How many times do you think about organizing a drawer or even a room and give up because it is too overwhelming? Well, I hate to break it to you - organizing is work, but organizing doesn’t have to be a nightmare! Like weight-loss, most people are looking for a quick fix to organizing. And as we have learned, quick weight-loss doesn’t work and you return to the habits which got you to where you were in the first place. The same rings true with organizing. Creating new habits will make organizing a breeze as time goes on.

Lazy is defined as slow moving or sluggish. Organizing the “lazy way” will still take time (I didn’t call it 5 Fast Ways to Organize now, did I?). Going in with a lazy mindset will help you slowly and steadily gain control over the disorganized clutter monster that looms over your head! Patience is a virtue! The old adage, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time” should be playing in your head as you tackle your clutter and disorganization.

1. Get over perfection! Most people feel organizing is about living Martha Stewart Perfect. Not the case! It is really as simple as finding what you need when you need it and keeping what you need, use and love. Finding a good home for what you have is essential. Keep those things you use often close to you, not as frequently a little further, and those you don’t use often furthest away.
2. Get over guilt! If you are holding onto things because you’d feel guilty getting rid of it DON”T! (Like your friend who gave you a shirt that just doesn’t look good on you, but you feel she will get her feelings hurt if you give it away). You will be able to shed yourself of so much clutter when you purge the guilt first! Those who love you should understand your needs are, and guilt isn’t one of those needs!
3. Stick to one area at a time! If you want to organize the whole house, trying to organize it all at once will take longer. You will become the Tasmanian Devil, spinning on a path of destruction. Choose one area to organize at a time. Slow and steady wins this race! Seeing one project through to the end will give you the motivation to continue on to the rest of the house.
4. Stop making to-do lists! If you skip this step and put your tasks directly into your to-do lists, then you will actually have the time to get things done! If you need to purge your brain to get it out of your head, create different lists. You need one for long term goals, short term goals and one for everyday tasks. Work those lists into your calendar to see what you can accomplish daily, monthly and yearly. Remember to leave room in your schedule for fun!
5. Get help! Any way you look at it, help is the best way to change your habits. You will have someone to hold you accountable. Don’t you have enough on your plate? Adding self accountability (is that a phrase or did I just make it up?) is just one more thing to worry about. Pass that responsibility on!

You can actually waste time by being “hyper” organized (as I like to call it). You can procrastinate on projects by organizing as a distraction. You can lead an unbalanced life if you are so focused on perfection. Organizing should bring you more time to do what you love and want to do. So get lazy and organize your home one space at a time!