3 Organizing Rules That Don’t Work for Everyone

If you’ve ever tried an organizing tip that everyone swears by, only to find that it makes your life harder, you’re not alone. The thing is, not everyone’s brain works the same way, so why should we all organize our homes the same way? Some popular organizing rules can actually make it harder to keep things tidy. Here are three rules you can toss out the window if they just aren’t working for you, and ways to work around them.

Key Takeaways

• Not every organizing rule works for every person. The trick is finding a system that works with your habits instead of against them.
• If out of sight means out of mind, try open shelves, baskets, and trays to keep things organized but visible.
• You don’t have to do a nightly or weekly reset to keep your home tidy.
• Combine small cleaning and organizing tasks with things you’re already doing, like putting away laundry or making dinner.
• Decluttering doesn’t need to mean getting rid of everything or spending an entire weekend cleaning out your house.
• Try getting rid of a few things here and there throughout the week instead of tackling everything at once.
• Don’t feel pressured to follow organizing trends. A system that makes your life easier is better than one that just looks good.

Making Sure Everything is Out of Sight

Sure, things look tidier when everything is put away, but for some people that’s just not an option. Out of sight means out of mind, so something put away can actually become a problem for some folks. 

If you’re one of those people who need to see what they have, there’s no need to give in to the pressure of having everything in drawers or cabinets. Create open areas where you can put things but still see them. That way they are tidy, but not hidden. For example,

• Open shelves instead of cabinets
• Baskets and organizers on your desk instead of stashing things in drawers
• A basket to hold your medications on the kitchen or bathroom counter 
• A tray on your bedside table to hold your glasses, charger, and other essentials

Resets

A recently common mantra in the organization world is, “Do a reset.” A reset is just a fancy word for tidying up so you can start the next day or week off with a fresh start. While it’s a good concept for some, it’s a no-go for others. Some personality types can get overstimulated when cleaning, which makes it a terrible thing to do right before bed. For others, it can put a lot of pressure on them to finish their free time with something that is less than relaxing.

If a reset sounds terrible to you, there are other options. Instead of one big reset, do little things here and there throughout the evening to get ready for the next day. Even better, combine it with something you already need to do. Pack lunches after you put away dinner. Pick out your outfit while you’re putting away laundry. Clean trash out of your car while you’re getting gas. 

Decluttering

No, I’m not advocating for you to let clutter overwhelm you. It’s just that the concept of decluttering can be a bit intimidating for some. It brings to mind massive cleanouts and getting rid of things that mean a lot to them until all they have left is a sterile room. For most, though, decluttering doesn’t need to be a big deal. If you feel like your home has become crammed with stuff, but feel like traditional decluttering tutorials just won’t work for you, make decluttering more of a process than one big task. Do little things a few times a week until you start seeing progress. Here are some ideas:

• Go through your mail pile and throw away anything you don’t need, and put away the rest.
• While you’re putting away laundry, grab one or two items you haven’t worn in a year and throw them into a donation box you keep in the closet. When the box is full, take it to the donation center.
• Go room by room. Walk around your house with a basket. Throw anything that isn’t where it belongs into the basket. Make another round, take things out of the basket, and put them where they do go.
• Set a timer and spend 15 minutes going through your dresser drawers. Get rid of holey socks, stretched-out undergarments, and things you never wear. 
• When putting away dishes, grab a few chipped mugs or cracked plastic cups out of the cabinet and throw them away.
• Go through your water bottle collection and toss or donate the ones you don’t use.
• Move that stack of books off of your nightstand and put them away or donate them if you don’t think you’ll ever read them. 

FAQ

What are some organizing rules that don’t work for everyone?

Keeping everything out of sight, doing daily resets, and tackling big decluttering projects are three common organizing rules that don’t work for everyone. Some people need to see their belongings, prefer to tidy as they go, or find it easier to declutter in small chunks.

Is it okay to keep things out in the open instead of putting them away?

Yes. If you tend to forget about things once they’re put away, open storage may work better for you. Try using baskets, trays, open shelves, and other organizers that keep things tidy without hiding them.

Do you really need to do a nightly reset?

No. A nightly reset can help some people, but it isn’t the only way to keep your home organized. If cleaning before bed stresses you out, try doing small tasks throughout the day or combining them with things you’re already doing.

How do you keep your house tidy without a cleaning routine?

Try tidying as you go. Put away a few things while you’re waiting for dinner to cook, deal with mail when you bring it inside, or pick up clutter while you’re walking from one room to another. Small tasks can keep messes from piling up without a strict schedule.

How do you declutter without getting overwhelmed?

Start small. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes, clean out one drawer, or get rid of a few things while doing another chore. You don’t need to empty an entire closet or spend a weekend sorting through everything to make progress.

Can you have too many organizing systems?

Yes. If your organizing system involves too many steps, containers, labels, or rules, you may find yourself avoiding it altogether. Try simplifying things so putting something away is just as easy as leaving it out.

What if traditional organizing methods don’t work for me?

Stop trying to force them. Think about what makes it difficult to stay organized, then find a way around it. If you forget things in drawers, use open storage. If big cleaning sessions overwhelm you, tackle smaller tasks. Your home doesn’t need to look like an organizing tutorial to work for you.

How do you find an organizing system that works for you?

Pay attention to where clutter collects and why. Do you leave things out because you need to see them? Do you avoid putting things away because their storage spot is inconvenient? Start by fixing those problems, then try different organizing methods until you find ones that make everyday life easier.