STYLE Savvy: An Organization Alphabet

Lisa Hess challenges herself to share old ideas in a new way, and shares an organizing hint for each letter of the alphabet.

I’ve been writing about organization for so long that I thought it might be fun to challenge myself to come up with an organizing hint for every letter of the alphabet. Each letter represents a complete thought (although O and P do connect), so you can read this straight through, stop along the way to zoom in on a hint that you’d like to focus on, read one letter a day for 26 days, or approach it another way entirely.

No matter how you read it, keep in mind, it’s meant to be a lighthearted list, not a to-do list. Here goes!

Adjust your expectations.

The goal is sustainable systems, not perfection.

Believe in yourself.

So many of us who struggle to organize think we just don’t have what it takes when, in truth, we just haven’t found the right combination of tools and strategies.

Containers are key.

Finding the storage tool that fits your space and the way you think is essential to coming up with a long-term, easy-to-use plan.

Don’t put it down, put it away!

A key part of getting organized and staying that way is avoiding the temptation to contribute to the clutter.

Easy Upkeep

This is the end goal: a system that’s so intuitive it’s easy to follow.

Function

Organizing isn’t just a surface thing; at its heart, being organized is about finding what you need when you need it.

Gather like items and store them together.

It’s much easier to find what you need when you need it when it’s in a place that makes sense.

Homes

This one is also known as the first half of an old adage: A place for everything. (The second half is nice, too, but not always achievable on a daily basis).

Include the family.

And encourage them to explore and follow their own styles for their own stuff, while still respecting style differences in shared spaces.

Just start.

So often, we think we need the perfect time or the perfect stretch of time when, in fact, it’s amazing how big a dent we can make in only 15 minutes.

Keep it simple.

The more steps a plan has, the less likely we are to see it through to the end.

Let it go!

Decluttering and re-homing things we no longer need is an unavoidable part of the process.

Manage one space at a time.

This can be challenging when the items from one space spill over into another, but the smaller the task, the more likely we are to complete it.

No time like the present!

Find a spot that needs some TLC and dig in!

Optimism

Because a key part of the process is that things usually get worse before they get better, it’s easy to give up and tell ourselves we’re not cut out for this, but it’s important to stay positive and…

Persist!

But not necessarily all in the same session. Sometimes stepping away now helps us to persist later.

Question the tried and true.

Just because a tool works for other people doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you.

Reach up.

Maximize that vertical space, but don’t put things you need often out of reach, and don’t create dangerous piles in high places — or any places, for that matter.

Start with successes.

Build on what’s already working — what works in one space often works in another as well.

Take small steps.

We get less frustrated that way and are more likely to remember the new homes we found for whatever we moved.

Use it often?

Store it where it will be easily accessible.

Victory is in accomplishment.

Improvement and consistency lead us to sustainable habits.

When do you work best?

Organizing can be hard — set yourself up for success by choosing to work at times of day when energy and concentration are high.

X out unreasonable expectations.

Clearing off the kitchen island by finding homes for the clutter? Reasonable. Making sure your kitchen is Instagram-ready 24/7? Not.

Yes, it has a home.

Homeless items are the biggest contributor to clutter, so finding homes for your belongings is key to getting organized.

Zip through it

When you make up your mind to tackle a space, aim to make quick decisions, and set aside anything that requires contemplation to tackle later.

I was right. This was fun! I hope you enjoy reading it as I enjoyed writing it.

Which of these tips speaks to your biggest organizing challenge?

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Copyright 2026 Lisa Hess
Images: Canva