The article provides three easy tips on organizing home projects: 1) Plan the whole room before purchasing or changing anything, 2) Decide on big-ticket items first, and 3) Plan out all the pretty accents. This is a combination of tackling disorganization and using a three-ring binder exclusive to decorating.
When embarking on a decorating project, it’s essential to have a central place for storing your interior design ideas. Start by organizing what you already have and build a vision board to help visualize your ideas. Set a budget and create a room-by-room list to help you start small.
To organize your decor plan, start by choosing a color scheme and make a pin board for things you are shopping for. Keep your priority list and binder handy, and set a goal date for each step. Use the Whole House Home Decor Planner to think about all the decor and DIY projects involved in fixing up a room or space in your home.
In summary, organizing home projects can significantly enhance efficiency and productivity. With the right strategies and tools, you can manage your projects effectively and meet your goals. To get started, follow these tips and create an action plan in no time. Remember to be realistic about your lifestyle and choose colors that complement your decor style. By following these tips, you can create a solid, organized plan for improving your home this year.
📹 The Best Home Organizing Ideas for 2024
Here are the BEST Organizing ideas for your home for 2024! If you want to transform your messy or cluttered house into an …
What order should decorating be done?
When decorating a room, it is essential to start with a plan, which involves making structural changes such as adding or removing a fireplace, windows, or partitions, adding or changing fixings and fittings, painting the ceiling, and painting or papering the walls. To make the best decisions, it is crucial to work things through in your head and on paper first. A budget and plan should be the first steps in the decorating process, with the budget being the most important factor. If financial constraints are a significant part of the project, the budget should be the first step, setting the amount you can spend while factoring in a buffer for the unexpected.
How to arrange decor items?
In order to create a visually appealing display, it is recommended that odd numbers, diverse shapes and sizes, and the heights of accessories be considered. A variety of prints and textures should be employed, including those that are shiny, matte, patterned, plain, smooth, or rough. It is recommended that a template be used as a preliminary reference tool. Additionally, the inclusion of lamps or artwork from the surrounding area may enhance the display. This will result in the display appearing as a unified entity.
What are the 7 steps of a project?
The process of creating a project plan involves seven steps: defining goals and objectives, setting success metrics, clarifying stakeholders and roles, setting a budget, aligning on milestones, deliverables, and project dependencies, outlining a timeline and schedule, and sharing a communication plan. A project plan is crucial for keeping projects organized and on track, as it provides a clear roadmap, ensures resources are available, and holds everyone accountable.
The process begins with defining goals and objectives, followed by setting success metrics, clarifying stakeholder roles, setting a budget, aligning on milestones, deliverables, and project dependencies, outlining a timeline and schedule, and sharing a communication plan. The project planning stage, which follows project initiation and preceding execution, is crucial for ensuring the success of a project.
What are the 7 principles of interior design?
Interior design principles are guidelines used by designers to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. These principles include balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion and scale, emphasis, contrast, and details. Balance is crucial in creating an equilibrium by evenly distributing furniture and decorative objects within a room. It involves careful analysis of line, shape, color, and texture of objects. There are three types of balance: formal, informal, and radial. These principles can be applied to any room in a home, from the living room to the bathroom.
How to structure a creative project?
Creative project management involves setting constraints, brainstorming ideas, designing a prototype, seeking feedback, applying a Design Sprint framework, and evolving and adapting the process with each delivery. Creative agencies are at the forefront of this, redefining project management to suit the unique needs of design, software, video production, and advertising. Creative project management can be more beneficial than traditional PM frameworks and can be implemented from A to Z with practical examples.
How to organize decorating ideas?
The construction of a vision board represents an efficacious methodology for the organization of design concepts and the creation of a unified spatial configuration. It permits the visualization of the desired aesthetic while ensuring the cohesion of all ideas.
What are the 4 steps you should take when planning to decorate a project?
This guide outlines four essential steps for planning an interior design project: creating a project plan, defining style and goals, organizing inspiration and references, and listing necessary materials. A central project plan consolidates various artifacts into one, including a design brief, visual inspiration, color palettes, product links, shopping lists, to-do lists, floor plans, and feedback and conversations. This plan will evolve over the project’s lifespan and ensures a clear understanding of the project’s objectives and timeline.
How do I arrange my project?
This text provides a comprehensive guide on project management, including setting clear expectations, using software from the start, defining project scope, creating a plan, setting deadlines, setting KPIs and OKRs, and delegating tasks. It covers various aspects such as discussions, milestones, tasks, time tracking, reporting, project home, and portfolios. The guide also covers Agile Development, client management, digital agencies, legal case management, marketing teams, product teams, apps, blogs, integrations, help centers, security, and demos.
In what order do you decorate your house?
To decorate a room, start with the ceiling and paint from ceiling to floor to avoid splash marks. Move onto the walls, then paint skirting boards, window and door frames, and finally, paint the doors. This step-by-step guide helps avoid creating more work if you put the wrong foot forward. To avoid splash marks, paint from ceiling to floor and allow at least two hours of drying time between coats. This will ensure a clean and organized space. Remember to follow the right order for decorating your room to avoid creating more work.
How should I decorate my project?
For art projects, focus on images rather than words and letters, creating your own artistic creations or replicating famous artworks or sculptures. For math projects, use geometric shapes or numbers. For school projects, create a personalized file by matching the project theme and class subject. For example, design an outdoor scene for nature-themed projects, use geometric shapes for math projects, or create a map for geography.
