Staring down a huge pile of holiday detritus and about to organize all of it? Hold the phone! Please attend to master organizer Shira Gill‘s tip #1, below, about editing before you organize.
We’re thrilled to partner with Shira (whose new book Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe and Life we love) for the introduction of Hold Everything, a sleek new line of home organization products.
Shira is, in her words, “a stuff and life editor: a hybrid of home organizer, stylist, and life coach. I help people clear physical and mental clutter and simplify every aspect of their lives through programs, workshops, and my new book, Minimalista.” She wants to help you “edit, organize, and elevate your home (and life) one small project at a time.”
So check out the product and Shira’s book, and read on to snag her masterful tips for keeping calm and organizing your way right through 2022.
1. Declutter Before Organizing
It’s so obvious when a pro spells it out, but before you take every single spice in your kitchen including the ones way past their due dates and organize them all, do an edit: “Organized clutter is still clutter,” says Shira. “Make sure to edit before organizing your belongings.” That means everything: toys; spices; the cutlery drawer. All of it.
Hold Everything Stacking Spice Jar Stadium
Hold Everything In-drawer Flatware Organizer
2. Have a Plan Before You Shop
“Organizing without a plan is one of the most common home organizing mistakes,” says Shira. “Reduce the clutter before you invest in product. Take stock of what you want to store, then make a specific list of storage needs before you shop.” Otherwise, you’re looking at purchasing too-big shelves, those that don’t fit, or drawers you won’t use. You get the picture. Speaking of which, “measure or take a snap of your space,” as Shira says, so the job isn’t left to memory alone.
3. Zone Your Possessions by Type and Usage
“Set up intuitive systems to help you simplify your space and your life,” says Shira. That means grouping like with like, and “containing items by type and usage.” So, yes, all the dried goods should go together. Subdivide beyond that: Finishing oils can go in one caddy. Snacks can go together on a shelf in clear containers, so you can reach for the right one quickly. As Shira explains, “Organization is not about perfectionism; it’s about being intentional and purposeful so you can find what you need with ease.”
Hold Everything Meal Prep Food Storage, 10 Piece Set
Hold Everything Stacking Glass Canisters
Hold Everything Metal Powder Coat Wine Rack
4. Ask Yourself Clarifying Questions
A thing many people do, says Shira, is “asking yourself questions that are rooted in scarcity thinking.” As she goes on to explain, “Avoid the questions: ‘Could this be useful one day?’ (It’s one that’s rooted in fear and obligation.) ‘Did someone gift this to me?’ (Just because it was a gift doesn’t mean you have to have it for the rest of your life.) ‘Did I pay a lot for this item?’ Cost is already sunk, so let’s move on.” Instead, consider: “Is this item aligned with my current goals?” “Is it what I have envisioned in my current home?” “Would I buy this for full price today?” “Is this item worth the space it’s taking up in my home?” Organization is all about using top quality storage to enhance your space and declutter your mind. Asking these questions are a critical step in achieving that.
5. Identify a Home for Your Items
Whether it’s local charities, non-profits, textile and creative reuse centers, or schools, “think outside the box,” says Shira, “and use your local community.” Ask your pre-school teacher, local theater companies, and any organizations that can re-use. (Shira is big on sustainability!) Neighborhood groups might include your local “Buy Nothing” group or Craigslist Free. And don’t forget parent groups! They’re great for kids’ stuff. The products that make the cut are ready for organizing.
Inspired yet? So are we. Get the book!
1 comment
Love all your products