Follow These Organizing Tips for a Happier Life

Inspired by “Tidying Up” on Netflix? Us, too! And today, we have tips on how to get your KonMari on at home from Cathy Hannah Pérez, the 159th worldwide certified KonMari Organizing Consultant. Cathy coaches her clients through organizing projects (professional or personal) to create their best lives imaginable. You can reach her at cathyhannahperez@gmail.com or checkout her website, cathyhannahperez.com.

Organized Home + Gratitude = Happy Life, by Cathy Hannah Pérez

Who believes an organized home equates to a happier life? Who believes organizing one’s home leads to a more grateful attitude? Both statements are true. Organizing may sound mundane, but when you organize your home for maximum efficiency and only surround yourself with what you truly want and require, somehow the universe works to create more harmony and serenity, thus more happiness overall.

Here are four home organizing tips for creating a happier life.

1. Organize by category, not location. The advantage in doing this is that you will have a visual accounting of how much you have of one category. This is especially useful if you’re hoping to budget better. It helps to know what you have and what you will buy later.

Why it makes you happier: Engaging in an inventory of all your belongings will help you decide what you really want to keep and what items can be let go with gratitude, but no guilt.

2. Show gratitude to all your possessions. When you have decided what belongings to let go of, be sure to thank the items and release them with positive energy. Not only will you feel happier, but also you will be sending out good karma to the next owner.

Why it makes you happier: Gratitude is a special kind of conduit for purposeful ideas; meaningful gestures and constant happiness. By showing gratitude for all you possess, you will be letting the universe know you live in abundance. The universe will then reward you with more positive life experiences.

3. Give all your items a “home.” When you have physically inventoried all your belongings, only keep what you absolutely adore. Be sure all your items have “homes” to go to after being used. An organized space means that most, if not all, of your belongings have a dedicated space. This shows gratitude (which can increase your happiness meter — see above!) and makes it easier to find what you actually need on a daily basis.

Why it makes you happier: It is amazing how much calmer life can be when your time is not tied up with mindless worry over lost keys, missing charging cords, or non-matching socks. Efficiency is a byproduct of being organized. Efficiency leads to more free time. That should make you happier for sure.

4. Be intentional about what you bring into your space. After you have tidied up your surroundings, you probably will notice less stress and more motivation. Maybe you feel relief? Perhaps you feel calm or serene? Pay attention to these feelings. Hopefully, you will have a sense of completeness. You have all that you require in your home to be productive and happy.

When you are out and about and impulsively want to buy something unnecessary or an item that won’t advance your life’s goals, stop. Will the item find a “home” in your space or serve a useful purpose? Those few seconds taken to discern if you truly need the item is a sure sign that your mind is honed in on what makes your life more fulfilled and what does not.

Why it makes you happier: The mere act of asking what to bring into your newly tidied space is a signal of epic proportions. Your mind is focusing on your future happiness and success.

Now, let’s recap!

• Organize by category, not location
• Show gratitude to all your possessions
• Give everything a “home”
• Be intentional about what you bring into your space

You know the feeling when you are “in the flow”? Imagine having that clarity and focus every moment of everyday in your home. It is possible when you are organized and intentional about your surroundings. Your mindset shifts from worry to gratitude — and that means more happiness.

Have you used any of these tips to organize your home? How did it change you? —Cathy Hannah Pérez