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Tips and Tricks

to make life easier- find what works for you!

Core Mindset Shifts (where organizing actually starts)​

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  • Organizing is about removing first, not arranging better

  • You don’t need better containers—you need fewer things

  • Aim for functional, not perfect

  • Your space should support your real life, not an ideal version of you

  • “Later” is usually a decision you’re avoiding

  • If everything is important, nothing is important

  • You’re not organizing items—you’re organizing decisions

Decluttering Rules

The Minimalists’ Rules

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  • 90/90 Rule: Haven’t used it in 90 days and won’t use it in the next 90 → let it go

  • 20/20 Rule: If you can replace it for under $20 in under 20 minutes → you don’t need to keep it

  • One In, One Out Rule: Every new item replaces something old

  • Packing Party: Box everything like you’re moving; only take items out as you use them

  • Just in Case Rule: “Just in case” is usually clutter in disguise

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Additional Decluttering Principles

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  • Remove duplicates (you rarely need more than 2–3 of anything)

  • Keep the best version of each item

  • If you wouldn’t buy it again → don’t keep it

  • If it doesn’t fit your current life → let it go

  • Separate guilt from usefulness (gifts, expensive items, “shoulds”)

  • Declutter by category, not location when possible

  • Don’t organize things you haven’t decided to keep yet

Practical Decluttering Steps

  • Start small: one drawer, one shelf, one category

  • Use 4 categories: Keep / Donate / Trash / Relocate

  • Make fast decisions—avoid “maybe” piles

  • Set a timer (15–30 minutes)

  • Finish the cycle: take donations out immediately

  • Don’t pull everything out unless you have time to finish

  • Handle each item once

  • If overwhelmed: just remove obvious trash first

Smart Organizing Systems (after decluttering)

  • Store items where you use them, not where they “should” go

  • Group by function, not just type

  • Use zones (coffee station, homework zone, drop zone)

  • Make things visible or you’ll forget them

  • Use clear bins or labels (not both excessively)

  • Give everything a home

  • Use vertical space (shelves, hooks, risers)

  • Keep frequently used items at eye level

  • Store backups elsewhere—not in prime space

High-Impact Tricks (small changes, big results)

  • Turn hangers backward; flip after wearing—see what you actually use

  • Put a donation bag in your closet year-round

  • Keep a “clutter basket” to quickly reset a room

  • Use lazy Susans for hard-to-reach spaces

  • Use drawer dividers instead of deep bins

  • Decant only what you actually use regularly

  • Store lids vertically (cutting boards, pans, containers)

  • Use matching containers to reduce visual clutter

  • Use tension rods under sinks for spray bottles

  • Use file folding for clothes so you can see everything

  • Keep surfaces about 70–80% empty

Things People Don’t Think About

  • You don’t need to keep instruction manuals (most are online)

  • Keep fewer sentimental items—but display them

  • Old cords: if you don’t know what they go to → let them go

  • Keep only the current version of documents

  • Extra packaging is almost always unnecessary

  • You don’t need full “sets” (dishes, towels, etc.)

  • You can throw away broken or “to fix someday” items

  • You don’t need to organize storage spaces no one uses

  • Photos don’t need to be perfectly sorted to be meaningful

Maintenance Habits (this is what keeps it organized)

  • Reset your space for 5–10 minutes daily

  • Put things away immediately instead of later

  • Do a weekly “catch-all” reset

  • Keep a running donation box

  • Revisit problem areas monthly

  • If something keeps getting messy → the system is wrong, not you

  • Simplify further instead of adding more containers

Room-Specific Tips

Kitchen

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  • Store by workflow (prep → cook → serve)

  • Keep counters mostly clear

  • Limit utensils to what fits comfortably

  • Use drawer organizers for small tools

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Closet

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  • Organize by category, then color (optional)

  • Keep only clothes that fit now

  • Store off-season items separately

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Bathroom

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  • Limit products to what you actually use

  • Use small bins inside drawers

  • Toss expired items regularly

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Paper

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  • Go digital when possible

  • Use 3 categories: To Do / To File / To Recycle

  • Don’t keep paper “just in case”

Psychological Tricks (these matter more than bins)

  • Lower the bar: done is better than perfect

  • Momentum matters more than motivation

  • Progress over perfection

  • You’re allowed to change your mind later

  • Decluttering is a skill—it gets easier with practice

  • Visual clutter = mental clutter

  • You don’t have to do it all at once

Advanced / Pro-Level Ideas

  • Create a home inventory (simple list or photos)

  • Use the container concept: space defines how much you keep

  • Set “space limits” for categories (one bin, one drawer, etc.)

  • Digitize photos and papers to reduce volume

  • Rotate items seasonally instead of storing everything out

  • Use a “quarantine box” for items you’re unsure about

  • Track what you actually use for 30 days

  • Design your space around your daily routines

Simple Rules to Remember

  • If it’s not useful, meaningful, or used → let it go

  • If it doesn’t have a home → it becomes clutter

  • If it’s hard to put away → you won’t maintain it

  • The less you own, the easier everything becomes

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