Confession time. What drives you to organize? Are you the type who craves order? Do you dream of labeled stackable containers and tidy desk drawers?
Or do you choose to organize only when you’ve hit rock bottom in the clutter department, when you can’t find your keys (again) and headaches are the norm?
We live in a world fascinated with household organization. Since its release in 2011, Marie Kondo’s landslide hit, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has sold more than 11 million copies. You can read it in one of 40 languages. (Or if you’re more of a television person, Netflix has you covered.) Our Founder’s website, Becoming Minimalist, welcomes over 1 million readers each month.
The home organization industry generated $16 billion in 2016 and, as of 2018, was growing at 4% each year. It’s safe to speculate that 2020’s quarantine will kick that rate up a few notches. The pandemic bumped everyone into a nesting state. With all the unexpected extra time at home, many decided to see their spaces—to see life itself—through a new lens.
We know organization is not limited to physical spaces. Wherever there is mess, there is opportunity for order. Certain projects require more TLC—sorting a kitchen cabinet is not equal to sorting one’s priorities—but either way, the goal is the same: intuitive harmony. Order from chaos. A space or process that bears witness to its purpose and promotes peace.
In an organized home, the morning rush slows to a delightful pace. Your favorite cardigan is exactly where it belongs. So are your glasses. Mismatched snack containers aren’t crowding the kitchen, and routine cooking is less stormy, more breezy.
The biggest perk of organization? Some might call it margin. I call it room to breathe. Time is a finite resource, and when life itself is buried under clutter, we spend precious minutes searching for what we need. Streamlining redeems time and offers space to create and thrive.
If you’re ready to breathe deeply and see life itself through a tidy new lens, this one’s for you. We’re exploring the concept of order within the home and beyond. Our guests are best known for inspiring millions to downsize and organize everything from socks and toys to finances and social media profiles. Each lends their niche expertise and provides practical pointers.
Roll up your sleeves and dust off your imagination. An orderly world of possibility awaits.
With you on the journey,
Elissa Joy Watts, Managing Editor
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