Use ribbon, stencils, stickers, and glitter to decorate your project file. For school projects, follow the project guidelines provided by your teacher and follow any formatting or decorating instructions.
How do you organize a creative project?
The initiation of a significant undertaking necessitates the implementation of meticulous organization and planning strategies. These include the formulation of a comprehensive inventory, the categorization of items for optimal storage, and the strategic deployment of basic tools such as paper clips to facilitate the creation of distinct layers. It is of the utmost importance to have a clear plan and to avoid initial concerns about order in order to achieve effective organization.
📹 25 Genius Organizing And Decorating Hacks For Your Bedroom || Decor Projects You’ll Love!
TIMESTAMPS: 00:36 How to organize your bathroom products 01:40 Makeup brushes storage 02:35 DIY amazing keychain 03:40 …
My word this year is “consistency.” Instead of letting things become a mess or a problem, I am determined to manage my home every day with cleaning and maintenance routines. I’ve been developing the routines for the past couple of months, reworking as I go, and I think I have made some valuable progress. I will work much more on this idea this year. I want things to be consistently in the right place. I want my home to be consistently clean. I want food to be consistently used up before going bad. I want to lose weight by consistently eating better and exercising. Consistency is my goal!
I recently heard about using how we want to feel to set goals–and this year, I want to feel more balanced. This means not burning myself out, or setting unrealistic expectations, or saying “no more chocolate ever”–but instead, giving myself grace, and permission to rethink things when they’re not working, and creating a life that feels comfortable while still setting goals to improve 🙂
My goal for 2024 is to beat my cancer! It crashed my 2023 yr plans, but not this one!! 🎉 I was remodeling our house to sell and building a mini house to move to! It will get done this year! Positive thoughts, positive results! And a whole lot of faith and prayers❤! Thank you for showing me how to keep things in order to make it a lot easier to organize as I go!!
When I clean out a closet, cupboard, drawer or shelf, I grab the containers of all sizes and set them aside. As I organize that space, I grab back the container as I need it. Then what’s left over goes into my “store” until I clean out the next space. This means that maybe I don’t have to buy a container right away. I live alone, so my “mudroom” stuff might be different than for other people. I have a coat rack and hang my coat and shopping bags on it. The chair next to the coat rack is where I put my purse and my keys are next to the door on the kitchen counter. Sometimes you have to do what works for you. Thanks for your articles and keep up the good work. You’re sorta my “clutter counselor”.
I don’t do resolutions – I do goal and my goal for 2023 was to get my visible house in order and I succeeded – well this year’s goal is to go thru closets, drawers, etc… – my husband passed in 2020 and I spent the next 2 yrs kinda in a fog but so happy I was able to achieve my 2023 goal – now on to 2024!
I had you perched up on my windowsill while doing dishes. Three little kids, a home reno and a whole lot of overwhelm made me feel deflated when you mentioned resolutions and big goals. I can’t keep up with what is going on now, there is no way I can even daydream about doing more…and when you said that you achieved none of your goals for 2023, tears sprang to my eyes and I sat down to type this response, thanking you for being so open and giving me permission to not be able to give any more of myself to anything outside of the daily right now. I really needed your honesty, it helped lift some weight from my shoulders. Thank you.
My goal is to work hard at decluttering. I am at the place of seeing the difference in how long it takes to clean my house. I want it even easier. I also want to lose weight. Planning on walking as much as I can physically. My word this year is peace. I want peace in my home. You got this Cas. Run Cas Run!!!
I really have to thank you Cas. I’m doing the 30 days bootcamp (at my pace) and using it to wrap up the decluttering process of my whole house I started a few months ago. And going on my longer journey from hoarder to organized person that is been going on more or less for 9 years. I finished the kitchen yesterday and I’m so so happy. I mostly finished my bedroom too. I love your approach to decluttering and organizing, mostly the tips not to feel overwhelmed, and use your articles to motivate me to go on and organize my space. I’m a 100% bee with a lot of crafting supplies and a lot of hobbies so sometimes it’s hard but I finally feel it can be manageable. Thank you!
Cass, I have a rocking chair in my kitchen area. Very inviting for folks to sit and visit. It’s right next to the basement stair entrance. I ended up hanging a large cute tote bag on the top post of the chair. It’s my recycle bag. There was not any floor space. It’s easy to get the kids to take it out. Not too bulky or heavy. It’s out of the way and off the floor.
Love this, and I have ideas for our coat closet as a result, but have to say, as someone older and living in an earthquake zone too – put the heavy stand mixer and instant pot on the next shelf down – they’re easier to lift out at shoulder height or slightly below, and they lower the centre of gravity for the whole shelving unit – lower would be better for the earthquake proofing, but harder to pull out easily. Put those light paper towel rolls on the top shelf.
Just a comment on ur recent podcast with Dawn. Cass, u do not have to share your past with anyone. Your past is yours and it is the past. I applaud your work and Joe’s to get you where you are today. The children may need reminded of that. And as for the crumbs and dust, my husband of 47 years doesn’t see it. It’s a ” man ” thing. You are a luv.so glad you have this website. Much luv.❤❤
My only goals for the year are continuing things I was doing in 2023. And maybe I’ll add learning to spin with a drop spindle, but that’s it. I’ve been working on a lot over the last few years and it’s all starting to come to an end, and I want that ending this year. also, during your live the other day, I decluttered a shelf of dishes I never use and have wanted to get rid of for so long. It took 15 minutes, even with the wipe down. Thank you!
