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Mar 04
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Free Organizing Styles Quiz

By Blog, Free Articles, Quick Organizing Tips, Resources No Comments

The Four Organizing Styles:
Who Are You?

 

Organizing is more than just pretty bins and containers… It’s about designing your dream organizing systems so that you can find what you want, when you need it – with EASE!

Tally your answers from the quiz below to get clear on exactly where to start, how to declutter, and the best ways for you to organize your spaces.

Experience more joy and freedom in your life today!

 

 

I can never find my keys, to-do lists, or phone charger.

  1. Every day
  2. Occasionally
  3. Often
  4. Rarely

 

I have a few things on my kitchen counter to put away, I’ll do it…

  1. Why do I need to put them away? They’re not in my way
  2. Later – probably after work tomorrow or when I have time this weekend
  3. Tonight – I like to tidy up before bed
  4. Right now – why wait?

 

I have a good system for planning, prioritizing, and achieving my goals.

  1. Not really and I don’t really know how
  2. I think so, but I struggle with following through
  3. Somewhat, yes
  4. Absolutely, I crush my goals

 

I delegate tasks to others whenever possible and I am able to let go once I have delegated a task.

  1. Not often, I prefer to do things myself
  2. Yes all the way, take it off my shoulders please!
  3. As long as they follow my directions precisely, then yes
  4. No way – I’m very specific in how I complete my tasks

 

When focusing on an activity or work task, I can work without getting distracted by other projects, people, clutter, etc…

  1. I don’t know the last time I was distraction-free
  2. Not very often
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I can restrict myself from spending too much time on social media.

  1. No and I don’t really want to, it’s a tool and how I stay connected
  2. If I realize I’m spending too much time I will usually log off for a few hours
  3. Yes, and it’s a very important thing to do
  4. I’m pretty good at it or I don’t use it much

 

I make my bed…

  1. Only if someone is coming over and they might see it
  2. Most days, but sometimes I’ve got to run if I’m busy!
  3. If I wake up feeling motivated in the morning
  4. Immaculately every morning, it’s the first thing I do!

 

Once I identify a habit that works against me, I adjust how I do things to improve my productivity.

  1. I do try, but I find I always end up back where I started
  2. I really want to but sometimes I don’t know where to start
  3. I try my best to change bad habits
  4. Totally, I am constantly improving and proud of it

 

Do you clean up your workspace often?

  1. It’s not perfect by any means, but it makes me comfortable
  2. I like to do it at the end of each work week
  3. I straighten things up when I’m finished for the day
  4. Yes! I appreciate a bright, fresh start each day

 

When I start a book, magazine, or other reading material, I am able to finish it in a timely manner.

  1. Sometimes
  2. Hardly ever
  3. Usually
  4. Always

 

I have a systematic method for naming electronic files, sorting digital photos, and organizing emails.

  1. Not really, I have too much to organize alone – but it’s all in one place does that count!?
  2. Kind of but I’m often too busy to categorize these things to where they belong
  3. Yes but it’s not as intricate as I’d like
  4. Yes and it is very specific – I can recall any information I need at a moment’s notice

 

I stick to a schedule for watering my plants, feeding my pets, meal prepping, etc.

  1. I’m happy with my consistency, it may not be perfect but it’s enough
  2. I get around to it eventually, I know I could be better though
  3. I do it when I remember, usually I group a bunch of tasks to do in a row
  4. All of the time, I love a routine and planning my whole day out

 

I can find anything I need in my home within 5 minutes.

  1. Hardly ever
  2. I know the general area
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I either immediately fix or get rid of things that are not in good working condition. My appliances and car work well.

  1. I usually just replace the thing right away – but I’ll keep the original to repair someday
  2. I’m the type to use something until it’s dead, and then replace it
  3. I want to do it immediately so I’ll put the item by the front door or the issue on my to-do list
  4. Absolutely – but I need to find the best price or place for it first

 

I enjoy my home environment and find it a relaxing and nurturing place to spend time.

  1. My home is a comfortable space that displays a lot about who I am
  2. I have a vision for what I’d like but I haven’t found the way I want to do it yet
  3. I do my best to achieve what I envision but it’s always a little off
  4. My home is my oasis and I organize/decorate to maintain exactly that

 

Everyone in my household knows where things belong and they put things away.

