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How to Develop Good Home Organizational Habits

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organizational habitsEveryone says they want to get organized or work on home organizing. It’s a common desire because everyone wants life to be more accessible. Being organized is shown to lower stress and improve creativity.

Getting organized is more challenging, mostly because people don’t know where to start or how to keep the new habits going. Instead, they tend to start with a splash and then get overwhelmed or spend money on storage items they never end up using.

The good news is that there are easy solutions to getting better organized.
How Do I Get into the Habit of Being Organized?

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”  Building better organizational habits are much like building any habit:

  1. Start small
  2. Tie the new habit to an existing habit
  3. Use micro-incentives
  4. Plan to overcome obstacles
  5. Be patient and consistent

For more information on building better habits, video has nine practical tips.

If you’re interested in home organizing, it’s essential to have a place for everything. Without that, the tendency to let things pile up is too strong. Then get used to putting things away. Whatever system you create, check, use, and update every day.

What Are the 4 Tips to Stay Organized?

 
You can find hundreds of articles promising the four, five, seven, ten, eleven, etc., tips for getting organized. You can distill down all of those lists into four simple points.

  1. Create a simple routine.

    2.  Keeping it simple means you’re more likely to follow it. Tying a new habit to an existing one makes it easier to create a new pattern. So if you want to tackle clutter, decide to put away or get rid of at least two items every day after you do dinner dishes or after you come home from work and change clothes. It doesn’t matter what existing habit you attach the new practice to so long as it works for you.

  2. Put things in their place.

    3.  Once you establish a “home” for all objects, put everything away immediately.

  3. Make a checklist or to-do list.

    4.  Some disorganization comes from losing track of things or having too much mental load from trying to remember everything. Also, checking off something you’ve accomplished is very satisfying and can provide a dopamine hit to help you continue/maintain the new habit.

  4. Focus.

    5. Decluttering and home organizing often goes astray when we get sidetracked. Focus on doing one thing at a time. Setting a timer for 10-20 minutes when organizing can help keep you focused.

What Are the 6 Habits of Organized People?

 
Organized people have six habits that you can apply to any project or goal, like home organizing. They are:

  1. Keep it simple.
  2. Develop routines.
  3. Put things where they belong.
  4. Keep a to-do list (daily, central, and projects).
  5. Give up perfectionism.
  6. Toss and purge regularly.

How Do I Begin to Organize My Home?

 
The first step to home organizing is getting rid of what you don’t need and don’t use. The goal should be to have room in your closets and shelves. 

Only after you’ve reduced belongings should you begin reorganizing. If not, you’re just moving around items and wasting time.

Do a little every day. Most people think they can get it all done in a day or weekend, but that’s rarely the case. Steady progress is better than fits and starts. Once you are organized, take 5-15 minutes each day to put things away and maintain whatever system you created.

Should I Have My Home Professionally Organized?

 
Hiring a professional organizer could be a great decision or a waste of money. How can you tell which situation applies?

  1. Are you focused?
  2. Are you overwhelmed?
  3. Do you tend to be indecisive?

If the last two don’t apply, especially if you can maintain focus on your own, you don’t need a professional organizer. If, however, you can never seem to find the time, are easily distracted, feel overwhelmed, and tend to be indecisive about what to keep, a professional organizer can help you get things done.

That said, watch out for three red flags when picking a professional organizer:

  1. Organizers who cut you out of the process.
  2. Those who promise “magic” solutions.
  3. Saying that organizing should come before decluttering or that decluttering isn’t needed.

Regardless of which approach you take, the important thing is to get started. The mess didn’t happen overnight, and neither will get organized, but the sooner you start, the happier you’ll be. Just remember to start small and stay consistent for long-term results.

Box&Co Makes It Easy to Get Organized

 
When you’re home organizing, it may help to store items only used occasionally. Box&Co can make things incredibly easy. Just call and request storage containers, and we’ll deliver them. Then, you pack your items, and when you’re ready, we’ll pick your stuff up and store them. We’ll return your items when needed, and you can keep track of your stored items online. To learn more, call us at 1-855-692-6926 today. 

