Ditch Overwhelm and Organize Your Life Using the T.U.D.O.S. Technique
My proven 5-step process to help you thrive revealed...
When you look around and see clutter in your life, how do you feel?
Defeated? Overwhelmed? Guilty? Unsure of how to start making a change?
Even when you KNOW that creating functional and inspiring space is ideal, beginning the process is hard.
Why is decluttering and organizing that simplifies your life so hard to DO?
As a professional organizer and life design coach, not having a clear step-by-step process is the # 1 reason I see that prevents capable, smart, and successful clients from taking action.
To solve this problem, I created a simple 5-step process called the T.U.D.O.S. Technique to make decluttering and organizing easier.
(Yup, it’s my last name, making it easy to remember and refer to. Yay to simplicity in all forms!)
Novelty aside, I know the “T.U.D.O.S. Technique works from witnessing the major changes clients experience in their home, work, and personal life after following the 5 steps.
Obstacles are overcome, mindsets are shifted, and shit gets done because you know exactly what to do, in what order, to make space for what matters most in life.
Step 1 = Think
Consider WHY you want to declutter and organize. What internal motivations & external pressures are driving your desire for change? What you want to achieve? When things get challenging, what will you do to manage?
Think about where you are now, where you want to land, and what it will take to bridge that gap. Your WHY is your north star, guiding you throughout all stages of the decluttering and organizing process.
Think about who you want to be and how you want to live your life and work towards becoming and creating THAT during this process (Thanks to @JamesClear of Atomic Habits for this)
Pro Tip: Respond to these phrases. By changing the way my home/workspace/life functions, I’ll feel more _____ and less _____. My space will be more _____ and less _____.This will make my life more _____ and less _____.
Step 2 = Uncover
Uncovering what physical items you have, along with the “mental stuff” you’ve got stored in your head, requires dedicated time, patience, and a non-judgmental attitude.
By recognizing the resistance that may surface (Ex: procrastination, which often masks fear of not doing things correctly or making bad decisions) and working through them in baby steps is key.
In terms of belongings, the only way to manage clutter long-term is to take out ALL items in any given category (not by room/space), sort like with like, and move on to step #3.
Pro Tip: Gather ALL like items into one area before sorting. The volume alone will help you make more informed decisions. Ex: gather purses from closets, backs of doors, wardrobe bags, storage…
Step 3 = Decide
Once items are sorted into like with like categories (be as specific as you can), it’s time to make decisions about what to keep, toss, donate, recycle, sell, act on, and TBD.
Choosing what to do will be easy for some items and quite challenging for others. Memorabilia (Ex: photos and keepsakes) and items that are tied to your identity (Ex: special clothing and books) are often more difficult to part with as we attach ourselves emotionally to certain items.
When in doubt, re-visit your WHY from step # 1.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “Do I love, need, use, or desire this item? Or as Marie Kondo would say, “Does it spark joy?” Trusting your intuition, make your choice and confidently move on.
Step 4 = Organize
Once you know what to keep, the next step is determining how to display, contain, or store items.
Think about your prime estate (the spaces that are easily within reach and require the least amount of work to access) and place key items there.
Depending on your organizing style, lifestyle, and priorities, you may choose out in the open, behind closed doors, and visually full or sparse, when organizing your shelves, cabinets, closets, etc.
Keep a supply of clear bins, boxes, containers, bags, hooks, hangers, labels, and a sharpie on hand.
Pro Tip: Before purchasing organizing products, declutter thoroughly and buy what makes the best sense for you, your items, and your lifestyle.
Step 5 = Sustain
To sustain your organizing systems, the # 1 rule is to always put things away where they belong, which means that everything needs to have a dedicated, easy-to-get- to-and-remember home!
Creating accountability with someone you trust will also increase your chances for success and satisfaction.
Set aside time weekly, monthly, or seasonally to review your decluttering and organizing processes and adapt as needed when your life shifts.
Pro Tip: Add FUN to the process with great tunes, yummy snacks, and a reward at the end that helps you stay motivated. Don’t forget to celebrate your wins.
Having seen what a positive impact decluttering and organizing has on the physical, mental, and emotional lives of diverse clients, I hope that the T.U.D.O.S. Technique helps you overcome those decluttering and organizing challenges that prevent us from living the productive, focused, and creative life we envision.