Yay for the cereal box plug! For all my storage that is behind closed doors, Aldi is my Container Store!!!! Free and recyclable. Larger boxes for bins, cardboard flats for canned toids, and I’ve used the large pretzel containers for many many years. Thank you for the reminder about making it as easy to put away as it is to set it down. Have a blessed day, everyone!
Dear Cas, you were the first “organisation expert” I ever watched on youtube.I think, perhaps, 2015??? I used to be really overwhelmed. Nowadays I m pretty minimalist and dont let too much stuff accumulate anymore – but i also wont try microorganizing, because thats just me and never worked. Thank you for that 🙂 It is really life changing – I m a chronic pain patient with planned and unplanned surgeries and having a home which can be cleaned in minutes easily, where visits can happen at any point, or where I can just tell somebody: Please get me xy its in the uper left drawer in room xy is so important. All the best for you and your family for the new year . Also – Its so nice to see your succes and I hope 2024 its a continuation of that.
Love this!! Just what I needed! Girl, this is my year. I’m declaring it. My life is a mess. Unorganized from being depressed, and recovering from losing my mom in 2019. And still dealing with her things. Having a hard time letting things go. But definitely better than I was. Thanks for the inspiration. I agree about the rainbow system that’s ridiculous. And love the idea of using wood for storage. Tired of cracking plastic! Yes, I have ADD!! Whooohooo! Not. 😐
2023 I removed excess fat from my body. 2024 I’m removing excess from my home! I broke my house into 12 zones (thanks Fly Lady for the idea) and with advice from you, Dana and Dawn, I am decluttering zone by zone. I’ve already done zone 1. On to zone 2-storage areas – big rooms and closets used solely for storage-ugh! We have raised 6 kids and lived in the same house for 27 years. This is a big task but thanks to you guys it is already looking and feeling better!
A memory dump zone in the entryway is genius. It makes my ladybug heart happy. It’s an easy bucket to hide it away until I have time to sort it into each person’s bucket. But my goal this year is to actually create memory bins. Lol, I bought the containers. Now I have to scavenger hunt through my home to put all the memories in one place.
I had a 5k goal three years ago. Then my hip got really bad, I couldn’t even use a treadmill to train. Had my hip replaced 18 months ago, and my hip is worse. Now I have to have another hip surgery to repair what didn’t heal, which should get the muscles/tendons back to normal and can start training again. I’m going to be 59 this year (😲), and I’m going to start training again. Go for it Cas! It’s only 3-ish miles, not far at all!! You can do it!!!!
I discovered you over this Christmas break and you motivated me to organize/declutter my bedroom closet and fridge last week! They both turned out so amazing!! My goal this year is to record short instructional articles for my math students. It’s been on my goal list for a couple of years, but I’ve been taking care of myself instead of my classroom to-do’s.
omg the plastic bins in the freezer are genius! I have so many freezer bags just stacked on top of each other, and it’s such a hassle to organize/look through sometimes. Also, thank you for putting in the tip to not focus on less trafficked areas bc I’ve been overwhelming myself by thinking i need to organize every single thing in my new apt. You gave such good advice in this article.
Great article. I agree with the dollar tree stuff. I have used a number of their bins with success. But many have broken like the very thin boxes & locker style bins. Sometimes I spend the dollar til I can get better storage. I’ve had to come to terms with sometimes my organization solution doesn’t work and I have to regroup & redo. But I still watch Cas to keep me motivated. 👍😊
I’ve done a 5K a couple years ago.. I walked it. I really wanted to do the Cherry blossom 5k in Seattle this year but every time i start to get walking and “training” for it either a leg or a knee starts to hurt, then I’m messed up for a bit and have to work up to walking with purpose again. I’m afraid I’m going to go for the 5K and hurt myself during the event and have to be dealt with by med people and then have to drive home because my daughter doesn’t drive. I’ve seriously been stressing on it for like a month. Now is the time train. So I’ve decided that I probably won’t. I’ll just plan a trip to go see the cherry trees when they are blooming and eat and do something fun. I want consume less and create more! Goals! Thank you for the article. Always love your organizations.
My goal last year was to start a podcast. Really struggled with it. Tried to get done before new year but finally launched first three episodes tonight at 8 pm. Very steep learning curve and lots more to learn and improve. Couldn’t have done it if I hadn’t simplified my home, thanks for your energy and enthusiasm.
Cass. You are absolutely the best. You make me feel so incredibly validated as a human being. Can’t wait for the all day declutter! Also, please please help get the horrible cheap infomercial for take your house back taken down off minimal moms website. It’s really horrible and cheapens all 3 of you. You guys are absolutely the greatest !!!!! And this addition isn’t it Cass!!! I would have never bought the course if I would have seen this first.
