Beyond Tidy

Beyond Tidy Plot Summary

Introduction

Life can be overwhelming when chaos surrounds us. Imagine walking into your home and feeling an immediate sense of anxiety because of the clutter that greets you. You might spend precious minutes—or even hours—searching for items you need, replacing things you already own but can't find, or feeling embarrassed when unexpected guests arrive. This constant state of disorganization doesn't just affect your physical space; it impacts your mental wellbeing, your relationships, and your ability to show up confidently in the world. The journey toward organization isn't about creating picture-perfect spaces that belong on social media. It's about designing a life that supports your values, enhances your productivity, and brings you joy. When you understand the deeper principles behind organization and approach the process with self-compassion and intention, you create something far more valuable than tidy spaces—you create a foundation for a flourishing life where you feel empowered, capable, and in control. This transformation begins not with purchasing organizing products or following rigid systems, but with understanding yourself, setting clear intentions, and taking manageable steps toward creating spaces that truly serve you.

Chapter 1: Set Clear Goals and Master Your Mindset

Creating an organized life begins not with bins and labels, but with understanding what you truly want to accomplish. Organization isn't a one-size-fits-all approach—it's about designing systems that support your unique lifestyle and goals. The first step is clarifying what "becoming more organized" actually means to you. Is it about managing your time better? Creating a home where you're proud to welcome guests? Having a functional system for paperwork? Once you identify your specific objectives, you can create a tailored action plan. Annmarie and Marie share the story of a schoolteacher who felt her clutter was "sucking the life out of her." During their session, she revealed that she grew up in a family where nothing was thrown away—her parents had lived through The Great Depression and developed a deep-seated fear of scarcity. Even after economic stability returned, this mindset prevailed, resulting in a home filled with broken items and unused possessions. The teacher, however, had developed a different perspective; she saw clutter as a barrier to a manageable life. Her anxiety stemmed from realizing her own home was beginning to resemble her childhood environment, and she didn't want her son growing up with the same relationship to possessions. This story illustrates how our thoughts about organization are often rooted in past experiences and deeply held beliefs. The mindset we bring to the organizing process dramatically affects our ability to make progress. If you believe you'll never be organized because you lack an "organizing gene," you'll struggle to stay motivated. Conversely, embracing a growth mindset—understanding that organizing skills can be developed through practice and dedication—sets you up for success. Science supports this approach. Research in neuroplasticity shows that our brains create new neural pathways every time we learn something new. We literally rewire our brain when we practice different ways of thinking and behaving. This means even if you've always considered yourself disorganized, you can develop new skills and habits with dedication and consistent effort. When beginning your organizing journey, start with small, achievable goals rather than attempting to transform your entire home at once. Use the SMART framework to create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For example, instead of saying "I want to get organized," try "I want to establish a simple system for paying my bills on time within the next two months." Setting deadlines creates accountability and helps prioritize actions. Remember that organizing is a skill that can be cultivated, not an innate talent some people simply lack. Approach the process with self-compassion, celebrate small victories along the way, and create implementation intentions—specific plans for how you'll respond when obstacles arise. This combination of clear goals and a growth-oriented mindset creates the foundation for lasting organizational success.

