Organizing for Mental Clarity

In our fast-paced world, mental clarity is more crucial than ever. A cluttered environment can lead to a cluttered mind, making it difficult to focus and be productive. This is the last thing we need. We are spinning plates at a record pace and not only that, we are spinning too many plates! How can we lighten the load? How can we control what’s around us and what’s causing this mental state of chaos we keep finding ourselves in? If this resonates with you, you’re in the right place!

1. The Connection Between Clutter and Stress

Research shows that physical clutter can contribute to feelings of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. When surrounded by disarray, our brains struggle to process information efficiently. By eliminating excess clutter, you not only create a more visually pleasing space but also a more mentally soothing one for your mind.

2. Establish Routines

Creating routines around your organizing efforts can lead to lasting habits. Set aside time each week to tidy up and reassess your space. By making organization a part of your routine, you’ll maintain clarity and focus more easily. I like to reset my kitchen and common areas every night. After my youngest is put to bed, I finish the dishes, clear the counters of any clutter, pick up toys and then finally, I’m ready to sit and enjoy my evening (or work, you know, let’s be honest). It just makes me feel so much better waking up to a clean slate.

3. Start Small: Choose One Area

If the idea of organizing feels overwhelming, start with one small area. It could be a desk drawer, a shelf, or even a corner of your living room. By tackling small spaces, you’ll build momentum and confidence as you see immediate results.

4. Sort and Categorize

As you begin to organize, sort items into categories: keep, donate, recycle, or discard. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do I use this regularly?

• Does this item bring me joy?

• Would I buy this again?

This process not only declutters your space but also forces you to evaluate what’s truly important to you. What served you a few years ago may not serve you anymore. And if that’s the case, it’s time to part with it. Don’t beat yourself up for letting go and don’t save things for a “rainy day”.

5. Implement Storage Solutions

Invest in storage solutions that suit your style and needs. Bins, baskets, and shelves can help keep your items organized and easily accessible. Labeling can also make it easier to find things, reducing frustration and mental load.

6. Digital Decluttering

Don’t forget about your digital space! Organizing your files, emails, and apps can lead to a clearer mind. Delete what you don’t need, organize files into folders, and unsubscribe from unwanted emails. A streamlined digital environment promotes focus and reduces stress.

Organizing your space is more than just a chore; it’s a powerful tool for enhancing mental clarity. By creating a visually pleasing and structured environment, you set the stage for improved focus, creativity, and productivity. Start small, be consistent, and watch as your organized space transforms your mind and your life.

Playroom Madness

It’s inevitable that our kids acquire so much stuff. Especially when they’re little. The toys just keep piling on top of each other. After all, it seems like every time we turn around, we’re celebrating a birthday or a holiday and you know what that means, more toys. But there’s hope! Your playroom doesn’t have to be a mine field. With the right bins and baskets, it can be well managed. We start to become overwhelmed by the number of toys we already have. The thought of accumulating more might send us over the edge.

Ask yourself these questions:

- has my child played with this in the last 3-4 months?

- are there broken or missing pieces?

- is it developmentally appropriate for their age?

- how many pieces are you picking up from them just taking it out and dumping it around the house?

Decluttering is essential when organizing. Once you establish what you’re keeping, set up categories. Group things together by like-kind.

Some of our favorite playroom must haves are IKEA cube shelves, colorful rug and a crafting table. This could also be used for coloring, building Lego or puzzles.

Kids become overwhelmed in a playroom that’s just full of stuff. They get sensory overload and don’t know where to even begin. Having an organized playroom helps ease the brain. You’re giving them choices. They can see their clearly labeled bin and decide if they want dinosaurs or cars, Barbies or dolls. And then they can even help clean up!

Such a win mama!

Pinterest Worthy Organized

Hey there friend!

I'm so happy you're here. Let me guess, you've stumbled across this blog because you're looking for the secret on keeping your house Pinterest worthy organized. Am I right? Well, you've come to the right place to find tips, practical steps and insight on how to maintain an organized home.

Does your house feel overwhelming, full of "stuff" and feels like you're constantly picking up? Or maybe everywhere you look there's just things that don't have a home. I get it, I've been there. Shoot, sometimes I am there. I have four boys. Boys, ya'll. They are messy, dirty, collect all the things and generally just create mess after mess. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful, creative and all those things too, but this isn't an art blog. I'm just keeping it real. I spend a lot of my day navigating Lego towers and trying my hardest to not throw away Pokémon cards I find on the floor. But with that said, we have a home for everything. So even though they create messes, they know where the mess goes when they're done. Labeling is everything. It can be overwhelming and even suck the joy out of your day to just see piles and piles of toys, papers, clothes and just plain old clutter. What's the solution? How can we get past this state? I'm glad you asked.

There's a big word that comes to mind when I think about lack of organization, anxiety. I know that might be a strong word but I can bet you've felt this way at one point or another. Long before I became a professional organizer, I would let the anxiety consume me. Sometimes I just wouldn't start a project because I just didn't know what to do or where to start, I was stuck. That's how the clutter begins. There's many hats we wear as moms, and just women in general. I know we can't always escape feeling anxious when it comes to our kids, our jobs, our finances, but we shouldn't feel that way when we're in our home, our safe space.

There is such a sense of peace when everything is in its place. And let me tell you, the less you have, the less time you spend picking up and putting away. Seems simple, I know. Living as a minimalist isn't for everyone nor practical for everyone, but it's something I've tried to live by the last several years. Less is more. More time to spend with your family, more time cooking a meal, more time taking walks, you name it.

The Gracefully Nested team has been described as magical fairies. No really, we were called that a few times. You may laugh but we try our hardest to leave all the fairy dust we can to help motivate you after we leave. We want to help you create a functional system, one your kids and spouse can live by. A system that sticks around. We do this by decluttering what you don't need, categorizing like items, using products like bins, turn tables and baskets and lastly, labeling.

Peace in the home is achievable. It can be your reality. You don't have to be jumping over a pile of clothes to get to the bathroom. Girl, we'll help you see the floor. Sometimes that's the most exciting part. Stick around, we've got lots to chat about!

Thank you for stopping by. We look forward to seeing you again.

So much love from the Gracefully Nested

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