal

Discipline is required because organization is a process. It is not something you can do just once and be done, it has a domino effect and you will find yourself organizing other areas as there will be a need for a home for items that you know you will keep and use.

ELIMINATE

Toss it? Keep it? Donate it?

When was the last time it was used?

Does it have sentimental value?

Do I love it?

What would happen if I threw it away?

Could I get another one? If I keep it where should it go?

Asking yourself these questions and be honest and start Saving your Space