Why Organize?

We’ve all had the experience of walking into a chaotic and cluttered space. It doesn’t feel good. Notice I didn’t say “it doesn’t look good.” Sure, it looks awful, but how it looks affects how we feel, and that’s really what matters. Simply stated, getting organized feels good—physically and emotionally. Read on for the top three benefits of an organized space.

Getting organized can reveal what’s important to you and what is literally and figuratively taking up too much space in your life.

Getting Organized Reduces Stress

There’s a theory that disorganized spaces and clutter create excessive visual stimuli that interfere with our ability to focus and relax. Makes sense. But, I’d go so far as to say that objects give off energy and that even if you walked into a disorganized room blindfolded, you’d still feel like something was off. In other words, energy doesn’t flow well in disorganized spaces and that makes us feel bad on many levels. You feel nervous and can’t stop thinking about the to-do list… you feel frustrated because you can’t find anything when you need it, or find it at all…you’re embarrassed about how your home looks and don’t feel comfortable having people over and dread having someone stop by unexpectedly.

When your space is organized, you can relax, focus—and feel good about sharing it with other people.

Getting Organized Saves Money

You’ve probably heard about disorganization leading to buying multiples of a particular item because you didn’t realize you already had it. Not so much of an issue in New York apartments where it’s hard to fit even one of each item let alone multiples. But, being disorganized leads to losing money in other sneaky ways. Does any of this sound familiar? You’re regularly late getting out the door because your closet’s a mess and it takes forever to figure out what to wear, or you spend 15 minutes searching for your keys/phone/building pass, which means you need to take an Uber or taxi instead of the subway. You forget (or never found) your metro card, your headphones, your phone charger, etc. and end up buying new ones to get you through the day. You want to make coffee or a bite to eat at home, but you’re so late getting out the door that you end up buying breakfast yet again. Maybe you’re so late you miss a flight.

When your space is organized, your day flows more smoothly and you’re less likely to spend money on things you don’t really need or want. Like a $25 rush hour Uber ride.

Getting Organized Creates a Positive Ripple Effect

The process of getting organized can reveal what’s important to you and also what is literally and figuratively taking up too much space in your life. More shoes than days in the year? An entire cabinet of protein powders, supplements, and a closet full of free weights and bands? Enough books to start your own library? Fashion, fitness, reading… all great interests, but not when they’re literally taking over your life. Once you get control of your physical space, you’ll feel more relaxed and will have more time and energy to devote to your favorite interests and also to other important things like career, finances, and relationships.

When your space is organized and reflects who you are and who you want to be, it opens the door to positive changes.