More than Purging: Intentional Organizing

Minimalism.  

For some, this word may evoke a negative connotation of an idealistic but superficially unrealistic way of life. The philosophy of minimalism is ever-growing in popularity, and while it has its benefits, it can become over-glorified in the same way a celebrity endorsement over-glorifies an insanely expensive perfume. Celebrities and social media may dazzle us with flawlessly organized spaces, but we are left feeling like we will never conquer the endless excess in our own homes.  

In the past, I used to believe that being a minimalist meant living in a tiny house and owning little to no stuff. While that may be true for some, the approach to living more organized is not one-size-fits-all. Experts such as Marie Kondo and The Home Edit say that it is not so much about having less, as it is being more intentional with your belongings to suit your lifestyle.  

Society’s approach to minimalism and materialism continually changes, and as we grow more aware of our carbon footprint in the world, we may seek to re-evaluate our relationship with “stuff.” Our reaction against fast fashion and the need to reduce waste have furthered the drive towards slow and simplified living. If you are wondering how to incorporate more organization and simplicity into your life, here are a few principles to practice:  

Ask yourself “Why?”
Taking a realistic look at the stuff in our lives is a crucial starting point for living a more intentional life. It is not about purging down to bare bones; it is holding onto what it most functional as well as beautiful to us. If something is collecting dust, it may be time to pass it on where it can be purposeful and loved.  Reassess, regift, and recycle.  

Whitney Tevis, owner of Fort Worth’s Organized Nest, says, “Keeping a clutter-free life has to be an intentional practice so that your home remains a living space, instead of a storage space. We like to remind our clients that keeping for the sake of ‘maybe one day I’ll use this’ is a recipe for disaster. Use what you buy. Don’t save it for a special occasion If you aren’t using dishes, kitchen items, clothing, or shoes, donate it so someone else can use it.”  

Keep up with the maintenance 

Sort the Fort’s owner Alecia McCoy says, “Even after you’ve organized your rooms or items, they won’t stay that way without regular maintenance. Setting aside 10 minutes a day or an hour a week to put things back where the belong will go a long way towards maintaining your organized home.” 

The same applies to other aspects of our lives, whether it is strengthening our personal relationships or maintaining a healthy lifestyle – we must put in the work. Practicing consistency and breaking old habits is key. Resist the urge to leave stuff out instead of putting it back where it belongs. As Benjamin Franklin said, “A place for everything, everything in its place.”  

Enlist help 

Let’s face it, juggling the demands of life while trying to maintain a tidy and comforting space is a lot of work. This is even more true if you have children, pets, or roommates. Do not be afraid to get benevolently despotic in assigning responsibilities to other members of your household. To be a part of a shared space requires shared contributions to the household needs. It’s never too late to make a list of daily, weekly, and monthly duties for everyone to follow! 

Nurture gratitude and generosity 

Keeping a healthy mindset towards our belongings is important. Things wear out, and some possessions do not hold the same sentimentality to others as it does to you. Alecia McCoy says that “accidents happen, and things break, but when it comes to parenting and our possessions, I have always tried to instill respect for our belongings and those of others in our sons.”  

A Japanese poem says, “Barn’s burnt down — now I can see the moon.” Parting with items that no longer serve you or others is an opportunity to breathe new life into our spaces. Focus on what is most meaningful and discard the rest. Appreciate the joy they brought you in the past, however great or small, as this will establish a sense of closure without feeling as though you are throwing away memories.  

Above all, choose gratitude and generosity, and remember, joy is not derived from the possessions we have, but in the stories they tell. Here’s to making our homes a place of love, joy, and simplicity!