Top 10 Organizing Fails (and How to Fix Them)

Have you ever started an organizing project with the best intentions, only to end up feeling overwhelmed and right back where you started? You’re not alone. It's a common issue, but luckily, it's one that can be easily fixed with the right approach. Here’s how to counter common organizing pitfalls and create a home that’s both neat and functional.

Betsy’s Top 10 Organizing Fails (and Fixes!):

1. The Fail: Rushing to the store for pretty containers before sorting through what you actually want to keep.

👉 The Fix: Declutter first! Once you know what’s staying, you can choose storage options that actually work (and save money).

2. The Fail: Moving clutter around instead of dealing with it. In the biz, we call this sh** shifting. And hey, we all totally do it - even organizers from time to time. But this is not going to give you an organized home. When you move something somewhere else, it’s just a postponed decision. Putting off that decision just leads to more clutter.

👉 The Fix: Commit to decluttering, put it in your calendar. Then, make a concrete decision for each item: Keep, donate, trash, or relocate. If you don’t have a designated spot for something, ask yourself if you truly need it.

3. The Fail: The “Dump & Run” closet cleanout. Pulling everything out of a closet, getting overwhelmed, and shoving it all back in - messier than before.

👉 The Fix: If this is you, try decluttering in sections. Instead of tackling the whole closet at once, start with just shoes, sweaters, or handbags so you can finish what you start.

4. The Fail: Keeping every old bill, warranty booklet, and appliance manual just in case.

👉 The Fix: Most manuals can be found online, and you only need to keep tax documents for 7 years (or 3 years for most paperwork). Create a small, labeled file for must-keep papers.

5. The Fail: Overfilling storage spaces.

👉 The Fix: When you overfill, you don’t allow space for future organization. Leave some breathing room in drawers, shelves, and closets so a few new things can be added without straining. (A.K.A the potato masher that blocks the drawer from ever being accessed again. Do not allow this calamity to befall you. Be strong.)

6. The Fail: Keeping loved sentimental items in inconvenient or deep storage areas.

👉 The Fix: You are keeping your favorite memorabilia because it’s special to you! Burying those items means you won’t get to enjoy them. Display special keepsakes in shadow boxes or on shelves, or store them in a labeled, accessible bin so that you can take them out and enjoy them.

7. The Fail: Mixing “action” and “reference” paper.

👉 The Fix: Paper piles are stressful because we know they represent things we need to do. Keep all paper requiring an action like “to pay” or “to schedule” in one specific place. Place paper kept for reference (taxes, insurance, etc) in your filing system, or at least in a separate location from action items.

8. The Fail: Thinking you can completely overhaul your home in one weekend (leading to burnout and unfinished piles.)

👉 The Fix: Break your organizing efforts into bite-sized wins. Try a 15-minute decluttering sprint each day instead. Small progress adds up to long-term success!

9. The Fail: Making the system too complicated.

👉 The Fix: Organizing systems shouldn’t be that hard! The easier it is to maintain, the more likely you are to stick with it. When in doubt, declutter.

10. The Fail: Ignoring maintenance organizing.

👉 The Fix: It feels great when your home is properly organized! But it WILL come back if you don’t maintain the work. Schedule regular check-ins to ensure systems are still working and adjust as needed. It’s much faster to do 10 minutes here and there than to start over completely a year later.

Avoid letting organizing become an overwhelming chore. By sidestepping these common fails and implementing these straightforward fixes, you can keep your home orderly and functional. Remember, effective organizing is about enhancing your lifestyle, not complicating it.

Feeling stuck? I’m here to help make organizing simple and enjoyable. Reach out for a free 30-minute consultation to get started on transforming your space today!

Happy Organizing!