Neat to Have

It’s already that time of year again. The weather has warmed up—giving me an opportunity to open the windows, swap out my cold-weather coats for some lightweight pieces, and give my space a much-needed makeover.

As I walked through my home, I immediately felt overwhelmed by the amount of work that needed to be put in into organizing. Naturally, I reached out to Kat Pettey, expert organizer and owner of NEAT Method Santa Barbara, to guide me through the process of purging my home, and gained valuable information along the way.

Spring cleaning (or as I like to say “spring organizing”), might seem like a daunting task. Here are some tips and tricks I learned to help make the process a little less overwhelming.

1. Start Small.

Getting started is half the battle. Spring organizing doesn’t mean you need to go off the grid and disappear into a cleaning and organizing frenzy. If de-cluttering your kitchen is much needed, start with the pantry and tell yourself that just purging expired items is enough of an accomplishment for one day. I promise just this small step will feel so good that it will be the catalyst to the large-scale change(s) you are looking for. Before you know it, organizing your drawers, cabinets and counters will be getting checked off the list!

2. Purge Before You Purchase.

Before you go buying every cute storage basket within a 20 mile radius, take a look at what you have. Do you love it? If not, toss it. Whether it’s your collection of bags or serving platters, what’s leftover should be your favorite pieces, and nothing more. THEN, you can map out your organizing system and shop!

3. Donate.

Find a place that inspires you to eliminate items from your home. For example, donate to a women’s shelter or your local school library. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re contributing to a good cause.

4. Enlist The Help Of Others.

If you have children, encourage them to help with the process. They’ll have fun sorting their toys or checking for expiration dates—they’re natural born helpers!

5. Hire Someone To Do It For You.

If organizing just isn’t your thing, or you don’t have the time, call in the professionals! NEAT Method will get you organized and on your way in no time.

Top 10 Things a NEAT Person Does Every Day

While neatness comes as second nature to many of us, it’s a habit I believe everyone should pick up because of its array of positive benefits, including increased productivity and reduced stress levels. Organization frees both our minds and environments of clutter, allowing us to focus on day-to-day tasks, and spend more quality time with loved ones. While there is no “one size fits all” system to organization, here are some tips to help increase clarity and efficiency in your life.

1. Make The Bed.

This may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people skip this task! Research shows that it kicks your brain into productive mode. It’s that mental shift you need that helps set the tone for the day.

2. Tackle “Morning Things” At Night.

Great mornings start the night before. So, put out coffee mugs and fixings, make lunches, pack your bag, and lay out your outfit the night before. Mornings can feel rushed and even a little chaotic if you’ve got kids you’re trying to shuffle out the door, so why not make it a little easier on yourself and get some things ready, with a glass of wine and some music, of course.

3. Make A To-Do List.

Whether it’s work, parenthood, or just life in general, our plates can get pretty full and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Having a daily to-do list handy will help keep you on track. I like the classic pen and paper note-taking, but there are many fantastic apps out there such as Evernote or Google Keep, if digital is your thing.

Tip: Be sure to tackle those least-desirable tasks first because you’re likely to be more productive during the early hours of the day.

4. Put Things In Their Homes.

I believe every item should have a dedicated (labeled!) home, and if it doesn’t, create one. This is the key to being organized. When you have special home for EVERYTHING, down to your pens and lip gloss, tidying up won’t feel like a chore.

5. Do a Bag/Wallet Dump At The End Of The Day.

We know this might seem like overkill, but you’d be surprised at what you can accumulate in one day! File receipts, transfer change to your piggy bank, toss trash, and keep only the essentials you’ll need for the next day.

6. Clean.

Take out some time each day to wash dishes, wipe down counters, and throw in a load of laundry if necessary. Staying on top of these small tasks will help keep your space tidy and create a peaceful home environment.

7. Sort Mail.

If you don’t have time to open your mail right away, that’s fine (we all know a bill when we see one!), but I recommend keeping a simple sorting station near the door that’s customized to you and your family.

8. Meal Plan.

If you aren’t into the monthly/weekly plan approach, at least think about your dinner plan at the start of the day, even if it’s eating out. This allows you to take a look at your food inventory and pick up a couple ingredients if need be, or settle on a restaurant ahead of time. There is nothing fun about decision-paralysis when you’re hungry.

9. Carve Out Some “ME” Time.

Let’s face it, professional organizers can be a little too “Type A” at times so it can be hard to give ourselves that break, but it’s important to reset and relax even if it’s only for 15 minutes at a time. We’re all about balance!

10. Put It Away Right Away.

After using a certain item, immediately put it back in its designated home, which will reduce wasted time searching for things. Doing so will also create peace of mind—knowing that you don’t have additional cleaning to do at the end of the day.

NEAT Method Santa Barbara neatmethod.com 805-705-1437

Written by Kim Hashemi & Kat Pettey