Use the “EASY” Organizational Method When You Need Help Getting Started
It’s not always easy to know how to cope with cleaning , organizing and organizing your home. In fact, it’s difficult. But it should be simple – or rather SIMPLE. If you’re looking for a simple, no-nonsense method of decluttering, look no further than the SIMPLE method.
What is the SIMPLE method?
I learned this from Real Simple , where professional organizer Katie Jenkins laid out her simple steps for decluttering a space. The goal of following SIMPLE is to act quickly and decisively, rather than spending too much time thinking about the task at hand. There are six steps that make up the acronym:
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Sort like with like
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I determine what you want to keep
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Make a home for him
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Place into containers
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I mean everything
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E establish a routine
There are some similarities here with other methods, especially the Organizational Triangle , which requires placing items with similar items and ensuring they all have a specific location; and Peter Walsh’s method , which asks you to create piles for what you’ll keep and what you’ll get rid of. While many other methods, such as Core 4 , also require storing your items in designated containers, SIMPLE is unique for two reasons: First, labeling is key here. Having a bunch of storage containers is of no use if you don’t know what’s in them and you don’t have a system for managing them, so even using simple labels like these custom chalkboard-style labels will be helpful, especially if you’re not a natural organized person. This leads to the second reason SIMPLE is new and useful: the last step is to establish a daily routine. Decluttering is a huge first step, but it’s just a first step. If you don’t stay organized, you risk accumulating more clutter and eventually having to clean it up all over again. Establishing a routine—like doing the first five steps every month or so—will help you stay clutter-free and keep your home organized until it becomes second nature.
To get the full potential of this method, don’t do everything at once. Instead, choose a small area of your home to do every day. For example, try a bedroom one day and a bathroom the next, or break it up into sections by taking on just one closet, countertop, or shelf at a time.
Why SIMPLY works
This method is a winner because it gives you clear instructions, addresses the underlying issues, and doesn’t leave much room for thought. Of course, you decide what to keep and throw away, but you do so knowing that you can only keep what will fit in the storage boxes you line up. Some methods leave a lot of room for sentimentality or a slow process, but this method requires determination and action. If you’re having trouble getting motivated to clean or deciding what to do, try this.