You know one of my big strategies is to NOT organize, just declutter.
It makes my life easier, helps me get started, and has made a huge difference in our home.
Really, it was a game changer.
It also keeps me from buying a bunch of containers I may never use. Not that I never use containers.
But when I do, it generally works like this:
In the middle of a decluttering project, I run across an empty storage container that is clutter. Like, it’s stacked or thrown or piled somewhere, empty. As I pick it up and start asking my two decluttering questions, I often think of a place in my home where I can use it. A place I’ve JUST decluttered. Since that place was decluttered (though not technically organized), it has been functioning better and I’ve gained an understanding of how that space works in our home.
That understanding helps me have a ba-jillion percent more realistic perspective on which organizing products would actually help.
So when I was doing some decluttering in my garage recently and ran across this pretty basket, I knew just where to put it.
Please ignore the invisible-until-I-saw-the-photo cracker box and other assorted items.
It’s better.
I like better.
And when I ran across this handy-dandy photo-sized box, I went and solved this better-than-it-was-before decluttered space that had been bugging me with its makeshift solution:
What? You don’t see the “new” photo storage solution? (But you do see the dust?)
I stuck it down here:
What? You would have dusted and straightened before you took your after picture? Yeah, I guess that would have a good idea.
Yay for using things I already have.
--Nony
Sarah says
I cannot resist asking…
What’d you do with the box for the iron?
And was the iron in it?
Dana White says
Haha! No, it was full of photos! And I tossed the box.
Sarah says
Yep! I have containers sitting around waiting to be a home to something that I schemed up in my unorganized brain. Now they are exactly that…CLUTTER. But I did finally put containers I bought at least 6 months ago in the bathroom cabinet and now a couple of those drawers are a little less cluttered. Yeah me!
Carrie says
Nice job…I see the better. Did you put snacks into the basket? What will it’s purpose be on that shelf? Decor or to keep like items together?
Dana White says
Yep! And I’m loving it. I put the granola bars and fruit snacks all in there together, and it’s working great.
Carrie says
Super! That is what I would have used it for, too! Glad it is working well.
Kelekona says
I like the honesty in not dusting. It’ll get disturbed when that nice empty space acquires something.
Julia says
I like that you are so “REAL”. I doubt that any of us have our shelves dusted and straightened just perfectly. I like that you are honest with us and don’t pretend to be superwoman. Better is great! My husband always tells me that I am letting perfect get in the way of good. So good job! You are making your home nicer, cleaner, and more useable in tiny steps. That’s how we all should do it. That way the tiny steps are helping us stick with it more and longer. 🙂 Keep up the good work!!
Kristy K. James says
Ooh I like that! Letting perfect get in the way of good….
Orli says
I absolutely adore your post. I thought I was the only one! With problems! I often get cluttered with Decluttering I teams such as buskers clear drawers and so on.. My question to you is how to be successful in the long run when things are finally organized. Some areas in my house can be very organized and then a few months later I find myself in the same problem. I realize that I do not put things back where they belong I realize that I am the problem. How do I change my habits?
Dana White says
I recommend you read my e-book, Drowning in Clutter? https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/drowning-in-clutter-tried-and-true-decluttering-strategies/
Also this podcast: https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2014/10/040-decluttering-momentum-podcast/
KellyJMF says
One of the things Nony does so well is setting up organizing that matches her habits instead of organizing something and then having to change habits to match the new system.
In my house, everyone takes off their shoes and socks downstairs but all the laundry hampers are upstairs. So we ended up with random socks in the living room/hallway/etc. I put a small wicker basket on the stairs and now all the socks and other random laundry ends up there. So I have just one spot of things to bring upstairs (or more likely root around when bringing the laundry down).
Patricia says
I like better BETTER too.
As I’m slowly going through things and getting rid of them instead of packing to take with (on the move) I’m finding clutter that was designed to control clutter.
I tend to be like Julia ^^^^^ I let perfect get in the way of good.
When better is BETTER!
You inspire me… and like my Momma used to say about dust, “You can look at my dust, just don’t write your name in it! “
Kristy K. James says
Better. I like that. I need to strive for better, too.
