STYLE Savvy: The Basic Philosophies

As we start off a new year, it's a good time to review the basics. Organizing by STYLE is about taking what you already do and making it work for you. Do you have an I need to see it personal style or an I know I put it somewhere organizational style? Visual cues are your friend. Do you cram and jam? That rigid container or small designer backpack probably isn't your best bet. Do you drop and run? Contain yourself by putting pretty containers in your usual drop spots to decrease the distance between "down" and "away." Whatever your style, maybe this is the year to celebrate it. Pay no attention to the Type A organizers for whom traditional tools work effortlessly. Listen politely as your husband, mother or best friend tells you all about the fantastic tool that got them organized once and for all, but then decide for yourself if it's a good fit for you. Here are three key ideas to keep in mind as you organize by STYLE. Trust yourself. You know your styles better than anyone else. If a tool, planner or system seems like too much work or too good to be true, it probably is -- and that doesn't mean you're lazy. Tools should work in your service, not the other way around. Choose the tools that work for you. Think outside the box. Just because something is marketed for one purpose doesn't mean it can't be used for another. Almost every item has multiple uses. Choose the one that works best for your styles, fits your living space, taste and personality. Be patient. If you, like me, have previously struggled to both look and feel organized (especially at the same time), you may want an instant solution. This isn't that. It takes time to find the tools that are a good fit for you and, if necessary, replace the tools everyone else takes for granted with versions that align with your way of thinking. Remember that the goal is to get organized for the long haul, not just until company leaves. Organizing by STYLE is meant not just to help you get organized, but to help you realize how much you already bring to this process -- something one-size-fits-all approaches rarely consider. As you put these concepts to work, don't be surprised if you feel better about your organizational systems, but about yourself as well. That, in fact, is my hope for you as you join me in this process.