I have watched your articles and have enjoyed them. I am definitely a bee. What helps me is one of my very good friends declutters her home every January. I hear her voice in my head and I started doing the same. So now I started in the week between Christmas and New Year, and I know this is my 3rd year, so the excuses of I will use this item this year have a definite time reference. My friend is a minimalist and I am definitely NOT. But making decisions is much easier when I know that stuff I will get to “someday” has been there for 3 years. Today we will declutter the garage and we will be finished. My husband went through his closet last night and got rid of a big black trash bag full of things. I was shocked that even he has become invested. He knows it is going to happen and is prepared for it. This year I have made goals for myself (yes goals- not resolutions) in that I plan to read the bible cover to cover, I plan to FINALLY organize my photos and I am going to complete a large craft project I have. Thanks for your inspiration. I love that you know not everyone organizes the same way. Thanks for your positivity! Sincerely, Deb Couch in Dothan, Al
2023 was not fun but it allowed me to re-evaluate many things. My main goal is to Simplify/Declutter what isn’t working for me. I tried a few things last year that just didn’t work or weren’t my style it it cluttered up my life. I need to go simple and quick. My goals for 2024 are to actually run the 5ks I have been doing-none of this partially run thing, declutter and get rid of the extra in my basement so I can reclaim Ms utilize that space better, and redo the kids room floors (the carpet in the rooms is gross or very old.)
I have been organizing and clearing out stuff over the last few months. I almost have our upstairs completed. Earlier this year I decided to start opening up about my ADHD along with trying to run a smoother household/workload, it has been a lot. I never thought telling others about my ADHD would be such a life changer. Many people have been encouraging and understanding some seem irritated that I didn’t mention it sooner, but I don’t think anyone really likes to be labeled. Nowadays, I just take everyday and focus a few hours on improving each category of my work life and my house life. Thanks for sharing your ideas, they’ve really helped me!
My goal is to get the inside of our house painted. I started 5 years ago, and I still haven’t finished.🤦♀️🤦♀️ Praying I don’t have any health issues happen and that I can get this done. After that, I would like to start preparing to move back across the state to be closer to our parents who are needing more assistance from us.
My goal for 2024 is to A) get myself back on track with my diet and work-out routine, because I’m the heaviest I’ve been in years, B) just keep going! I constantly feel like I’m tripping over things, but I know that’s mostly because things are actually improving. It’s a slow process, but it’s getting there
Cas, just rewatched this article – tons of stuff, so great! And realized that you weren’t reading the zombie book, but wanted to write one. I have that goal too…to finsih a memoir I have drafted…years in the making. This is our year Cas – 2024 – get it done! 5 minutes matter. Just look at it. Let’s do this! Oh and your Boot Camp is Excellent!!! I have done it twice through!
I also feel like not much was accomplished this year but we bought our first home and moved. The year before our move I had spent decluttering made a huge difference and all of that was possible from the inspiration your articles provide. Thank you! I don’t have specific goals but I chose the word restore as my theme so I’ll be focusing on small habits to help restore my health, peace, and connection. Progress is still progress even if it is small.
Cas the best thing I heard on this article was you can use whatever you have to organize. I am a firm believer in that. I organized my junk drawer and just could not find the perfect container to use for rubber bands. Then I hit on us using a spam can! I taped the top with electrical tape to cover the sharp edge. Have still not found a container that fits the spot. So five years later still using the spam can. Use what you have, don’t be embarrassed about it, at least it’s organized! Love you and wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for all your articles! A few months ago, I wrote a to-do list and one of the things I put down was to “throw away everything” I was so frustrated with my stuff. Since then I’ve been throwing away about 2 trash bags of stuff every week and it’s been wonderful! I started listening to YouTube articles and podcasts from you and other decluttering people first thing in the morning to help me get in the right mind set for the rest of the day and it’s been so encouraging. So thank you! And I hope you fulfill your goal for the 5K. My one tip is from my husband who runs races… Find a race you want to join and sign up NOW. If you sign up and pay the registration money it is wonderful motivation to actually do it! So go sign up for a race today and have a wonderful, beautiful, and super blessed 2024!
When it comes to going to the gym and getting ones self in shape, I did that back in 2016 and have kept it up. And I believe the reason I was able to achieve my goal and continue was because of my initial intention. My intention was not to look better but to stay healthier for any and if I had grandchildren. I was 63 at the time and now 70 and feel the best I have ever felt. Sadly still no grandchildren but I’ll be ready if I ever get my DINKS to have one.
My goal is to get the clutter and stress out of my house and really hoping I can figure out something I can do to work from home and earn money. Last year was an eye opener to the budgeting and closing of subscriptions and I’m still struggling as a widowed Mom of two boys. I need something I can do from home and have flexibility if they are sick or on break or have appointments. I’m determined to figure that out this year…. And hoping that the decluttering and organizing will help lead me to that. Happy New Year!
I did 2 5K races last year—but not a runner. My daughter joined Girls on the Run, so she needed a running buddy. I trained with the Couch to 5K schedule. It was awesome! My daughter and I did a run/walk combo for the races, so I didn’t actually run the whole 5K. But I never would’ve registered or trained for it without her. (Not a runner!) So get a child to run and train with you: that’s my tip!
I’d love more ideas on organizing for rental apartments. (Can’t screw in hooks on the walls and we don’t have wide kitchen drawers. Plus, our walk through closets are basic and it’s so annoying because they didn’t design them for actual storage!) I use an Ikea double door storage cabinet as my pantry…but it’s in my bedroom because there’s no room in my kitchen/living room.
*Cas- My ‘goals’ are to get outdoors more and do a half marathon. I suggest for your 5k goal (which you can totally do!) is to not give yourself a whole year to do it (procrastination- right) and actually sign up for one now. Spring- of course, for Canada- but step one- sign up! You’ve got this- we’ve got this!
