Ok, I hear you! I've heard from many of you that you'd love a straightforward, essential guide to getting organized—no need for extra scenarios, real-life stories, or case studies because you're already living it and you feel the discomfort of the disorganization and are ready to do something about it.  You just want clear, actionable steps to help you take control of your space.

 You want practical guidance to make real changes in your home and office, and what you need is a quick and easy instruction manual to help you get things done and get organized on your own.

So, here you have it! A practical person’s guide for easy decluttering and organizing any space. These simple steps are the same steps you take for any room or project. Organizing is a simple process of taking out the “old” to make room for the “new" and giving everything a home.

Easy Steps to Declutter and Organize, Anything:

1. Observe
2. Process your feelings
3. Ask questions
4. Decide
5. Design
6. Take action 
7. Repeat

Or, Is it really this simple? It can be, but for some, it might seem too basic. If your project or situation becomes more complex than this guide can handle, you might need additional information and guidance for your DIY organizing. For those who have accumulated years of clutter in their homes or offices, the thought of decluttering and removing unwanted items can be overwhelming. These instructions provide a straightforward approach you can follow when organizing any room or project

How to Transform Your Home:  Easy Organizing Steps for Any Project:

1. Make an assessment

• Assess: Identify what's working and what isn't.
• Analyze what works: Determine how the space or items are currently used.
• Take Inventory: Create a detailed list of belongings.

2. Process feelings

• Emotional connection: Understand your attachment to items.
• Identify any emotional blocks: Recognize emotional barriers to decluttering.
• Set intentions: Define your goals for the space or project.

3. Ask Questions

• Purposeful questioning: Challenge your assumptions about belongings. 
• Ask yourself how you use your belongings.
• Prioritize needs: Determine what's essential and what's excess.
• Consider alternatives: Explore new ways to use or store items.

4. Decide

• Is the item useful? Do you use what you own regularly? If not, can you replace it easily?
• Does it bring you happiness or joy? If not, why are you keeping it?
• Is there sentimental value?  Does it hold significant emotional value? If so, can you capture the memory in a different way (photo, journal entry)?
• Does it justify the space it occupies in your home?

5. Design

• Categorize and group similar items together.
• Create zones: Assign specific areas for different activities or items.
• Visualize: Create a vision or mental picture of the desired outcome.

6. Take Action

• Declutter: Remove unwanted items.
• Organize: Arrange belongings efficiently.
• Maintain: Establish routines to prevent clutter buildup.

Additional Considerations:

• Time management: Break down large projects into smaller tasks.
• Ask for help: Don't hesitate to enlist support from friends, family, or professionals.
• Sustainability: Consider eco-friendly options for disposal or repurposing.

I find that people can generally take a slow approach to decluttering and organizing so that they can get it done themselves and feel accomplished and happy with the results.

However, I sometimes encounter a person feeling stuck at certain stages of organizing. It's usually when they need to ask for help and *decide on things, or how to *visualize a space, and then again when they need to *take action.

Unleash your home's potential! A skilled organizer (check out this professional organizer’s about me page) can unlock your home's potential by asking the right questions, spotting hidden storage gems, and rolling up her sleeves to create the organized haven you deserve.

If you're facing these challenges alone, getting extra support can shift your experience from feeling overwhelmed to feeling organized and empowered to achieve new goals.  

Want more tips on how to organize specific areas of your home? Visit these articles to organize your kitchen, closet, and living room.