  1. Not really, we don’t have a designated place for each thing so sometimes items are in random spots
  2. Yes, but we don’t always get around to doing it as frequently as I’d like
  3. We don’t have many systems in place but the house is organized to some degree
  4. They do, however it’s never perfect unless I readjust it

 

I have gone through my closets and drawers within the past year and gotten rid of anything that does not fit me currently, or that I no longer like or want.

  1. No I like to keep clothes and items in case I change my mind and might need or want them in the future
  2. I’ve done this once or twice, but I struggle with distractions and end up with piles out for days instead
  3. I do this sometimes, but often the to-go items find their way back before they go out
  4. I do this often, I don’t have anything that isn’t useful to me in the present

 

To live a more balanced life where my physical, mental, spiritual, social needs are met, one area I’d like to improve in is…

  1. I would like to improve my perseverance
  2. I would like to improve my motivation
  3. I would like to improve my productivity
  4. I would like to improve my stress levels

 

Quiz Score

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Nov 17
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The Sentimentalist: Emotional Attachment to Clutter

By Blog, Free Articles, Raving Fans No Comments

🤍 Dear Sentimentalists,

 

I have long admired your big, all-encompassing hearts! 🤍

 

I feel you know a level of care and nurture that goes deeper than most. You have been through so much in this lifetime which has only added tremendous empathic traits to your already very endearing personalities.

 

You deeply cherish those close to you and like to show off just how much you appreciate them. You probably love giving away baked goodies or spontaneous, “You like it? Take it!” gifts!

📚 Why am I prone to Clutter?

 

Sentimentalists love to be of service to the ones around them, no matter their relation. You have a big heart and are likely to be found lending a helping hand to those most in need.

 

Since you value the ones you love so much, of course you’d want to display your kids’ artwork, family vacation photos, souvenirs, and memorabilia. Who wouldn’t be proud of all these special memories! And us houseguests love getting to see more about you and your lifestyle.

 

There’s nothing wrong with having a little extra love to give!

One thing I know from my experience as a professional organizer, is that you might try holding on to too many things at once. And I know how much you love all your things, but all of these “what if” or “deal with it later” items are blocking you from serving at your fullest potential.

 

You need to be extra careful about forming emotional attachments to sentimental clutter.

 

🥊 Confronting the Clutter

 

“Pick 3 of the best, get rid of the rest.”

– Sherry Borsheim, Founder of Simply Productive

 

By holding on to so many sentimental items and Eventually-These-Will-Be-Useful things, you are getting in your own way of cherishing the new. When we hold onto too many things, we aren’t leaving room – both physical and emotional – for new experiences.

 

If every space in your home for displaying photos is full of frames already, where will you put up your next set of family photos?  

 

You must question yourself about why you’ve been hanging onto broken items that need repair when you don’t seem to be able to “get around” to doing anything with it. Also question yourself about furniture, clothes, and household items that you’re sentimentally attached to that you’ve paid to have stored for many years.

 

How much money has this cost you? How much time do you spend thinking about doing something but never take action? What is your sentimental clutter costing you in time, money, and emotional well-being?

 

All of this emotional and mental clutter takes a toll and weighs on you immensely.

 

Imagine now when you walk through your home. Do you feel a sense of breezy calm? Or is the vibe more stagnant, dusty, and anxious?

 

Cluttering up your home and office wall-to-wall with stuff takes a lot of time, effort, and money to maintain, dust, and clean on a regular basis. And constantly making room for new things in a cluttered space requires a lot of extra energy to move things around a room

Photos & Styling @TraceyAyton
Organizer Simply Productive

We spend a lot of time at home… so much so that our home environment has a huge affect on our physical and mental wellbeing! Have you been feeling off, anxious, or depressed for seemingly no reason? If so, you might want to take a look around your spaces!

 

Can you recall the feeling of staying at a nice hotel? The duvet is white and fluffy, the tables are cleared aside from a recent magazine and alarm clock, the closets have ample room for your belongings, the kitchenette has just enough kitchen utensils for your number of guests… no more, no less…

 

But as a sentimentalist, I know you like to surround yourself with things that make you happy and bring you joy! I also know that living life as a minimalist is likely not something you want to do.

So I’d like to challenge you in finding a happy medium between displaying less, and filling every available shelf, wall, and floor space. Find three images online of a space that inspires you and let that be your goal for decluttering and organizing your space.

