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How to Get Organized: Simplify Your Life
- Xtreme Audacity
- Jul 2
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 8
Does your home or workspace feel more like a source of stress than a place of peace and productivity?
Are you constantly moving piles from one surface to another or from one room to another, hoping someday you'll “get around to it”?
Do you feel like clutter is stealing your space, time, energy, money, and most importantly, your peace of mind?
You’re not alone. Many of us are juggling busy schedules, family responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, leaving little room to breathe, let alone get organized. But here’s the truth: living and working in chaos doesn’t have to be your norm.
The good news is, getting organized doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategy and mindset, you can transform your space and reclaim your peace. If you've been dreaming of creating an organized life but keep getting stuck on where to begin, this blog is going to do that for you.
In this blog, I’ll be giving what I believe are the 5 necessary phases of organizing a session and my top 5 tips, plus a bonus tip. I’ll also walk you through a proven strategy on how to get organized one zone at a time. Whether you're drowning in paper, overwhelmed by clothes, or unsure where to start, this is your guide to simplifying your life, one space at a time.
Let’s walk through a process that will help you simplify your life, space by space, while creating habits that support long-term organization.
Note: Remember, everything in this blog is contingent on how you live, work, and play. If your daily routine and lifestyle aren’t considered, then everything you do will be pointless.
Five Essential Phases of Organization
Before you jump into organizing your home, it’s important to follow a proven process. These five phases are the foundation of any successful organizing session and will guide you as you bring order to each area of your space.
Phase 1: Make Room – Before you start purging & sorting any area, quickly clear the floor, removing anything that prevents you from moving freely and safely. Throw away trash, place clothes in a basket, and create a pile for miscellaneous items that will be sorted later. This will provide an instant sense of gratification and give you more space to work in.
Phase 2: Purging – This is when you are ridding yourself of (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, quantity, condition, or feeling. Removing anything that no longer serves a purpose, fits your lifestyle, or brings joy. Ask yourself: Would I buy this again today if I didn’t already own it? This question can powerfully shift your perspective and help you create space for what really matters.
Phase 3: The Quick Sort – This sorting happens simultaneously while purging. While you’re purging, sort items into five categories: keep, donate, sell, trash, and relocate (these are the general categories, there will be some additional ones listed below). Having designated piles keeps the process efficient and prevents decision fatigue.
Phase 4: The Detailed Sort & Categorizing – After the initial quick sort, it’s time to dig deeper. This involves breaking down your keep pile into detailed categories. Ex. Long sleeves, short sleeve shirts, dress shirts, Cami’s etc. Grains, baking, snacks etc. First aid, hair products, body products, facial Products. The more specific your categories, the easier it will be to maintain an organized system. This detailed sorting helps when it’s time to put the items in their new home.
Phase 5: Organize & Beautify – Once you’ve categorized your items, arrange them in a way that’s both functional and visually pleasing. Use new shelving, containers, dividers, labels and storage solutions that work for your space and your lifestyle. The system you create should feel intuitive and make daily routines easier, not harder. Don’t overthink it. Think about how you get ready in the morning, your daily routine and how you prepare for bed at night.
Note: Before we move forward I want you to know that you must put a maintenance schedule in place to maintain every area you organize. I will go into more detail on the next blog.
Tips
💡 Tip #1: Use a folding table to provide extra surface space for purging & sorting. This tip can be applied to every area you are working on for increased efficiency and organization.
💡 Tip #2: You should prioritize organizing areas where items from other spaces are likely to end up. For example, if you have clothes in your bedroom that belong in your closet, start by organizing your closet first. This way, when you begin organizing your bedroom, you'll already have an organized closet for the clothes, making the process more efficient.
💡 Tip #3: Purchase organizing containers based on what you have after decluttering, not for the clutter you started with.
💡 Tip # 4: Stay focused! If you are reading this, it is likely that you are one that gets easily distracted. Do your best to stay focused on one room at a time. Even if they are closely related. Ex: If you are working on the closet, resist the temptation to start organizing the bedroom. If you are working on the pantry, resist the temptation to start organizing the kitchen.
💡 Tip #5: Create a “By When” for a task that you want to complete. Ex: If you create a sell pile, “I am going to list this by (date) and if it doesn’t sell by (date) I will donate it.”
💡💡 Bonus Tip: The 20/20 rule is a decluttering strategy created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists. The rule states that you should consider letting go of an item if you can replace it for less than $20 and can replace it in less than 20 minutes. This rule is for small and random items around your home, and may not apply to sentimental, clothing, or other items.
Focus Zones: Room - by - Room Transformation
Creating an organized life happens one step at a time. Here’s a zone-by-zone breakdown of how to transform your home without the overwhelm.
These are in no particular order. You have to start in the space that will give you the greatest relief if it was done 1st. Look at your greatest pain points to see what’s causing you the most stress.
Zone 1: Pantry and Kitchen
Note: If you have a growing family, it may be best to start in the kitchen area, and if you decide to start in the kitchen area you want to start in the pantry more specifically. Refer to tip #2.
Zone 1a: Pantry & Fridge (Some things in the kitchen may need to go in the pantry and vice a versa)
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort pantry and fridge (one at a time).
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
You can only donate foods unexpired non-perishable items.
Dispose of expired and unwanted food items.
Relocation only qualifies for the pantry. Items that can go in the kitchen, or maybe should be or can go in the garage etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure the space where the food will go back & then purchase organizing and food storage containers.
Tip 3 - This may sound counterintuitive but if you don’t know what you are keeping you may purchase wrong.
Organize & Beautify.
Tip: Labeling containers makes it easy to restock and helps everyone in your household stay organized.
