My Favorite Tips from Outer Order Inner Calm
I was so excited when Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness came out because not only is it by my favorite author, Gretchen Rubin, it is also about one of my favorite things - organizing!
The book came out one year ago, in March 2019. And so, in honor of its anniversary, I decided to share some of my favorite tips from this book.
One of the best parts of Outer Order, Inner Calm is that it is a compilation of so many different ideas. Because people tackle projects so many different ways, and approach life from so many different perspectives - there is no one right way to organize. Or do pretty much anything else.
But as a professional organizer, I find myself sharing many of these ideas and tips with clients. Most are also ones that I have heard or seen other organizers use as well. Of course, that doesn’t mean that all of these will necessarily resonate with you - but the likelihood is that a couple of them will.
It may seem like I chose a lot of favorite tips, but the book has dozens more. These are just the ones that stood out to me as I read the book, and as I look back on it one year later.
Outer order reflects what’s happening now in my life - In the college season of life, you will be surrounded by textbooks and assignments. Babies and toddlers come along with countless necessary accessories. Even getting older comes with some additional house modifications and medications. Accepting that your phase of life contributes to what surrounds you is the first step to creating a home that serves your current needs.
Consider the three big questions of clutter. Do I need it? Do I love it? Do I use it? - There are so many questions that you can ask to determine if something should stay or go. These three are the basic ones, and always good to come back to.
Beware of the “endowment effect” - Once you own something it becomes oh-so-much harder to get rid of it. This happens most often with things like the free mug you got at that conference, the T-shirt from the fun run you did three years ago, or the pens you picked up at local conventions. Before you allow these things to enter your possession, take a moment to consider how much harder it will be to part with them after they have sat in your cupboard for months.
Fight waste by not acquiring - The vast majority of organizing problems could be solved if this message was taken to heart! Not only does too much stuff crowd your closet and cupboard, if you don’t value it - it is going to waste! Not to mention that it will likely end up in a landfill!.
Identify an exact place for everything - This is the organizing principle that transformed my habits and the one my clients often need the most help with. Establishing systems and homes for all of your items takes quite a bit of work at first, but it will save you hours of hunting and lots of decision fatigue for the rest of your life.
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good - This is a mantra that I repeat to myself often. It would be nice if you could organize your house from top to bottom, but if you can’t find the time, that doesn’t mean that tackling your closet or even a single drawer isn’t just as worthwhile. Also, the end product may not look like it was done by The Home Edit, but that’s okay because “good” counts just as much as “perfect”.
Beware of the “someday, someone” rationale - Just because someone in the universe could use this thing at some point in the future does not mean that you have to store it in your garage, or basement, or attic, or storage unit, or kitchen cupboard.
Three strikes and you’re out - This was an idea I hadn’t heard before I read this book, but I love it. If you think about getting rid of something three times, then you know you already should have done it. Just being reminded of this principle several things in my house I should pass along.
Identify the problem - This is key to solving any issue. Is the problem that your front entry is really too small (tougher issue to solve), or is it just difficult to navigate because there is no good way to store all the shoes (easier issue to solve)? Are you frustrated because having a new baby means that there are so many new items to keep track of (tougher issue to solve), or do you just not like having all the baby bottle pieces on your kitchen counter (easier issue to solve)? Once you have gotten to the heart of the issue, the solution will often present itself.
Is your clutter backward-looking or forward-looking? - Do you tend to keep things because of their significance in the past? Or because you think that you’ll need them in the future? You may not fall squarely into either of these camps, but just considering which you tend to deviate towards can help you loosen your grasp and let go of things that are no longer serving you.
Store thing at the store - I love this idea, and I’ll admit, I have to practice it every time I wander through Target. Just because something is beautiful or you think you may someday need something, doesn’t mean you necessarily have to buy it! It will be just as beautiful at the store. And if you really do end up needing that one thing at one point in the future, then you’ll know exactly where I find it - at the store.
It’s easier to keep up than to catch up - It may seem annoying to hang up your clothes at the end of a long week when all you want to do is collapse on the couch and reach for the remote, but future you will be so grateful later when you don’t have a pile of laundry, a stack of dirty dishes, or a pile of unopened mail.
Don’t get organized - Many people aren’t really ready to get organized because they haven’t gone through their things to determine what is currently serving them. Getting organized can sometimes be an excuse to hide away things that you no longer need. Be sure that you are only organizing the things that bring value and happiness to your life.
Confront deep clutter - This is where organizing often gets tough. The transformation in a closet or laundry room can often be accomplished in a couple of hours with a little bit of sorting, decluttering, and some nice product choices. However, the real work is often in tackling all of your photos, school paperwork, and kid’s artwork. Organizing these things is just as important, even if it isn’t as glamorous. It will be just as rewarding in the long run, even though it just takes a bit more time and effort to accomplish.
Beware of buying souvenirs - There is no easy way to handle this issue, although I have heard many suggestions over the years. I’m not someone who is particularly inclined towards purchasing souvenirs, but if you are, it is probably more beneficial to select something small to bring back (a shell, postcard, shot glass, spices from the area you visited). I also know many people enjoy curating a collection - purchasing the same thing in each place they visit, rather than just ending up with a hodgepodge of stuff.
Are you in the “season of stuff”? - While there are certainly minimalist moms out there, having little kids running around necessitates owning more than just a married couple would. Getting and staying organized is much easier when you accept the phase of life you are in. If you are in the “season of stuff”, it’s okay! You can definitely manage it all, but it is much easier to do when you are accepting rather than resisting it.
Make your bed - This small habit can seriously change your life. I have convinced several friends over the years to make their beds every morning and they have only ever thanked me for it! Establishing order in this one area of your life in the morning will give you a lasting sense of calm. And no matter what the day brings, you know you’ll be returning to this peaceful oasis at the end of the day.
Remind yourself, “I have plenty of room for the things that are important to me” - Whether you are organizing on your own, or with the assistance of a professional organizer, the goal isn’t to get rid of half of your belongings (or even any of them, if that is the choice you decide to make). There is no pressure to get rid of the things that matter to you, rather the goal is to elevate the things that you love so that they are honored and you can use/wear/look at them more often!
If you found some of these tips interesting or enlightening, then you would probably enjoy reading Outer Order, Inner Calm. I recommend it, and anything else written by Gretchen Rubin, very highly.
Gretchen Rubin concludes the book by saying, “When we look at our stuff, we see a reflection of ourselves. We’re happier when that stuff is in good order and includes things that we need, use, and love - because that reflection influences the way we see ourselves.” I wholeheartedly agree.
That ‘s why my business, Masterpeace Organizing, focuses on helping people ensure that the area around them reflects their best selves. Establishing outer order really does help to inspire inner calm.
Until next time,
Carly
Photo by Mason Joel Photography