My goal is to be CONSISTENT in everything- budgeting (especially tracking my spending and sticking to my budget), cleaning up at the end of the day, exercising daily and eating healthier (less sugar…man, I really love chocolates). I swear I will get my life together this year even with a clingy toddler LOL 😂😂😂
No resolutions for me… just keep on keeping on with some new habits I’ve put into place in the last few months. The big one is only eating at meal times, and at the meal eating the veggies/fruits first, then protein, then carbs. I’m finding it a very easy way to eat well while still eating what I want. I’m slowly losing weight, but I don’t have to track anything or count anything. I also have some crafty WIPs that I want to finish up this year.
I’ve been following you for awhile. You have so many great tips. May I say that I loved your article. But actually went into the beginning stages of panic attack perusal you tossing things into bins. I am the queen of tossing things into a box or container or bin to go through and put away or throw away later, and I never do! It’s just too overwhelming for me… lol!
We have a small closet in the entry way (right off of the kitchen). We live in Florida and don’t need to store a lot of coats so I turned this into a second pantry. My main pantry is tinier than this closet so it keeps the everyday stuff we use (I have spices on the door) and the entry closet turned pantry is where all of the canned goods and extras are stored. I have labeled all of the shelves too. I have never regretted doing this. Thanks, I always enjoy your articles.
You did a nice job organizing your upright freezer, but how can I arrange my chest freezer where everything gets piled on top of each other due to the nature of the freezer? I’ve already put an upside down plastic tub in the bottom because I’m short and can’t reach things on the very bottom of the freezer, but how can I keep things from just becoming one big pile?
My 2024 goal is to make at least a few family albums. It always seems like such a huge task to sift through all the digital pictures but I’m going to stop making excuses and just create something that my family can enjoy for years to come. Also, with regards to carving out pantry space wherever you can, I did that in my stupidly big walk-in closet a few years ago. We call it the Apocalypse Pantry, haha. I installed shelves and we have a bunch of items with a long shelf life in there and plenty of toilet paper. I don’t ever want to go through that toilet paper shortage thing again!
I’m glad you didn’t completely dismiss Dollar Store containers. And I’m glad you still advocate for using what you have / DIY containers – like cereal and Amazon boxes – to get started, if you’re on a budget. Otherwise, this article would have seemed like you have completely sold out to The Container Store 🙁
Goals are great, but you also need a plan, with achievable steps in a certain order, to make it all happen. Then you can review that plan every week or 2 weeks or month and see where you are and what is the next step you need to take this coming week to make it happen. If you keep the tasks or steps in doable bites, then it can work. And then after a few months if you are making no progress towards your goal, then maybe you need to re-evaluate and move forward without feeling guilty about something that obviously just wasn’t achievable at this time. Refocus your energy and passion towards another goal and plan that seems achievable according to where you are in your life at that time.
I’m done buying tons of containers. I tend to not need them for life because my needs change. For things that contain items on a counter I’m using thrift stores boxes and baskets when I run out of those I have. Things that go in closets and drawers, Amazon boxes or the 50 dollar store bins I keep buying are fine. It’s going in a closet, I don’t need it to be pretty. If I do, contact paper works just fine. I need function and a legible label. Jars and large snack containers are washed out once the food is eaten and reused. We as a society really need to work on the consumerism stuff before we can organize it all.
I have a few goals for this year. I want to get back on top of my family’s finances, get back into more of my healthy habits that have fallen by the wayside as we have gotten busier and declutter and organize my family’s space so my kids aren’t drowning in toys they don’t play with and things they don’t need.
Way to go on the 5K and book goals! I have a couple of goals/habits I’m going to focus on: learning calligraphy and also detemined monthly bookkeeping tasks instead of letting them slide and doing it at the end of the year, which always creates more stress. I want to keep the goals small and doable instead of something too big out of reach. I also will not purchase any more dated planners, I am now using a really nice undated one, so every page will be full, and there will be no wasted blank pages. I have a nice monthly wall calendar that I can write in. It functions as a reference calendar for my office.
I always say goals and never say resolutions!! My biggest goal is to be consistent with strength training. I had WLS March 2022 and lost 197lbs. I am great about exercising daily (walking) but strength training is so important for my bone health, and I’m 53!! So it’s super important. I’ve got some financial goals of paying off my student loans I obtained from getting my Master’s in Nursing 3 years ago, and paying off my new car. Those are the biggest ones!!
Cas, in 2023 you kept us all motivated. That’s a big goal. I too have had a 5K on my vision board for 4 years. But, I finally got it together and will be running my first 5K ever in a week and a half! I got where I needed to be by actively participating in a weight loss program…which supported my walking as exercise, which finally led to walk/ jogging. I’m 60 ( still have one kid at home), so if I can do it you can do it too !!!
CAs even if you don’t run a 5k. Walk it. It’s so much easier than you think!! The hardest part is to get started and stick to it but if you miss some day don’t beat yourself up just add a little extra time or distance to your runs or walks and you keep them for a least a week!! I’m almost 71 and I’m not going to run any more 5k but I’m going to fast walk them. Due to health minor reasons !! I had the full blown open up from breast bone to navel RuenY gastric bypass 21 years ago this week and I am still 134 pounds lighter!! I’m 5’2″ and I was as wide as I was tall. My quality of life is 100 x better!! I don’t exercise near enough but I try because I like being a size 6-8 !! So good luck with your 5k. You can do this!! Especially remember you are healthy and you may have years that you aren’t or so busy you can’t train consistently and correctly!!