Kristina says
Right now I just need to do anything, paper clutter is my downfall & bags I have a huge thing for bags! I end up using them all throughout the year just have run out of places to store things in our too small house. I strive for picked up most days as I just don’t have time to sort or declutter until the weekend & then get yelled at for wanting to clean! The kids however just want to go to Nana’s to watch TV since we don’t have cable. My cleaning gets shot down often & I get made out to be the bad guy when I put my foot down & say no to everyone! (Single mom problems)
Loree says
I want to tell you I have downloaded your book. Oh my goodness you are the first person who actually understands how my mind works. I can trip over something for months before picking it up. I am tired of the clutter. Your book is awesome. Just wanted to say thanks.
Maggie says
Honestly, I think my revelation this week is that all the decluttering in the world does not CLEAN my house. It really never feels clean unless I tackle a major chore each day of the week and stick with that cycle for a few weeks in a row. It’s like 15-20 minutes a day, plus kitchen and one load of laundry. That sounds pretty manageable, eh? I declutter for the chore the next day the night prior. It’s just a lot more manageable than “cleaning house”, as in, the whole thing at one time, and I am free to do other things as long as the one chore is done. No creative processes have to be involved, no amazing results, just the “ONE JOB”. It’s the only way my house ever feels under control and I’m not stressed, honestly. I can do more, or do a day ahead. It never looks all the way spotless, but it is always in a process of being cleaned. I know I’ll get to it on it’s day, so I’m not cringing about the stack of books on the coffee table. It can stay there until I dust next Tuesday. Monday night, it will be gone.
Monday: vaccuming and kitchen detox
Tuesday: dusting/catch up laundry/frig clean-out/
Wednesday: hard floors, bills, any leftover chores that didn’t get done Monday and Tuesday + one major decluttering job that is not getting done around other chores (a closet, a drawer)
Thursday: Mirrors/Baths/Errands/ Meal planning/Sheets
Friday: Toilets/Showers spot clean (if not deep cleaned the day prior), spruce hospitality spaces for drop-in guests the kids bring , run needed errands, bake, meal prep for weekends so I can enjoy.
Saturday: free for helping hubby with outdoor/extra chores/family events
Sunday: free for church except unloading/loading dishwasher, and perhaps a load of laundry to start the week with fresh jeans worn over the weekend.
Kristen says
Im really happy to read this. I worked hard the last 8 hours cleaning and organizing. But am so bummed that it’s not done and it’s not perfect.
But you know what?
IT’S BETTER!
TY so much!!
Kristen says
Oh! And something my Mom used to tell me as a kid: “Just pick up ten things.”
I still use that method. I have ADHD and can’t stick to one task for too long. Having small goals works well for me. Breaking down a big task into small tasks helps me.
Janet Siler says
My mother always said “If people come expecting to find dust, I think they should find some.” I didn’t know this till I was married a number of years so wish I’d known this from the get go!
Melissa says
This is the first post of yours that I’ve read. Found you on Facebook and now you have a new follower! I love this idea of better, not perfect. I’m a perfectionist, but always ill and in pain so my body gives up before my mind does. I think this could really help. Thank you so much! 🙂
Dana White says
Welcome, Melissa!!
Trouble OHara says
I am a new follower of perfect getting in the way of Better! With my problem of depression and being easily overwhelmed, a lot of times I think about trying to do a small housework task like cleaning and decluttering the bathroom but the idea of it having to be perfect (up to my mom’s standards when growing up!) gets to be too much for me and I stop before I even get started. My husband doesn’t expect perfect and appreciates any little thing I do. So I think I can apply this attitude of making it Better to small jobs to get started! Mentally I can handle Better. Also thank you for the pictures of your Better with dust and things still in it as that makes you much easier to relate to.
Lindsey E. says
You don’t need a basket or boxes of snacks out on a shelf. Keep all like things together, such as food with food and you will feel more organized. I’d put the snacks in the pantry. The kids are old enough to look in the pantry and see the snacks.
Susie says
We live in real homes with real children. Life should be fun, and with three boys that often means messy and seriously dirty. The food they require makes more mess. My projects, which do not seem to count when I look around a room, make even MORE mess. My house will never be magazine clean, but the constant decluttering and five minute pickups help so much.