Home > Ask For Directions Blog > New Years Resolution
Start your new year off right with tips to a “clean” beginning.
I have two New Years Resolutions this year. Looking at my closet it is easy to see why I’ve chosen “To Be More Tidy” as one of them. I choose the word tidy because I need to work on more than just picking up after my self, but learning how to organize my house (and closets!) so that I will be able to keep it clean.
Unloading the dishwasher is also a big “tidy” problem area in my house. It has always been a chore I’ve struggled with. We all have that one chore that isn’t that hard to do but that we would rather sell our souls than do it on a regular basis. Loading it up is no problem, but for some reason putting clean plates in the cabinets seems like lifting a 40 pound anvil. Let’s hope I can get over that one in ’09.
My closet is nothing short of a hot mess. Shoes are everywhere, clothes are hung up in no order and most of them are hung up inside out! There is evidence of a few feeble attempts I had to organize the whole thing when I moved in. I bought some cute shelving to help organize and store my shoes, but looking at it this morning it seems it is only organizing the shoes I don’t wear anymore.
I thought about how many people must have this same problem (or at least I’m hoping.) So I came up with a few tricks and tips on organizing the messy areas of your home. Your messy areas might be the closet, the garage, the pantry…
1. Before you start, set up a reward for yourself or any of your family that helps you. Working towards a goal will help you see the task through. I am thinking a manicure for me. If it’s a family event, planning a special dinner or dinner outing is always a good idea too. You’ll be amazed at how hungry will equal clean closer and closer to your goal. The reward is not only a great motivating factor, but it’s also a great bonding experience.
2. Set up the supplies first. I hate cleaning the bathroom. I guess I don’t know anyone who likes it. One time my roommate got my yellow cleaning gloves dirty and threw them away. Although I was ready to have a Clorox date with my tile floors, there was no way I felt I could clean with out those gloves. By the time I had gone to the store and fought the traffic I wasn’t motivated to clean anymore. Look over all the stuff that you need to clean up and get prepared with any cleaning supplies or proper storage equipment that you might need the day before you start.
3. Sort into piles. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Attack your mess from all angles! (It’s not easy chore no matter where you start from!) I find it helpful to put all of my stuff into piles. I have a THROW pile a KEEP pile and a SELL pile. Be generous with your throw pile. This one is hard, but you obviously weren’t using it enough and it became a mess. One bad apple…. The best part about cleaning is the sell pile. A lot of stuff gets thrown away that is old or broken, but there is also a lot of stuff that people throw that is in great condition. Sell this stuff at a garage sale or post it online! Now, how is a little extra spending money for a reward!?
4. Enjoy your reward! Take a look at the difference you made. Before and after pics are always fun and can help you really visualize the difference you made! Now you can enjoy your extra space and your reward!
