We’ve all heard this saying before. It basically means don’t do things in the wrong order. This phrase comes to mind when someone asks me, ‘what organizing containers, bins, baskets, etc. should I get?’ before they’ve even started the organizing process. It’s so easy to get hung up on all the cool products out there for organizing. But we don’t want to put the cart before the horse.

The very first step in organizing is decluttering. Generally the reason our space is not organized is because we have too much stuff in our space. Our things don’t have a proper home. Decluttering means to remove what you no longer need or use. The easiest way to get started decluttering is to take a trash bag in the room and throw away any trash laying around, old paperwork, broken stuff, etc. How do you feel? Still have some energy? Take one area, for example, the dresser drawer and bag up anything you don’t like or doesn’t fit anymore. These items can be donated. This is a good place to stop if you’re tired. You can pick back up another day. If you have energy , you can do another drawer. Eventually your entire room will be done.

Once your decluttering is done, you can figure out which organizational items you may need. Just remember the right order of things: Decluttering first, organizing second!