Chapter 2: Envision Your Space and Create Zones

The power of vision cannot be underestimated when transforming a space. Before diving into the physical work of organizing, take time to clearly define what purpose each area needs to serve—what it needs to "be." This clarity will focus your decision-making and help you create a space that truly supports your lifestyle. Marie shares how this principle transformed her home's entryway. She had become frustrated with her husband Freddie's habit of emptying his pockets onto her kitchen counter every day after work. Not only was this creating daily clutter, but it once resulted in his wedding ring being lost for three months when their children mixed it with loose change they were collecting. Rather than continuing to feel annoyed, Marie approached the problem strategically. When purchasing a table for her entryway, she chose a piece with drawers specifically so Freddie would have a designated place for his pocket items. The table also included cabinet space beneath, which she used to store photo albums that had previously been difficult to access. Instead of selecting furniture based solely on aesthetics, she considered functionality and how it could support her family's habits while maintaining an organized home. This transformation wasn't just about controlling clutter—it created positive ripple effects throughout their home life. The kitchen counter remained clear, reducing daily frustration. The wedding ring had a safe place to land. The previously inaccessible photo albums became easily available for family enjoyment. By mindfully creating a vision for the space that accounted for real behaviors and needs, Marie created an entryway that enhanced both organization and family connection. When creating your vision, begin by gathering inspiration that resonates with you. Notice what elements make you feel calm and capable versus anxious or overwhelmed. Consider who will use the space, what activities will occur there, and which items truly deserve placement in that area. For multi-purpose rooms, establish clear zones dedicated to specific functions—perhaps a corner for working, an area for exercise, or a section for crafting. The layout of a room significantly impacts whether organization will succeed or fail. Consider placing frequently accessed items closer to entrances to minimize unnecessary movement. Maximize vertical wall space with shelving, hooks, or tall storage units when floor space is limited. Before purchasing new organizational products, look for furniture you already own that could be repurposed for storage—like the client who transformed her grandmother's dresser into a gift-wrapping station, honoring the heirloom while giving it new life and purpose. Remember that organizing is an iterative process. Your initial vision provides direction, but living with the space will reveal what truly works for your family. Be willing to make adjustments as you learn. The goal isn't perfection but creating an environment that supports your daily activities while minimizing stress and maximizing joy. By establishing a clear vision and designated zones, you create the blueprint for a space that serves your highest priorities.

Chapter 3: Sort Belongings and Group Similar Items

The sorting process often creates the most anxiety for people embarking on an organizing journey. Facing accumulated possessions can feel overwhelming, especially when storage areas have become chaotic catch-all spaces. The key to making this process manageable lies in breaking it down systematically by grouping similar items together—what organizers call sorting "like with like." When working with a client's garage, Annmarie and Marie discovered a perfect example of how this principle reveals hidden inventory. The space was filled with various categories all mixed together: holiday decorations, sports equipment, utility items, and tools. Instead of creating one massive pile to sort through (which would likely increase overwhelm), they systematically separated items into distinct categories. This methodical approach revealed something surprising—the client had six potato peelers scattered throughout different kitchen drawers. Since each drawer only contained one peeler, she never realized the duplication. But seeing all six together prompted an obvious question: how many potatoes could she reasonably peel at once? This revelation illustrates how grouping similar items creates an accurate inventory of what you actually own. Without this knowledge, people frequently purchase duplicates, wasting money and creating more clutter. During another organization session, they collected enough sticky notes to fill a gallon-sized storage bag. Their client was shocked by this discovery—especially since she had just purchased more sticky notes the day before, not realizing she already had an abundance. The sorting process becomes even more manageable when you create subcategories within larger groups. When organizing clothing, for instance, don't just separate tops from bottoms. Further divide tops into sleeveless, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve piles. This detailed sorting makes the decision-making process less overwhelming by allowing you to focus on one specific category at a time, rather than being distracted by the entirety of your possessions. To implement this principle in your own space, start by selecting one area—perhaps a closet or cabinet—and remove everything. Sort items into clearly defined categories based on similarity and function. Don't worry if new categories emerge during the process; this is natural as you discover what you actually have. The goal is to gather like items so you can make informed decisions about what to keep. The benefits of this approach extend beyond organization. Clients frequently exclaim "I was looking for that!" during sorting sessions, discovering items they thought were lost. Others rediscover forgotten possessions, like clothing still bearing tags that can now be worn instead of purchasing new items. By creating a complete inventory through grouping, you gain an accurate picture of your possessions, enabling smarter decisions about what to keep, what to discard, and what you truly need.