 

Even if you pack some items temporarily away in boxes, in just a couple weeks you’ll see how easy it becomes to clean and dust the space!

 

And use this motto to create the space of your dreams!

Does this space give you serenity, calm, and peace?

 

Don’t worry my friend, by no means am I suggesting to rid of all of your memorable and useful pieces. But instead, I am suggesting you spend some time focusing on organizing them in an efficient manner. This way you will gain much more mental and emotional freedom. And never again feel that heavy weight of clutter on your shoulders!

 

✨ Living clutter-free: Is it for me?

 

This is 100% possible for you – and before you start to think I’m drifting off into fairytale land, check out these Sentimentalist transformations for yourself:

And coming soon… you!

 

You may feel overwhelmed initially, but I promise once you get a little momentum going, a drawer cleared out here, a shelf decluttered there… that the motivation will just keep rolling.

 

So stick with me to create better emotional habits around your sentimental things!

 

🪄 How to start Clearing the Clutter

 

“If you can’t tidy a whole house, tidy a corner. If you can’t tidy a corner, put away 3 things. It’s not possible to do all things every single day – it is possible to take just one step today.”

– Sherry Borsheim, Founder of Simply Productive

 

I’d like to pass on a few tips for you, Sentimentalists!

 

I want you to be able to live a beautiful life free of clutter and emotional baggage, and to choose joy in the process of decluttering and organizing.

 

It does not to be a dreadful, boring task!

 

There is an easier way out of this painful cycle, and I am here to remind you: YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY.

Here are a few ways you can start today:

 

  • Create a vision (draw it if you need to!) for what you want your space to look and feel like (this helps you determine how much stuff you’ll have in each room; leave some empty space reserved for the future)
  • Set aside 30 minutes each week to work on reorganizing one area
  • Review your stashes and junk drawers to gain clarity on why you are keeping certain things
  • Have a realistic plan for what to do with too many sentimental items (keep them in labeled storage containers, take a photo to keep the memory and donate/discard the actual thing, use organizational products to categorize and put things away from view, etc.)
  • Use computerized planning and scheduling tools (to hold you accountable to these changes)

 

And while you’re sorting, try to maintain as much focus and self-discipline as you can. It can be very mentally draining to part with things that you feel emotional attachment to. Just know this will only benefit you in the long run.

Let’s begin by rating your level of commitment to getting your spaces organized:

 

  • On a scale of 1 to 10, how committed are you to edit, declutter, and organize the space? (level 1 is not committed at all, and level 10 is 100%, fully committed)

 

 

Download these free organizing assessments to track your progress in all areas!

 

 

Sometimes while getting organized, you don’t see the visible result right away and this can get discouraging. With this assessment, you will rate where you are today and re-access your level of satisfaction in a month. Oftentimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised about how several areas on the assessment wheel have automatically gone up without you having to even think about it!

 

It’s very motivating and inspiring to see this kind of progress!

Ask yourself these questions to decide what you will keep, donate, or no longer need:

 

  • Do I honestly love it?
  • Do I use it weekly, monthly, or yearly?
  • When was the last time I thought about this item or used it?
  • Do I realistically need this item in my life going forward?
  • Did I even remember I owned this?
  • How many duplicates of the same item do I have?
  • What would be the worst possible scenario if I donated or passed it on?
  • In what situation would I realistically need or want this?
  • What would I like to have more space for?
  • Have my job or hobbies changed and it’s time to let some things go?
  • What keeps me awake at night or gives me stress and anxiety?
  • Am I committed to scheduling time, effort, and/or money to fix or repair this item?

 

 🤍 Invest time into YOU

 

Does this feel attainable for you?

 

You will feel so much better after clearing just a couple piles! Remember to start with the biggest piles or the ones that bother you the most in order to create a dramatic, visible result right off the bat.

 

Comment below and tell me about your next organizing goal as a commitment to yourself!

 

Set a reminder in your phone to follow up in a week and let me know which strategies worked for you! Or maybe you’ll have a new tip for me?

 

Excitedly waiting to hear all about your progress!

 

 

 

 

Need more help with decluttering?

I created the How to Organize Your Household Papers course to help walk you through the decluttering process. It includes sections on foundational organizing skills, setting up filing systems, creating household systems, and more bonus videos to make sure you’ve reached your goals.

For further details on the course and to purchase, go here:

https://sherry.mykajabi.com/store/PSNymLQL