Firstly Cas you are AWESOME, you help so many people, the ADD shows that thousands of people and even more if you include their family and friends that are effected by the changes. I tell everyone about you the moment they mention housework or clutter too. My son recognises your voice the minute a article goes on and loves the fact he has space to play in now “cos Cas helps mummy tidying up” You have had a huge year, house move flooding plus raising a family. You have also helped me not only accept my neurodiversity (ADHD and austisic) but embrace the super power it is., this in turn has also helped my children with theirs. For me this is the year i declutter all the cr4p I don’t need and make more time for my family and self care
2023 was a very hard year for me, so I am happily leaving it behind. I do not make resolutions or have expectations, I have aspirations to be a better me. I have been dabbling in natural dyes for years but to import the @real@ natural dyes like Indigo, is very expensive in my country (South Africa) but I never gave up looking for reasonably priced suppliers and then met a weaver who gave me the nr of the President of the weavers guild, who had just returned from India with a lot of Indigo and was gracxious enough to sell me some. So this is the year the dye monster will break out. I am also moving to a smaller place, downsizing so had a major sorting out and declutter like never before and it is liberating!!! This new place WILL be organised right from the start. So moving, being more organised and tidier (hard for a sewist/designer/crafter) and at long last becoming a proper natural dyer, is enough for me to achieve this year
I have 2 pantries in my home…one in the Laundry room/Entry way…which I do not like that room at all! I want to just make it an Entry way and put our w/d in another area…because when you enter through the door…all you see is the w/d….uggh!! I want a more better Entry way! Then there are 3 closets in there…I took the coat closet and made a storage area for my husband and sons tools…do they put everything there…nope…its in the floor…through to the dining room…which I do not like!….The pantry closet in there is a big closet with shelves…but I have it full of things that we actually do not use…small appliances…cake pans…blankets…etc..lol So I’m going to re do that closet! Then I have a pantry in my kitchen where I store all our canned goods and things…which I like but I just can’t get it organized…lol Thanks for the tips in this article! Happy New Year Every one!!
Cas, I so need a reboot in 2024. My word for 2024 is hospitality. I want to be proud to invite people over for a meal or a craft session. I am blessed with a cute little house that needs some updates but meanwhile I can get rid of clutter and make room for people and relationships. Blessings in 2024.
Stop worrying about the best before dates in your fridge. I keep a roll of bright green masking tape and a marker right in my kitchen drawer. I mark the expiry date on a piece of tape and put it on items I have purchased which I may not be using right away. Some of those expiry dates are hard to find, but the bright green tape encourages you to use the product you have spent your money on.
Love seeing how you updated your areas to be more functional!! When I was perusal articles over the weekend (for scrapbook/papercrafting organization) someone had a behind the door system called a cabidor. I’ve never seen or heard of it before! I’m wondering if you have ever used one and if so, are they worth it? I can’t find much info. I live in a tiny home and every inch is vital!
Im just perusal and thinking about extra bins. I see a stack of Amazon boxes in my laundry room, headed for recycle. They have the low profile, like 5″ deep? And I’m going to trim the top flaps so they fold in, reinforcing the sides and I’ll just start using these. These will give me a free practice run on what size bins I need, and how many of each. 👍
2024 is looking GREAT now that I am days away from decluttering and reorganizing our entire house and garage, THANKS TO YOU!!!!! You are the Bomb! Thank you so much for your ideas, inspiration, encouragement and ass-kicking… you speak the truth — Decluttering changes your LIFE in so many ways. My goal for 2024? Now that I am stronger, and have wiped out the first overwhelming layer of crap and junk, I will start again with Layer #2… the “maybe someday” bins… the “not sure if I can part with that” drawer, and the years and years of file sand old photos I have accumulated. I feel very proud to have donated so much stuff to the homeless, the Recycle Center, the old folks homes and the giant garbage bins. THANK YOU, CAS, and Happy New Year!
You moved, you work multiple jobs…cut yourself some slack. You’ve helped loads of us, you need to be proud of that! ❤🎉 I never make New Year resolutions or say I’m going to “do this or that” this year. I’m in my mid 50’s. I strive to do my best everyday, remain sane, laugh and enjoy life. I’ve had the motto “Don’t put it down, put it away NOW!” for years.
I saw an Article in a “Woman’s Day” magazine IN 1992 using plastic file boxes in the freezer! I used them in mine for the next 20+ years! One for potatoes, one for veggies, one for popsicles 😊 (She has one at 3:18 in the article) I used them in my cupboards too. Things like Pasta worked well. Then I made a snack station with stacking baskets. Now it’s 2024, I’m 60, a Grandma and I’m wishing I’d written a book about organizing lol lol
I use toilet paper rolls in an old Amazon box that I cut (the box) to size to fit in my dresser, and that’s what I use to organize my underwear 🤷♀️ I also have an old shipping box that I keep my tank tops in! And I always reuse boxes for my business- especially for what I call my “go” boxes. One stores all my bags, boxes, cordage, scissors, extra pens, bag inserts, etc- anything that I would need to package up a sale at a show. The other one holds whatever stuff I’ll be using to work on projects at a show/while I’m traveling, such as wire in several sizes, my pliers and wire cutters, whatever stone bins I need, measuring tape, ring mandrel, burr cup tool, bail former, etc etc.