Chapter 4: Decide What Stays and What Goes

Making decisions about what to keep and what to release often generates the most emotional resistance in the organizing process. We form attachments to our possessions for countless reasons—sentimental value, financial investment, future possibilities—and these attachments can make letting go difficult, even when items no longer serve us. Annmarie shares a deeply personal story about facing this challenge when clearing her father's bedroom after he passed away. "Yesterday was emotional. We let go of my father's furniture and cleared his bedroom in our home, where he lived with us for four years after he could no longer live on his own," she wrote. "I wasn't the organizer. I was the client, working through all the feelings and emotions that accompany saying goodbye to things that are fiercely personal and meaningful." Despite the emotional difficulty, Annmarie focused on her vision for transforming the space into an office where she could create content to help others. She acknowledged her feelings while recognizing that "moving forward does not mean I can't honor the past with gratitude and love." This story illustrates how letting go involves not just physical items but the memories, identities, and possibilities they represent. When clients struggle with decisions, Annmarie and Marie guide them to consider whether possessions are truly serving their current lives and future goals. They encourage thinking in terms of what you're building rather than what you're giving up—a perspective that feels empowering rather than depriving. When evaluating what stays and what goes, consider whether items align with your vision for the space. Are they worthy of your "Prime Real Estate"—those easily accessible storage areas that should be reserved for frequently used items? One client had dedicated valuable kitchen drawer space to storing tea, despite the fact that no one in the household ever drank it. The tea itself wasn't the problem; it was that it occupied space better utilized for daily necessities. For items with sentimental value, ask whether keeping the physical object is the only way to honor its significance. Could photos, stories, or repurposing elements of the item serve the same purpose while requiring less space? For gifts or inherited items that don't match your taste or needs, remember that letting them sit unused doesn't honor the giver. Consider whether donating these items might allow them to be truly appreciated by someone else. Once you've decided to let something go, act quickly to remove it from your home. Schedule donation pickups in advance of organizing projects to create a deadline and prevent second-guessing. If selling items, set a specific timeframe after which anything unsold will be donated. The key is preventing decision limbo—that space where items are neither fully kept nor fully released—which itself creates clutter and mental weight. Remember that organizing is not about creating empty space, but about making room for what truly matters in your life now. Each intentional decision about what stays and what goes brings you closer to spaces that support rather than hinder your highest priorities and deepest joys.

Chapter 5: Assign Everything a Proper Home

The principle "Everything deserves a home" forms the foundation of sustainable organization. Just as we return to our homes after going out into the world, our belongings need designated places to return to after use. This simple concept, when consistently applied, eliminates countless hours spent searching for misplaced items and prevents the accumulation of clutter throughout your living spaces. Marie shares a story about how this principle transformed her family's daily life when her children were young preschoolers. At school, they were perfectly trained to put toys away in designated spaces when "mat time" was over. The classroom had specific zones for different activities, and the children knew exactly where everything belonged. However, the moment they arrived home, these well-behaved students would transform into "bats out of hell," dumping their school bags, artwork, and toys throughout the house. One particular struggle involved the tiny toys they collected from vending machines, which they would constantly misplace and then desperately search for—often right before they needed to leave for activities, causing stress and delays for the entire family. Marie recognized that her children were capable of organization—they demonstrated this daily at school—but needed clear systems at home. She cleaned out two junk drawers in the coffee table and assigned one to each child as a personal space for their special trinkets. The results were transformative: no more tears, stress, or blame when looking for favorite toys. The coffee table remained uncluttered, and the children learned to take responsibility for their belongings. Most importantly, they developed an early understanding that "everything deserves a home." This principle applies to possessions of all sizes, from keys and sunglasses to seasonal decorations and important documents. When something has a designated home, you eliminate the frustration of searching and the wasteful cycle of replacing items you already own but can't find. You save not just time and money, but also valuable mental energy that would otherwise be depleted by the stress of disorganization. Implementing this principle begins with identifying items you frequently misplace. Choose one category—perhaps your keys, wallet, or phone—and establish a specific location where it will "live." For the next two weeks, consciously focus on returning that item to its home immediately after use. Ask family members to help reinforce this habit. With consistent practice, the behavior will become automatic, eliminating the stress of lost items. For children, creating simple, accessible homes for their belongings fosters independence and responsibility. Store items they need frequent access to at their eye level, and use picture labels if they're too young to read. Make the process of returning things to their homes as effortless as possible—open containers without complicated lids, clear pathways to storage areas, and consistent locations that don't change arbitrarily. Remember that this principle creates a foundation for all other organizing systems. When everything has a home, daily maintenance becomes simpler, stress decreases, and you regain control over your environment. The peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where to find what you need when you need it transforms not just your physical space, but your overall sense of capability and calm.

