"Leave room to grow. You will only get more things, so leave extra space."
— Jamie Novak, national speaker and best-selling author
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When your home is organized, "you feel more in control and you can focus on the important things in life," says Jamie Novak, national speaker and best-selling author. "People can pop by unannounced and you get your social life back — you can finally join that book club that meets in members' homes."
So let's get to it! Check out our easy, new ideas to simplify your life — all without cleaning out your bank account.
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Streamline Your Car
Between going to work, running errands and everything else you have to do, it's no wonder your car has become like a second home. Make it more comfortable and functional by considering the following tasks:
- Organize all of your car information, insurance papers and maintenance receipts in one spot.
- Update your emergency kit.
- Get a new air freshener.
- Designate a space for trash.
- Stock up on healthy snacks in the glove compartment. (Just be sure they're non-perishable!)
- Keep Bounty® paper towels in your car. Give the inside of your car a quick wipe-down while waiting to pick up your kids or when you're stuck in traffic. Having an organized car will save time and extra trips.
Organize Your Entryway
It's the first thing guests see and, unfortunately, it's usually the first place clutter lands. Make it easy to hang up things and put away items — even after a long day. Novak says, "Organizing the entryway offers an immediate and measurable impact." She suggests you:
- Have a bin by the door for shoes.
- Designate a basket for incoming mail and bills.
- Place hooks on the back of your closet door for keys, umbrellas and everyday jackets.
- Collect loose change in a jar wherever you empty your pockets.
- Use a decorative box to hold receipts.
- Keep outgoing items on a single shelf near the door so you remember to take the bills to be mailed or to return a library book.
Leave Room to Grow
When organizing, don't just get rid of enough stuff to walk into the closet. "Leave room to grow. You will only get more things, so leave extra space," says Novak. After you clear out a space, scrutinize what you add back. Stick to your list when shopping. If you don't know where you will keep an item, don't buy it. Creating more space will reduce stress and increase the time until your next cleaning is needed.
Get More Out of Your Storage
To simplify your home and make it clutter-free, have a place for things you use every day and a storage area for everything else. Novak recommends, "Always keep extras or spares elsewhere; no one needs all six rolls of tape in the desk drawer." When storing items, be sure you don't overfill containers. Also, use clear storage bins so it is easier to see and use items.
Unclutter Your Schedule to Make Time for You
Is your day just as cluttered as your house? Unclutter your schedule by sorting all of your commitments and activities into an A-list and a C-list. Author Sandra Felton says, "Say no to less-important, C-list priorities. Shout a resounding 'yes' to a few, well-selected activities in your life — your A-list priorities." On your A-list, adopt one thing to do for yourself and make it a priority. For example:
- Write in a journal or write a letter to a friend.
- Take a walk.
- Have lunch with a friend.
- Enjoy five minutes of complete silence. (When was the last time you did that?)
Making these simple changes in your life can help you reach a whole new level of simplification.
Want more quick cleaning tips? Check out this article.
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