Writing a fiction book for women that is fun (because women need more fun, they seem to suffer depression more) and uplifting. I want people to feel good when they finish it. Already jumped the gun in December and started using “The Artist’s Way,” by Julia Cameron and The Great Courses’ “Writing Fiction that Sells.” I am finally writing 3 pages every. single. day. – no, haven’t started the novel yet, but I have finally made writing a HABIT.
I bet buying your beautiful new home was a definite goal you had last year. Finding,buying and keeping it from going underwater was an IMPORTANT accomplishment that you should be PROUD of. I am sure you did a ton of other very important things as well. Don’t sell yourself short in this upcoming year.
When I wanted to organize my garage, I bought some chrome/wire metro-shelf styled shelving. Then I just hit the local Goodwill stores and bought out their large and small bins. We don’t use the stuff in the garage all that often, so we just needed some way to organize it. It’s not pretty, because things are mismatched, but it still looks organized, and we can actually find things now. Some of the smaller bins I found are clear, so you can see what’s in them. So far I’ve bought two 48″ and one 36″–and it’s really cleared up space in the garage. We may actually be able to put the cars in there again at some point! It got really cluttered during the home remodel… but I’m still remodeling, so I need places to put things. This helped. Also, sometimes you can find nice matching storage bins there as well–so that’s not impossible if you’re not in a hurry for them.
Happy New Year! I don’t make resolutions… but …. I want to “use my stuff” (in my creative projects). and I want to Finish my projects (ones I start, and old ones). and if I don’t use my stuff, or finish the projects…. I want to “Let go”…. those are the main ones. of course I have all the “should” ones too (adopt healthier habits, and lose weight that sort of thing).
I want this to be the year of making my house my own! I moved late 2022 and it’s been over a year. I’d love to decorate, but I keep putting it off because I’m not inspired. All these gray impersonal walls are getting to me. My last house was so beautiful and I put so much work into remodeling it, decorating and organizing. I have a blank slate in my new place, plenty of time and funds, but ZERO MOTIVATION. I’m going to do it this year! Pick a space and throw some color on the wall! Hopefully, inspiration will strike and I’ll be on a roll!
Hey Cass,really good article w/some very nice prdts & ideas . I would like to say that I don’t know about your trashing the Dollar Tree items. As with anything, it’s important to be careful what you purchase. However, I will say I have had some of their items for many years, and they’re still going strong. Of course, not everything is great. Just saying. 😉
My goal is a theme/word not a resolution. And it’s “Growth” (or basically better than I ended 2023). I have already started growing my easy meals list for meal planning. I am also going to join the bootcamp as I need some accountability to get this house in shape so I can clean easily as I work outside the home full time and I have started a podcast and, hopefully soon, a you tube website, to keep me accountable. going to take lots of before and after photo’s of all the “growth” I am doing, hopefully, not along my waist line. lol. But I hear you Cas! We can’t be perfect (:_ClutterbugCricket:needs to let go of the perfect solution) and being a bit frugal does not mean we can’t organize. We just need to declutter more and use what we have available. (I have the wrong storage everywhere so every room is a mess, until I get the right solution). Need to let go of my :_ClutterbugCricket:and do good enough, but first.. declutter.
Didn’t think I needed this article but I LOVE the Costco closet and some of your other ideas. My nephew ran a 5K and it looked like so much fun (free t-shirt and breakfast with cool people) that I wanted to do one. I can’t run but the one I chose allowed me to participate by walking a mile. The experience changed me. Not only was it fun, but my entrance fee was supporting a good cause. I’m so sick of decluttering that I stopped shopping, so I decided to use the money I saved to fund two other charities at the end of the year. The moral of my story is not to look at this as exercise but as a FUN way to support a cause you believe in.
OMG last January my cousin called me and said if we wanted my side of the family stuff we had to drop everything and drive to Alexandria Va from Illinois, we packed it all up and after our way home we wanted coffee. We saw a Starbucks sign and we went in. There was about 120 people in there. But then a couple came in with a very sick child right next to us. The child was about 4 years old and coughing so hard at first her lips were blue and then most of her face was. Those parents should have been in the emergensy room instead of getting lattes. Anyhow we got East Coast varient of COVID. When we got home we were sick with it. Those boxes to this day our still botching up our front room. Some have very good items in them, some have museum quality stuff in them some are full of lead. I feel overwhemled over it and it makes me sad. Call Museums call some far away. Sell those 3 beautiful decancdurs made of lead crystal. Statue from the worlds fair in Chicago, Where to start? I so far have gotten the drying herbs out of there and I vac a lot.
I’m 54 and did my first 5k 3 months ago. I did the couch to 5k training. My biggest tip: work those buns good twice a week. I only did it sometimes and it was hard. After the race I started doing it and suddenly running was a lot easier. I know you are friends with Frugal Fit Mom and she will have great advice, but from a former couch potato, don’t neglect the buns. 😁
The best way to train for a run is To get An audiobook and set your watch on intervals of walk/run! Even if it’s walk for a minute run for 30 seconds & go up from there. Having your book to look forward to and to keep your mind busy is so helpful. Also those intervals where you know you just have to run for a little bit and then you can walk is the best way to prep for 5K. However, let me give you some advice and don’t up your mileage too quickly because it will cause joint problems (I’ve been there trust me you don’t want to be there!)
