Don’t you love early January? It’s like a first pregnancy. You know, when you can say things like s/he will never try to bite the dog/talk back to me/have an epic full-fledged meltdown in the middle of the Target check out line. It’s a blissful period before real life sets in when all your goals are most likely still going strong. At least, that’s how it’s working for me so far.
I remember taking on the organization challenge last year and though it was invigorating to see the results, trudging through it all was pretty tiring. However, the end results left me feeling ecstatic and I swore I’d never let the house get that disorganized again. Then I had a newborn and a toddler and I felt all my hard work was slowly unraveling.
Because of this, I was ready to take the bull by the horns and organize the fool out of our house again, and so I have. I’ve been checking off challenge after challenge and discovered something incredible… it’s SO much easier this year.
Sure, the challenge eases you in with a simple task like a purse clean-out.
Cue self-congratulatory high five.
But it doesn’t take long to get to more significant goals, like the closets.
I was impressed with how quickly the closets cleaned up- they were more messy than disorganized- but I chalked that up to David getting in there and working on it too.
Still, once I arrived in the kitchen, again, I found things were pretty manageable.
After thinking it through, it dawned on me that all my hard work last year really stuck around more than I thought. I was more conscious of putting things back where they belong and moving all the unnecessary items out of the house and onto Goodwill.
Even the fridge only required about 5 minutes of tossing old items and the subsequent scrubbing of all the drawers and shelves went much more quickly than last year.
The freezer was the worst offender yet, but that is only because of a homemade popsicle that went rogue during late summer.
The satisfaction that came from cleaning that mess made me wonder why I didn’t tackle it months ago (but I blame the aforementioned newborn and toddler).
Taadaaaa!
So maybe it’s just that beginning of the year buzz that has yet to wear off, but I’m becoming a believer in maintenance. Laundry is easier to tackle by doing a load every day, rather than letting it build up. Fitness endurance is easier to keep up rather than starting from scratch (trust me, I’m battling this currently). And keeping an organized home gets easier after tackling the first big kahuna. An object in motion, right?
I’m excited to be flying through these challenges and seeing my home transform back into the structured atmosphere that I thrive in.
Do you thrive on organization or chaos?
What secrets do you have for keeping an organized home?
I’m learning that having a spot for everything and putting it back in its place really helps. Along with getting the junk OUT of the house.
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
I did one of these in February after seeing yours in January and I loved the results! I definitely need to try it again. I do agree with you, though, that I’ve been better about putting things where they go. I know the fridge and freezer need scrubbed, but I’ve been good with throwing food out. Of course, there’s always something to clean and organize! I love that feeling!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
If I can ever get a system (<- a logical place for everything) going for a spot, it tends to stay organized. Tidying up those spots is usually a snap.
It's the places where there is no rhyme or reason that is a problem.
Oh, and junk accumulation. It's a problem! Junk mail, toddler toys, paperwork and food storage containers all seem to cause me problems. Oh and clothes that need to be thrown out.
Sherry says
You sure dress cute to clean out the freezer. We are in the process of eating all we can from the deep freezer so that I can defrost it–should be ready next week. Also on New Years Day, we cleaned out a lot of stuff that wasn’t being used (stored in the basement–just in case needed:)) and took it to a recycle center. The center has a swap place where you can leave paraphernalia that other people may want. I’m sure we could make another trip there—but first we will take the kids stuff to them (yes, that means you:))
Brittany Dixon says
Don’t bring the kid junk to my house! Just keep holding onto it all for me, won’tcha mom? 😉 xoxo
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
My husband is VERY OCD, and I’m slightly so our house typically stays fairly organized. However, I could use a couple clean out days and take some things to good will!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve heard of these mythical creatures they call tidy/organized husbands, but am having a tough time believing that they truly do exist 😉
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
I am so anal retentive I’m obsessively organized at all times! It helps me control my anxiety lol (it actually probably makes it worse but that’s how I justify it!)
alex says
I THRIVE on organization but i don’t have it….calls for a lot of stressful days
Bry says
I love to be organized and believe that everything should have a home. Little trays in drawers are a lifesaver!
Kathy says
Organization. A life struggle for me but reading posts like this help. My goal is to to tackle an area at a time and not think I have to do the entire house all at once. One day at a time when time permits perhaps. 🙂
Kourtney says
A couple of years ago, I started writing the date on everything I opened with a sharpie. Leftovers, condiments, snacks. It’s easier to clean out the fridge on trash day when I know exactly how long something has been in there.
