#2013alive: Start by Sorting

I’m an organizer at heart, and have been all my life, so I’ve been looking forward to our #2013alive May theme since the very beginning!

It can drive those around me up the wall, but I truly feel that all is right with the world when the throw pillows on the couch are arranged just so, the sink and dishrack are empty, and there aren’t any socks or computer cables lying on the floor. I’ve even been known to “face” my pantry drawers like a grocery store—a habit that I’ve picked up from years of working at a health food shop.

I might be an extreme case, but the sense of calm that comes from seeing your clean, tidy house can be felt by many. It’s why we buy storage containers and wistfully flip through home décor magazines. But the truth is that a few simple steps, plus minimal ongoing upkeep can keep annoying clutter out of our living spaces—and everyone can do it!

Week 1: Sorting

We’re starting slow, and this week is about sorting things. Check out our May 12 Months of Wellness article for the how-to. Basically, you choose an area (whether it’s a room, a closet, or even a junk drawer), clear out all the clutter, and sort everything into four boxes:

• Put away
• Storage (things that will be kept, but out of sight)
• Donate/sell
• Trash

For a while, things are going to look a whole lot worse before they look better, and that’s okay! When you’re done, trash the trash and put away the put away. We’ll deal with storage and donate/sell next week.

Follow us!

Are you sorting various rooms around your house this week? Drop us a line via blog or Facebook comments, or by using the Twitter hashtag #2013alive to let us know how you’re doing on your 2013 journey!

Plus, tune in to find out how we’re doing by checking our ongoing Twitter, Facebook, and blog posts. While you’re at it, download May’s goal sheet to track your progress.