10 Tips for Packing Up Your Dorm Room For Summer Break

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college moving tipsSummer break is almost here, and that means dorm moving day. The good news is that some simple decisions and steps can make the process easier.

10 Dorm Room Packing Tips:

  1. Lighten your load. Get rid of what you no longer need.
  2. Decide on the destination. Will everything come home with you? Or will you be storing some belongings until fall? Figure this out before you do anything else to avoid problems and confusion.
  3. Sort before packing. Items you’ll need during the summer are one category. Items you won’t need until fall, whether they’re in storage or stay in boxes in your basement, are another. If you find more items to get rid of during this step, another category will be.
  4. Lists and labels. The little time it takes to label boxes and make lists of what is in each box will save a great deal of time later when you’re looking for things. Group items by type whenever possible.
  5. Start early. Begin packing before finals. You’ll be less stressed about both.
  6. Roll it. Rolling clothing is more space-efficient and causes fewer wrinkles.
  7. Keep it light. Packed boxes that weigh less than 30 pounds are less likely to break.
  8. Keep it clean. Do not pack dirty clothes, towels, or sheets. While you may tell yourself that you’ll wash them as soon as you get home, odds are there will be a delay. Dirty laundry can attract bugs, and even if it doesn’t, it will start to smell. The only dirty items you should pack are the towel, clothing, and sheets you use right before moving.
  9. Prevent leaks. Use resealable bags for anything that has already been open. However, storing open liquids or perishables could cause leaks and bugs. You want to make sure all your items stay dry and clean, so it’s best not to store open liquids or perishables at all.
  10. Fill them up. Use packing pellets, bubble wrap, etc., to fill boxes to the top. This will prevent the lids from collapsing when you stack boxes because the load is evenly distributed.

How Do You Store College Stuff Over the Summer?

 
In today’s world, various storage options exist for the college student home for the summer. Bringing everything home with you and storing it in your family’s basement, attic, or garage is one option.
 
However, not every home has the storage space to do that comfortably. A few rare colleges provide a way for students to store items while home for summer. And, of course, storage, either in your hometown or where your college is, is another option.
 
Storage doesn’t have to be a fixed-size, self-serve unit either. A more straightforward storage solution is a pick-up-and-delivery storage option like we do at Box&Co.

Box&Co Makes It Easy to Get Organized

When you’re ready to get organized, and store items only used occasionally, Box&Co can make things incredibly easy for you. You have to ask for the number of call us or fill out our form to contact us today. 

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start Organizing Your Spring/Summer Yard Sale

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yard sale tipsSpring may be around the corner, but it’s still too chilly to have a garage sale. Regardless, now is a great time to start organizing a spring or summer yard sale. If you’ve ever had a yard sale and then found more items you could have sold after the event, you understand the wisdom of prepping far in advance. Some people prepare a New Year to declutter box for a spring yard sale.

Set aside a box and label it “sell/donate.” Then as you go through your daily life for the next few weeks or months, put items in the box that you no longer use or need. If you also come across things that aren’t worth selling or donating, throw them away. By starting now, you will have accumulated enough for a yard sale by spring or summer. If your house is large, you might want to set up a declutter box on each floor.

How Do I Prepare for a Yard Sale?

  1. Pick a time and date
  2. Collect the items to sell
  3. Mark more oversized items with their sale prices
  4. Promote your sale, starting at least a week in advance
  5. Make yard sale signs to put around the neighborhood
  6. Set up a cash box with change
  7. Have a table to hold small items and to handle transactions

Group items by category. Hang clothes if possible. If selling toys, a blanket on the ground to display them might better attract kids who ask their parents to buy.

Do You Need a Permit for a Yard Sale?

That depends upon your local laws. Check with your village, town, and/or county to be sure. Generally, the application is just a paperwork issue and doesn’t require payment, but not having one when needed could cause trouble.