Brittany Dixon says
That is such a smart idea!! And so funny that a friend of mine happens to have had the same thought and is launching a product that helps accomplish the same idea. Great minds think alike 😉 –> https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/count-up-timer-stop-wondering-how-old-is-this
Paulina says
We donate stuff to Goodwill every couple of months. I also have noticed how much easier it gets to keep the house looking neat and tidy when we get rid of the clutter. Now if I could only convince my husband that we’re done having babies so we could get rid of all the baby stuff and clothes that are taking over our basement.
Brittany Dixon says
Haha, I love that you are the one trying to convince your husband you are done with babies. David says CLEAR OUT THE BABY STUFF and I can’t fathom that just yet 😉
Christy @The Muddy Apron says
I LOVE to organize. I wish I had more energy for it, but it’s one of my favorite things to do. A little goes a long way and it feels so much better when it’s all done. Looks great!
Jerrica says
My house is always clean but it is never organized. I suppose I like the chaos of seeing toys everywhere and having a scavenger hunt for a bowl I need…strange, I know. Messes just don’t bother me. My biggest tip is that I do laundry at night. When pajamas are put on, your clothes go into the washer. Run it and switch it to the dryer in the morning. Everyday I wash that days clothes and so it never gets piled up. It really helps keep laundry under control!
Brittany Dixon says
I always run the dishwasher at night so I really love your idea of running the clothes washer at night too! I might have to give that a try- thanks! 🙂
Jessica @Myhealthypassion.com says
I thrive off of organization, however, I need pointers lol Its tough!!!!
Katie says
I did a big 2 bag donation this weekend of clothes I’m just not wearing, and I plan on doing another one in march/april. I always have one bag in my laundry room so as I’m washing things if I know it didn’t fit well instead of folding it and putting it away, I fold it and put it in the giveaway bag.
Brittany Dixon says
That is a great idea to just leave a giveaway bag in the laundry room! Makes so much sense. Thanks for the tip!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
I organized my kitchen earlier this year and everything is still working except the pantry…I think the pantry needs an end-of-year cleanout to get rid of all the foods we aren’t eating. My MIL comes a few times a year and buys a bunch of stuff that only she uses, and then it just sits there. I’ll need to think of a better solution for this!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Whenever I feel like our tiny apartment is too messy for me to handle, I set a timer for 10-20 minutes (depending on how big the mess is) and use that as dedicated time to clean and put things away. I love this because it keeps me focused!
char eats greens says
I think I needed to see this to get my booty off the couch and do my task for today (organize the front hall table that kind of resembles a mini-mountain at the moment). I think I thrive better on organization, I just haven’t fully figured out the methods that work best for me. I think someone odd changed in me after having a child, but I’m not as motivated as I used to be (first step is admitting you have a problem right?), so I want to make a change to make sure I’m optimizing and making sure I’m getting things accomplished, like before baby, that used to make me feel really good! Great post!
Sarah (SHU) says
you know I am super into the Kon-Mari method now 🙂 I LOOOOVE only owning what sparks joy and feels essential. And as a plus it’s so much easier and more fun to organize. The process is still in progress for us but I love the effects so far 🙂 Definitely check out that book if you haven’t already!
Brittany Dixon says
I am so intrigued after reading your thoughts on the book/method! I actually talked to David about it and hopefully it’s something I can get to in this coming year. I long to be a minimalist and organized but always seem to be a work in progress.
Danica @ It's Progression says
I definitely thrive off of organization and planning – both of which I genuinely enjoy doing most of the time. I’m sure this will come to bite me in the rump when I have kids someday and things don’t go according to my plan 😉
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I cannot even think amidst chaos. I need my space to be clean and organized to get anything done. John and I are complete opposites in that way – he can work for hours in his messy office, and I would have to clean/organize everything before I could even think about working! Opposites attract? Lol
Holly Marie says
I LOVE a clean house. I clean before I work on any contract or way back when in college, I cleaned before I would study or work on a project… and now with two little ones I am now purging our house of baby items. It is slow going though because I just can’t come to grips with the idea that we are ‘done’. And that my sweet Emma Marie has out-grown so many things.
Jo says
I feel so much better when things are clean and organized. I used to be great about never leaving a room empty handed (leaving the living room, grab the empty glasses and take them to the kitchen; leaving the bedroom, drop some laundry in the laundry room). Its been a habit since way back in my waitressing days (two-way service my manager called it). However, I am definitely slipping now that I constantly have my arms full with a squirmy baby and find myself annoyed by the extra clutter that seems to somehow accumulate.
Amanda N says
I’m gonna take a look at the organization challenge post from last year – while some areas of the house are organized and stay organized, some are not. With baby #2 coming this spring and consequently loosing a whole room where we store things – it’s important.We’ve already purchased some storage items to help store our things in an alternative way, but now it’s matter of going through everything and getting rid of what’s not needed.