There are a number of common misconceptions about keeping an organized home. Let’s take a look at 5 of them!
Myth #1: “Once I’ve organized my home, it will stay that way effortlessly.”
Consider this:
Think of home organization as “set up” and tidying as “keep up.” Organization (the “set up”) can be tackled as a one-time project in an allotted, focused amount of time. If you go through the process strategically as a parenting team, and with family buy-in, you won’t need to organize often. As your family’s needs grow and change, you will need to revisit your systems, but this should only look like a few tweaks to the organization you’ve already set up.
So, in some ways it’s true that once you carve out the time to organize your home, the biggest part of the process, the part that takes some brain power, is done!
However! A home can have the most effective storage systems in place, but, without habits that help you tidy and “keep up” your home, all that effort will be undone eventually. We need consistent and ongoing rhythms that help us maintain the organization we have established, and even though it takes a bit of discipline, it gives you time back in your life! It isn’t effortless, but with some daily rhythms, keeping up an organized home can become more automatic and manageable.
Myth #2: “Organizing, tidying, and cleaning are all the same thing.”
Consider this:
The reality is, our homes are always in flux. We do, after all, want real life happening in them! Homes that have been well organized, will become untidy – This is not a failure, it’s a sign of life! Ones that look tidy, may not have been recently cleaned. Homes that are clean may not actually be organized behind closed doors. Organization, cleanliness, and tidiness are each their own independent pursuit that require their own intentional rhythms.
- Home organization – the strategic, decision-making process of giving each of our things a ‘home.’
- Home tidiness – the result of ongoing rhythms that help us return our things to their designated ‘home’ after use.
- Home cleanliness – caring for and maintaining our things. (Often more ‘fixed’ things in our homes like floors, windows, appliances, sinks, furniture, etc.)
We often use the words ‘organize’ and ‘tidy’ as though they are synonyms. While they are connected to one another, each can exist independently of the other. Similarly, ‘tidiness’ and ‘cleanliness’ are often used interchangeably as well, but they, also, are two different things. Can you tell we value semantics? 😜
We believe the nuances matter because they help us have realistic expectations, and break down broad goals into achievable steps. And seeing how achievable steps fit into a bigger picture leads to rhythms that serve our unique families and home cultures!
Myth #3: “My house isn’t big enough to organize all of my things.”
Consider this:
It’s a common misconception that you need a large home in order to have an organized home. While having more space can make organization easier in some ways, it’s entirely possible to have a well-organized and functional home, regardless of it’s size!
What’s more relevant than size is the relationship between your ‘stuff’ and your ‘space.’ And what’s more important is how both of these serve your family and support your values!
Before you get creative with storage solutions, whether in a larger home or a smaller home, ask yourself who is served by these items and spaces? Think about what brings comfort, and make it more accessible. What brings joy and make it more visible. What is used regularly and make it more available. Think about what encourages togetherness and make it more attainable. Consider what doesn’t fit your core values and give it away to someone for whom it does!
Effective organization is about maximizing the functionality and livability of a space. This is a fulfilling challenge that we can embrace in the context of what serves our family members most! With thoughtful planning, creative solutions, and consistent upkeep, both large and small homes can be organized, inviting, and exciting places to live.
Myth #4: “I have to become a minimalist to be organized.”
Consider this:
Minimizing our accumulation of stuff and being thoughtful about purchases is a key principle of keeping an organized space. However, this does not mean every organized home is a minimalist home!
It’s true that having less does simplify the organization process, and maybe more importantly, can have a positive effect on decluttering our minds. But the reality is that some hobbies / jobs / passions simply require more ‘things’ than others! Rather than focusing on the quantity of things you store and organize, focus on your reason for keeping what you have.
We don’t all need to be minimalists! Some of us will end up keeping less, some will keep more, and that’s ok! The point isn’t about keeping or not keeping / storing / organizing a certain amount of things. It’s more about knowing what you have, and why you have it! Approaching organizing, decluttering, and cleaning within this context makes it much more exciting because it activates things that bring joy!
Myth #5: “I can’t organize my home unless I spend a lot of money on bins, shelving, and storage solutions.”
Consider this:
We can’t deny it, the pictures showing beautifully organized spaces with aesthetic basket sets and bins are eye catching and appealing. And while there are certainly some pricey ways to setup your organization, it’s not the only way! The truth is, it’s possible to spend a lot of money on something that doesn’t end up meeting the need it was purchased to meet.
An important organizational practice is designating a ‘home’ where your things belong … but there’s no reason this ‘home’ needs to beautiful ☺️. Whether you store your things in a woven seagrass basket that you purchased, or a cardboard box you kept from your latest delivery, organization is possible! Don’t aim for perfection as step number one, just aim for progress!
Our spaces can appear more organized when done with cohesive storage bins (pantries using all the same kind of basket or jar sure look appealing) or when we can conceal our storage behind cabinets (some garage makeovers where large storage units with doors are installed are impressive). But it’s important to remember that the aesthetic appeal of one’s storage or organizational systems does not determine it’s effectiveness. You don’t need the latest, greatest storage contraption. It won’t help if its not combined with a good system for use anyway! Would you rather have a storage system that looks pretty, or one that truly gives you back time to pursue people and projects you enjoy?
Encouragement
These home organization myths are overcome-able! We hope some freedom can be found by busting them! Which myth might be holding back your family?
Much love from,
Brianna and Ben
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