Can You Have a Yard Sale on Sunday?

Saturday is generally considered the best day for a yard sale unless you live in an area where religious services are widely held on Saturday. Sunday is the third-best day for a yard sale after Saturday and then Friday.

Why is Friday better than Sunday for a yard sale? In the summertime, a lot of people are off on Fridays. For many people, Sunday is church day. Even for the non-religious, Sunday is often a day for staying home, taking care of things before work on Monday, and spending time with family.

What Time Should a Yard Sale Start?

Hardcore yard sale people start early. 7 a.m. is typical for that crowd, and 8 a.m. is considered a little late. That said, do what works for you and factor in setup time, which always takes longer than expected. Just remember that the fewer customers you’re likely to get as the day wears on.

How Long Should a Garage Sale Last?

Start wrapping up your garage sale no later than 2 p.m. Visitors drop off severely after that.

How Do I Price Items for a Yard Sale?

The general rule of thumb for pricing items at a yard sale is to charge about 10% of the item’s original cost. Many variables exist, such as clothing in perfect condition that still has the tags on it. Vinyl records in good condition are also attracting attention again after years of little interest. Moneycrashers has more detailed pricing guidance based on the type of item.

The other advantage to planning a couple of months (or more) of a yard sale is that it gives you time to research prices based on the items and the going rate in your area. It also provides time to tag items with the price. That avoids confusion on the yard sale day and presents a more serious and polished approach that can translate into better sales. Those who like to haggle will still make lower offers, but many will pay the price on the tag.

What Never Sells at a Garage Sale?

Certain items are yard sale duds that rarely attract buyers, such as:

  • Ugly vases
  • Upholstered furniture, particularly substantial pieces
  • Dining room tables/sets
  • Mugs and cups
  • Exercise equipment
  • Entertainment centers/armories
  • Old electronics, especially large, old TVs
  • Textbooks and encyclopedias
  • Stereo speakers

Some of those items are too big and bulky to sell, like large furniture, and others have little interest, like textbooks and ugly vases. When it comes to mugs and cups – most people have enough already or want something very particular that you probably don’t have.

What Should You Never Sell (or Buy) at a Yard Sale?

While a garage sale is an excellent opportunity to get a great deal, there are a few items that you should never purchase at a garage sale. In each case, safety is the reason, though the specifics may vary.

  1. Car seats, cribs & bike helmets

    2. These three items are highly regulated – and those regulations change. Buying them used means that they may not meet the current requirements and therefore not provide the expected safety level. You also won’t know if whoever had used the car seats or bike helmets in an accident can open up other issues.

  2. Cosmetics

    3. Never buy unsealed cosmetics, and they could be contaminated with bacteria that can cause an infection. Even sealed cosmetics at a yard sale could be dangerous because make-up has an expiration date, and old cosmetics could be breaking down, causing skin irritation.

  3. Non-stick cookware

    4. Teflon wears out. The non-stick coating can begin to flake subtly, which means Teflon would be in the food cooked in it.

  4. Electronics

    5. This category is a little different. Only buy electronics if you can test the item before purchasing. If you’re running the yard sale, have an extension cord set up so you can plug in the articles and let buyers see that it works. Old electronics don’t always age well, and electrical shorts can be a risk.

  5. Mattresses

    6. The risk of bed bug contamination is too high. Don’t buy a mattress at a yard sale.

  6. Running shoes

    7. While those running shoes seemingly in good condition might sound like a great deal, please don’t do it. They’re designed to mold to the wearer’s feet, so unless they are brand new and unworn in the box, they may never fit quite right.

Box&Co Can Handle All of Your Storage Needs

Box&Co can make storage incredibly easy. Just order the necessary number of storage containers, and we’ll deliver them. Pack your items, and when you’re ready, we’ll pick your things up and store the containers for you. We’ll return your items when they’re needed, and you can keep track of your stored items online. To learn more, email us or call us at 1-855-692-6926 today.