There’s one essential part of staying organized that doesn’t require you to lift a finger.  No sorting through boxes, no printing labels – this step requires only talking. 

But sometimes it’s the simple things that don’t get done.  When you share a living- or workspace with someone else, it’s essential that you talk about where different categories of items will live in that space.  (And if you live or work alone, this might be a silent, but just as important, exercise – though you should feel free to talk it out aloud too!) 

If your partner or colleague doesn’t know where you keep the stapler, he or she will be doomed to a staple-less existence…or you will be doomed to always being the one who puts it away and finds it again.  Taking the 60 seconds to talk about which drawer it goes to can save much more time that would otherwise be lost to frustration or clutter-clearing.

A family brainstorming session about where to store a new glass measuring cup might go like this: The low cabinet with the plastic bowls? Too likely to be grabbed by the toddler. The drawer with the smaller measuring cups? Not enough room. The high cabinet with the hand mixer? We have a deal!

We at NAPO-SE Michigan think these conversations tend to be skipped because people assume they’re too basic, too easy to warrant the time and attention.  But when you’ve seen as many clutter-filled surfaces as we have as professional organizers, you know: much of that clutter’s root cause is simple ignorance about where to put the items after using them.  And that clutter becomes the root of tension, unhappiness, and lost keys and even cash!

So it’s worth the investment of your time: your space and well-being are worth it.

This article was written by Molly Boren, Chapter Vice-President, a  Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of Simplicity Works Organizing Services for the home and office.