As a little girl, my cupboards were the stuff of legends. Organising them became a game, where every item, whether mine or my friends’ (you know who you are!), had a special place. But moving to England, with its charming, yet sometimes confined spaces, taught me a crucial lesson: organisation is half the story. The true challenge? Mastering decluttering.

Space, Babies, and the Tetris Dilemma

Growing up, my idea of organisation was purely categorising items and placing them neatly – I had the luxury of space. But moving to England was a wake-up call. Here, I was in a tight spot, literally. Every attempt to find something felt like a round of Tetris. And with less space, once things got out, they seldom found their way back.Then, the plot thickened with the arrival of our babies. Along with them came a sea of baby gear, toys, and clothes. Suddenly, organising wasn’t enough. My old methods failed repeatedly, and I soon found myself drowning in stuff.

It was clear: to truly be organised, first, I had to master decluttering.

Organising vs. Decluttering: More Than Just Semanticsorganising

  • Organising involves systematically arranging items for easy access and use. It’s about implementing organisation products based on how often and in what manner items are used. This phase can be thrilling, especially when scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration. But a word of caution: let organising be your reward after decluttering.
  • Decluttering is about making tough choices. It’s deciding what to retain and what to let go. Each item often carries memories and emotions, making decluttering an emotionally taxing process.

The Pitfalls of Skipping Decluttering

declutteringJump into organising before decluttering, and you’ll find yourself in familiar chaos before long. Even with the most beautiful storage solutions, you’ll:

  • Grapple with the Tetris dilemma.
  • Spend needless hours sorting items.
  • Face organised clutter.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Grasping the distinction between decluttering and organising has profound benefits:organising

  • Identifying Root Issues: Recognising the need for decluttering can highlight underlying tendencies to accumulate, helping address hoarding habits or emotional attachments.
  • Efficiency: Grasping the distinction ensures you’re not spending time, effort, and money on organising items that should be decluttered.
  • Economic Benefits: Instead of buying more storage solutions, decluttering might reveal that you don’t need additional storage at all, saving you money.
  • Time-saving: An efficiently decluttered and organised space reduces the time spent looking for items. Everything has its place.
  • Boosted Confidence: Knowing the difference empowers you with the tools to tackle disorderly spaces with the confidence to know when it’s time to declutter and when it’s time to organise.
  • Sustainability: When you declutter, you notice how much you buy. This helps you make better choices and live in a way that’s better for the planet.

Conclusion

Organising and decluttering may seem intertwined, but understanding their distinct roles is important. Start with decluttering to lay a solid foundation, and then reward yourself with the joy of organising. This approach ensures a serene, functional, and most importantly, sustainable living space.

If you feel like you are constantly battling with clutter in your home, this guide might help.  It gives you five quick and easy ways you can start doing today to get your home more decluttered and organised over time.  You can download it here!

If you are in the organising phase, you can grab a list of my favourite organising items here. But remember, declutter first ????

If you have not yet grabbed my list of favourite organising items, you can grab it here! 

Until next time!

Suzanne