My goal is to purge, maybe like the Swedish death purge! I just turned 80 years old, so I want to do it while I’m in good health. That way I’m not going to be leaving it for my kids to deal with! Besides, it will make me feel lighter to have things gone that I no longer use. Like large serving pieces, I don’t entertain like I used to, and, my Grandkids like eating on paper plates!! We’ ll see how it goes, wish me luck!! It’s Jan. 9 th and my SUV is full of things that are going to the thrift store tomorrow! My first load of the year!! Thanks for doing what you do, you are a great inspiration!
In Feb 2020, I had gone to California to look for places to live because my goal was to move in August. Two weeks after getting back, the country shut down. Then I was in a motorcycle accident and broke my ankle where I had to be non weight bearing for months. Unfortunately, it didn’t heal correctly, so another surgery and months of recovery. So after all of my trauma, depression and just stuff that made my life pretty miserable, in 2022, I had a year of yes, meaning I said yes to everything that came my way and then proceeded to act in 3 plays, wrote and directed my first play and then was asked to direct a play. 2023, I needed to find a balance between saying yes and recognizing it was okay to say no. This year is all about creating. I have a lot to say and as I fully embark on my 5th decade, I have to make time to say it. 🙂 Thanks for your organization ideas, I’m glad I found you.
My goal is to maintain a no spend year for 2024. I want to at least pay down or, if not, pay off credit card debt so I can do something else with my life, time, and money!!! I will still spend the necessary money on utilities, rent, etcetera. But I will not be doing anything like shopping for clothes like tops and bottoms. I will not be buying decorative items. I will not be buying anything I find on sale just because it’s a good price. I must run out before I buy a replacement. I will buy my entertainment but only for a limited amount. I will rewire my consumerist brain to find another dopamine dose from something more constructive, such as exercise. I will finish the projects I have already started; and I have several of started projects that add to my clutter. And that’s how I will have a no spend year. Next year, I want to build a computer desk with authentic wood using shop tools I haven’t used since high school!! This is the point of my no buy year. I hope you have the best year ever, and thank you for your inspiring content!!!
10:10 Inside drawers, I use the tops and bottoms of thick, high-quality, little boxes I’ve saved from nice chocolates, jewelry, small electronics, etc. When I get nice ones, I store them in a bin in my basement so I always have some on-hand when needed for organizing drawers. Free, and versatile given all the assorted sizes.
Cas, great article, wonderful suggestions. I agree with other follower below, you did accomplish a lot in 2023, in addition to your new home, you also studied and passed the exam for the First responder course and earned the certification. That is amazing. Along with raising your family and helping education and inspire all of your followers on declutter and organization and much more. I wish you and your family a fantastic 2024 year.
I’m perusal this a few months late. My goal for 2024 is to break my addiction to diet pepsi, chemical sweeteners and sugar in that order. I decided to use the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I gave myself the month of January to clear everything on the no fly list out of my kitchen. It took 4 pass thru’s on my own and then my SIL went thru one last time to make I wasn’t missing anything. We gave all of the unopened items to people in our circle of friends and coworkers. My partner put everything he could still eat that I can’t into a cabinet that I can not access. I have continued beyond the 21 day time frame because I know I still crave diet pepsi. I have lost 28 pounds, I am enjoying most of the food I am trying, eating these days. I just know that while I will add natural sweeteners back in eventually I have to be vigilant about the chemical sweeteners or I will be back to dring almost a 2 liter of diet pepsi every day.
I did stop buying dollar store containers when I use some plastic ones & realized how flimsy they were. I Never expected high quality from there but I think they got worse lately. Im not into plastic so much either. I prefer wood, paper & metal. When on a budget shoe or cardboard boxes with decorative labels & decopage works for me. 😉
My goal last year was to make my 3 sisters and niece, my kids, and some other loved ones 2 shopping bags each, and finally get round to making my own tree skirt. I smashed it! Last minute at times, but I did it! This year’s goal is to make myself a new swim/beach bag. I have a beautiful, new, computerized sewing machine that’s making sewing even more fun! And you bet it’s going to be put to good use!
Cas i no longer have new year resolutions as i feel crap at the end of the year when i havent achieved them. The past few years I’ve been choosing a word for the year and that has been really good. I save the word on my laptop screensaver and also on my mobile phone wallpaper so i can be constantly reminded. 2023 was not a great year for me so for 2024 I’ve chosen a quote instead of a word. I could’ve chosen “gratitude” but decided on “Take in the moments”. It’s to remind me to appreciate the good moments regardless how small they, as life has a funny way of turning things upside down in the blink of an eye. Hope you have a wonderful 2024 ❤
I was using glass and wood containers and discovered they are too heavy for my arthritic arms. What I do use is Kmart Australia containers that look like those more sturdy containers that you featured – for all your Australian viewers. I have been using them for years and they are still sturdy. My goal for 2024 is to have a CALM home, calm life, and calm body. Which means that I’m not going to get anxious about specific goals. Decluttering is on the list, more exercise is on the list – but I will be happy with any movement towards a calm home and life. I’m not going to get caught up in the “if I don’t get it perfect then I’ve failed” mentality. If I’m more calm because of decluttering a drawer – then I’ve won.