Chapter 6: Create Associations for Easy Location

Imagine trying to cook a meal if your pots were stored in one room, your spatula in another, and your spices upstairs. This scenario sounds absurdly inefficient, yet many people unknowingly create similar challenges throughout their homes by failing to establish clear associations between items and their storage locations. The principle of "Creating Associations" builds upon earlier concepts like grouping similar items and assigning proper homes, elevating your organizing system to the next level. Annmarie describes how this principle helped her teenage daughter Julianna navigate the challenges of adolescence. Like many teenagers, Julianna's room often reached "catastrophic levels" of messiness. She would frantically search for needed items before school or events, running around the house in a panic that negatively affected her mood and ability to communicate effectively. Over time, Julianna began to realize she had more control over her life than she thought. She started grouping her belongings more intentionally and creating associations between categories and specific locations in her room. Though her organizational system didn't mirror what her mother might have created, it made perfect sense to her—and that's what mattered. Julianna also became familiar with the associations the family had established for household items. When she needed batteries, she knew they were kept in the kitchen junk drawer. If she needed a binder, she knew to check the bin of extra school supplies in the family room closet. This knowledge gave her independence and eliminated the stress of searching or relying on others to find what she needed. Years later, when she left for college, she applied these principles to her dorm room, giving her confidence and capability in her new environment. Creating associations works like an internal GPS system. When you associate batteries with the kitchen junk drawer, you don't waste time searching your entire house when you need one. You go directly to that location and immediately know whether you have batteries or not. This eliminates wasted time, unnecessary purchases, and the frustration of fruitless searching. To implement this principle, designate one specific location for each category of items, and ensure everyone in your household knows these associations. Be intentional about categorizing based on how you use items, not just what they are. For example, if you only use onion soup mix to make dip, store it with other dip ingredients rather than with soup. If baby wipes are primarily used to remove deodorant stains from clothing, keep them in your closet rather than with bathroom supplies. The key is creating associations that make sense to you and your family, even if they differ from conventional storage wisdom. Different households may store similar categories in different locations—what matters is consistency within your home. When everyone shares the same mental map of where things belong, finding items becomes effortless, independence increases, and the household functions more smoothly. This principle completes the statement: "I know exactly where to find what I need when I need it." With clear associations between items and their locations, you'll never again need to say, "I was looking for that!" The time and energy saved can be redirected toward activities that bring you greater joy and fulfillment.

Chapter 7: Manage Space to Control Inventory

A fundamental question every organized person must answer is: Do you manage your space based on your inventory, or your inventory based on your space? The answer that leads to sustainable organization is the latter—your available space should determine how much you own, not the other way around. When Annmarie and Marie worked with a family of six to organize their children's playroom, they encountered a perfect illustration of this principle. The space was so overwhelmed with toys that the floor was completely covered, preventing the children from actually playing with what they owned. One specific challenge was the youngest daughter's enormous collection of Barbie dolls, which filled three large bins. The mother was certain her daughter would never part with any of them. However, Marie took a different approach—she sat with the four-year-old girl and explained they needed to create more space in the playroom. She provided one empty bin and told the child she could keep whatever favorite Barbies would fit inside with the lid closed. The result was surprising—not only did the little girl willingly select her favorites, but she filled the bin only three-quarters full. When told she could add more dolls, she said it wasn't necessary; she had all she needed. This story demonstrates how defining space limits helps us make more thoughtful decisions about what's truly important. The child wasn't traumatized by the reduction; rather, she felt empowered to choose what mattered most to her. This principle directly addresses the problem of overbuying—purchasing more than you need because you've lost track of what you already have. People often justify excess purchases with thoughts like "It won't go to waste" or "We can always use it," without considering the space required to store these items. But something is only a good deal if you actually use it. Otherwise, you've spent money, not saved it, and sacrificed valuable space in your home. To apply this principle, decide in advance how much space you're willing to allocate for particular categories. If your batteries have a designated drawer in the kitchen, limit your supply to what fits comfortably in that space. For pantry items with expiration dates, organize them like a grocery store—place identical items one behind another with the earliest expiration date in front. For different varieties within a category, use clear bins to create "drawers" on shelves, allowing you to pull the entire category out without disturbing other items or losing things in the back. Consider which spaces in your home constitute "Prime Real Estate"—easily accessible areas that should house your most frequently used items. Marie describes how she manages paper goods: "My husband and I like to buy paper goods in bulk, and we have an area in our basement where we keep the 'overflow.' I will stock my three bathrooms with toilet paper, and the rest will live in my basement closet in my 'overflow area.' I will continue to re-stock my bathrooms from this basement overflow area as needed, but when I run low on inventory in the basement, that's when I put it on my list." By managing your space intentionally, you gain control over your possessions rather than allowing them to control you. You reduce waste, save money, and create environments where the things you truly need and value are accessible and usable, supporting rather than hindering your daily life.

