Getting Your House Back In Order

Do you ever feel like you are losing control of your house? Sounds kind of odd, doesn’t it? Well, probably for some it doesn’t – you know exactly what I am talking about. You are losing control of what is coming in and out of your house. You are losing control of the clutter. You are losing control of the mess. You are maybe just losing it too!

A hard, yet rewarding task in life is keeping your house in order. For some, that thought is a foreign concept. By saying “in order” means that it was in order at one time! If you have never had your house in order or are looking to get it back in order, here are a few tips on how to do just that.

1. Recognize the need for change. The first step to getting your house back in order? Admitting that it needs to get in order! It is just like any other resolution you set for yourself (like losing weight). It takes discipline. It takes commitment. Recognize that you need to make a few changes so that your house CAN be in order!

2.  It takes time. Don’t expect to get your house back in order overnight, if it is out of control. Be real. It probably took days, months, or even years to get out of order; expect for it to take awhile to get it back IN order. Break the challenge down into smaller tasks.

3. Don’t spend money (yet). Don’t rush to the store to buy containers that you will not end up needing because you are going to get rid of things in the process!

4. Get rid of things! Don’t be timid about getting rid of your stuff. An idea: put all the things you question whether you should get rid of, put it in a box, and if you don’t use it in the next year, get rid of it. Sort, recycle, donate, and go through EVERYTHING that is out of place. Don’t make excuses for yourself like “I’ll use it someday.” Just get rid of things!

5. Put everything back where it belongs. It’s as simple as that!

6. Delegate! If you have a family, hash out the duties! Do not feel you have to do it alone. Gather up your family/team and keep your house in order TOGETHER. It takes discipline, but you will not only have an organized home, but you are teaching your children valuable character qualities in the process.

7. Make it a daily habit to organize. Just like you schedule work into your routine, extra curricular activities, and other activities, schedule in regular cleaning/pick-up times.

Remember that getting your house back in order takes time. Be patient. Be willing. Be disciplined. And remember…

HAVE FUN!