Zone 1b: Kitchen (Organize Pantry 1st Refer to tip #2)
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort dishes and small appliances that are no longer serving your life.
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Relocation only qualifies for items that are in the kitchen but maybe better stored in a different zone of the house.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase for organizing items for spices, utensils, drawers, dishes & pots and pans.
Examine the flow of your kitchen.
Organize & Beautify the kitchen based on efficiency and productivity.
Organize & Beautify.
Note: It's best to work on the closet and bedroom that are part of the same suite. Ex. Master closet & bedroom. Kids closet and bedroom. When you are working on suites you always want to start in the closet 1st. Refer to tip #2.
Zone 2: Closets
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort clothing, shoes, and handbags one category at a time.
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Donate or sell unwanted clothing, accessories etc.
Relocate clothing, accessories etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase hangers, shelving & storage bins.
Organize & Beautify.
Storing the clothes, shoes, and handbags by type, season, and/or color (use a color wheel for the most pleasant effect).
Note: You may notice that some items currently in your closet might be better suited for the dresser and vice versa, based on your personal preferences and routine. Keep this in mind, especially if your dresser is in the bedroom and you’re not organizing both spaces at the same time.
Zone 3: Bedroom
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort clothes in drawers and then the surfaces of bedside tables and dressers.
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Donate or sell unwanted clothing, accessories, furniture, decor etc.
Relocate clothing, toys, furniture etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase drawer dividers and organizer for what’s left.
Organize & Beautify.
Storing the clothes by type, season, and/or color (use a color wheel for the most pleasant effect).
General rule: Start in the linen closet 1st. This may change, depending on the flow of your home. Refer to tip #2.
Zone 4: Linen Closet & Bathroom
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort linen closet, counter, drawers, and cabinets
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Donate or sell unused & unwanted furniture & decor.
You can only donate hygiene items from your bathroom that are new, unopened, and unexpired.
Dispose of any opened, and expired unwanted hygiene items.
Properly dispose of expired & unwanted medications and beauty products.
Relocate items that go in a different bathroom or with the cleaning supplies etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase drawer dividers, organizers, and containers for what’s left.
Organize & Beautify.
Zone 5: Living & Dining Room
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort inside and the surface of the entertainment consoles, shelves, end tables & coffee tables. (one at a time)
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Donate or sell unused & unwanted furniture & decor.
Relocate clothing, toys, furniture etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase organizing and storage containers for entertainment consoles, shelving etc.
Organize & Beautify.
Note: These spaces take a little longer because they usually have tons of smaller items. Which is why I have them listed below.
Depending on how large the space is and the level of clutter you may need to create zones inside of the zone.
Ex. Start with all of the books (Zone 1) in the playroom and then move to the action figures and dolls (Zone 2) or start with the gardening section (Zone 1) in the garage and then move to the tools (Zone 2).
Start and finish one zone before moving to another zone inside of that zone.
Zone 6: Playroom, Garage and Storage Space Cleanup
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1) (this step is crucial in these areas)
If there is no walkway, create a walkway.
If there is a walkway, make it wider.
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort inside and the surface of the entertainment consoles, shelves, end tables & coffee tables. (one at a time)
Create 5 piles: Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Donate or sell unused & unwanted toys, tools, furniture, decor etc.
Relocate clothing, toys, furniture etc.
Garage - If possible, use the driveway as a space to sort.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase shelving, organizing and storage containers
Organize & Beautify.
Zone 7: Home Office Organization
Phase 1 - Make room. (Refer to tip #1) (this step is crucial in these areas)
Phase 2 & 3 - Purge & quick sort through loose papers that are sitting around the office floor and surfaces first.
Do not open old or new mail until a new filing system has been created.
Create 5 piles (non paper item): Keep, donate, sell, trash & relocate.
Create 3 piles (for papers): Trash, file and shred.
Donate or sell unused & unwanted office supplies, furniture, decor etc.
Relocate office supplies, furniture, decor etc.
Phase 4 - Sort & categorize what’s left as detailed as possible.
Create or update your filing system that is detailed as possible with clear labels.
Create a strategy and system for managing incoming mail and documents.
Phase 5 - Organize & Beautify.
Measure & purchase organizing and storage items and folders.
Organize & Beautify.
Conclusion
I tried to make this blog as detailed as possible yet as simple as possible because I know this can be a lot. Staying focused (Refer to tip #4) One zone at a time is really the key to your success. Yes, following all of these steps is a major part of the process, but if you can’t stay focused on one zone at a time, you will get overwhelmed and frustrated which will cause burnout and you will give up.
Next week's blog we will talk about how to STAY ORGANIZED. Organizing your home is about more than tidy drawers and labeled bins. It’s about creating peace, structure, and clarity in your daily life. When your home is in order, your mind feels lighter, your routines run smoother, and you gain back valuable time and energy.
Living an organized life means setting up systems that serve you, not stress you. It’s about making intentional choices that support your values, your goals, and your joy.
So don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. Take it one room, one category, one step at a time. And remember, it’s not magic—it’s a lifestyle.
Here are a few products to support your organizing journey!
(This post contains affiliate links to Amazon from which I make a small commission with no extra costs added to you.)
If this blog inspired you to get started or keep going, be sure to check out my brand new podcast The Organized Life, now available on all major podcast platforms. I dive even deeper into these topics with practical strategies, client stories, and real solutions that you can implement today.
Thanks for being here, and remember—It’s a lifestyle, not magic.
Cheers to a successful organizing journey!!
Until Next Time
Xtreme Audacity LLC
Charlotte Professional Organizer
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