Chapter 8: Finish Tasks Completely

The path to sustained organization isn't just about what you do, but about seeing each task through to completion. Many people start organizing tasks but stop before they're truly finished, creating what psychologists call the "Zeigarnik Effect"—open loops in the mind that cause distraction and drain mental energy. These incomplete tasks accumulate over time, leading to renewed clutter and frustration. Marie shares a relatable example about laundry. Many people wash and dry clothes, perhaps even fold them, but then leave them in baskets rather than returning them to drawers and closets. This seemingly minor incompletion can create surprising chaos. Children might rummage through the basket looking for specific items, unfolding everything in the process. Someone might mistake clean laundry for dirty and take it back to the laundry room. Even without these complications, baskets of clean clothes create visual clutter and stress. The few minutes saved by not finishing the task ultimately cost more time when clothes need to be refolded or searched through repeatedly. This principle applies to countless daily activities. Bill paying isn't complete until statements are marked "paid" and filed away or shredded. Grocery shopping isn't finished until items are unpacked and put away. Even straightening up a room requires returning items to their proper homes, not just shifting them to different surfaces or temporary containers. The principle is simple: complete what you start. Sometimes finishing tasks feels overwhelming because we attempt too much at once. When organizing a larger space like a closet or garage, break the project into smaller segments that can be completed in available time blocks. It's better to organize one drawer completely than to partially sort through several areas and leave them in disarray. If unexpected interruptions force you to stop mid-project, leave yourself a note indicating what you've accomplished and what remains to be done. This creates a clear starting point when you return to the task. For homes with multiple floors, many families develop systems for temporarily holding items that need to be returned to different levels—perhaps a basket on the stairs or a designated shelf. While these temporary holding spots can be helpful, they only work if everyone commits to actually moving items to their final destinations regularly. Otherwise, these solutions become permanent clutter zones themselves. The ultimate expression of this principle is labeling. Even when using clear containers where contents are visible, taking time to create labels reinforces categories, strengthens associations, and deters inappropriate additions when you're in a hurry. Labels remove all guesswork about what belongs where, making it easier for everyone in the household to maintain organization. Poet Miriam Hamilton Keare captured several aspects of this principle in her "Golden Rules for Living," which include: "If you open it, close it. If you turn it on, turn it off. If you borrow it, return it. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you move it, put it back." These simple directives acknowledge that respecting our spaces and possessions requires following through to completion. By developing the habit of finishing tasks, you create a home that stays naturally organized without requiring constant major interventions.

Summary

Throughout this journey beyond mere tidiness, we've explored how organization isn't simply about creating picture-perfect spaces, but about designing an environment that supports your values, enhances your wellbeing, and enables you to show up confidently in the world. As Annmarie and Marie remind us, "Both organization and disorganization influence how we show up in the world. Both affect confidence, reliability, trust, mood, and emotional regulation." The principles we've explored—from setting clear goals and creating associations to managing space and finishing tasks—work together to create systems that reflect your unique needs and empower you to live with intention. Your path to organization is personal and ongoing. Start where you are, focusing on what causes you the most stress or would create the greatest positive impact if improved. Apply these principles with self-compassion, celebrating progress rather than demanding perfection. Remember that organizing is a skill that can be learned and developed over time, not an innate talent some possess and others lack. Each step you take toward greater organization isn't just about controlling clutter—it's about creating space for what truly matters in your life. As Annmarie wrote when reflecting on her organizing journey: "Dream big... and beyond tidy!"

About Author

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Annmarie Brogan

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