I'm often accused of being organized. How did it happen? Is the skill hereditary or can it be learned?

Let's face it, being organized comes more easily to some of us than it does to others. My sister once told me that she loves a clean house...and one day hopes to have one. So much for heredity. But comfort level does have a say in how organized we are, or are not.

Some people are quite comfortable with messy surroundings. That is, until they have to be somewhere and can't find their car keys. It's at that moment they desire organization. Instead of waiting for the frustrating moment, why not get organized right now?

Order is a good thing. If you know where everything is, you'll be able to find it at a moment's notice. This alleviates the anxiety of looking for those car keys and having to be late for an appointment, or calling your boss to tell him you're running late. Again.

Order lets you start your morning in a clean kitchen rather than having to wash last night's dishes in order to eat breakfast. Someone with depression is often advised by their doctor to get rid of the clutter. Unfortunately, when in a depressed state, that may be a difficult time to begin. If being organized isn't your thing, but you want it to be, why not start with a few easy tips on how to head in the right direction.

1. You must decide to part with "stuff."

Hanging on to everything you've ever owned is not helping. Do one room at a time so the task won't seem overwhelming. Breaking down the job gives it that short-term do-able feeling.

Start in one area, such as your spare room closet, and dig in. Have three large boxes nearby. One marked trash, another marked give away and the last one is for things you want to keep. Examine each item and be honest with yourself. Do you really need it, or would it be a kindness to give it to someone else who could use it? Sorting becomes easier when you know you're contributing to someone in need.

2. Once clean, keep it clean

This will be a new habit to shoot for. Your old habit was to let things pile up until one day you actually see this big mountain of work. Mountains are hard to break down. Don't let them grow in the first place.

There is one exception to this rule. Laundry. Some people get nervous about the laundry piling up. They like it to get done and stay done. They're called laundry piles for a reason. Don't bother worrying about it building up during the week. That what laundry does, that's its job! Once you have a good pile, then wash clothes and let the new pile do its thing again.

3. No more paper piles

Do sort through your piles of paperwork. Toss everything you don't need. For important paperwork such as income tax records, consider scanning them to your computer then onto a disk. Imagine how much space (and mess) this will save.

4. Simplify

Do you need all the furniture in your home? Is some of your clutter caused by having too many possessions? Keep the furniture you need, or that has sentimental attachment and sell the rest. Pack away, or better yet give away, knick knacks and other dust-catchers.

5. Give your home a thorough cleaning, or hire someone else to do it.

Once you've experienced the freedom that being organized brings. You'll never want to go back to clutter again.

Learn more about this author, Lana Stockton.
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