The Truth About Getting Organized: It’s Not Just Bins and Minimalism
When people think about getting organized, they often picture one of two extremes:
Getting rid of everything they own or buying a bunch of storage bins and hoping for the best.
Neither of those approaches actually solves the problem.
True organization isn’t about living with less for the sake of less—and it’s definitely not about shoving things into pretty containers. It’s about creating systems that support how you actually live.
Decluttering Is Only One Piece of the Puzzle
Decluttering is important—but it’s not the whole story.
Letting go of items you no longer use, need, or love creates breathing room. It makes it easier to see what you have and reduces visual and mental clutter. But decluttering alone doesn’t magically make a space functional.
You can declutter a room completely and still feel stuck if what remains doesn’t have a clear, logical home.
You Don’t Need to Get Rid of Everything You Love
One of the biggest fears I hear is:
“I don’t want to get rid of everything I own.”
Good news—you don’t have to.
Being organized doesn’t mean living like a minimalist or parting with things that matter to you. It means keeping what you genuinely use and love, and then setting it up in a way that makes everyday life easier.
Organization should support your life—not force you into a lifestyle that doesn’t fit.
Storage Bins Aren’t the Solution (But They Can Help)
Storage bins get a lot of credit—and sometimes a little too much blame.
Bins, baskets, and drawers can be incredibly helpful when used intentionally. But buying containers before you know what you’re storing often leads to clutter hiding in plain sight.
The key is this:
First, decide what’s staying
Then, determine where it should live
Then add storage tools if they actually serve a purpose
Storage should solve a problem—not create a new one.
Organization Is a Process, Not a One-Step Fix
Real organization happens at the intersection of:
Decluttering what no longer serves you
Creating clear, practical homes for what does
Adding storage solutions only when they make sense
When those pieces work together, organization becomes sustainable. You’re not constantly redoing the same spaces or feeling frustrated that nothing “sticks.”
And maybe most importantly—you’re not chasing perfection. You’re creating systems that feel calm, manageable, and realistic for your day-to-day life.
Getting organized isn’t about doing more or having less.
It’s about making your space work for you.
Need a Little Help Getting Started?
If you’ve tried decluttering or buying storage bins and still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Many people need support creating systems that actually work for their space and lifestyle—and feel calm, realistic, and manageable.
I’d love to help you get organized in a way that fits your life. Learn more about my organizing services and what working together looks like.
