Organizing

Saturation is a term not typically used in conversations. It means adding something to a system and using that system to capacity. It’s a word to describe something that cannot hold anything else inside of it. A wet hand towel is an example of saturation. Adding water over time will reach a point where it cannot hold anymore. That is when you get to the term super-saturation. You guessed it – that towel would be dripping with water – it simply has nowhere else to go. Sugar added to coffee or tea is another example. You don’t measure exact amounts and could add too much. If you add too much, it simply sits at the bottom of the container- that’s super-saturation. Your home is a container, like a soaking wet towel or cup of coffee. Adding too much stuff will cause your surroundings to get saturated. When that stuff has nowhere to go, it spills off on top of dressers, chairs, or the floor. Saturating your home with things happens, but it isn’t good. What’s worse is super-saturating.

1. 1. Below are helpful tips to assist you in reversing the effects of saturation.
      
      1. Observation
         
         1. Make notes of what you and others use in the kitchen. For example, whoever uses the mixer, pots, pans, silverware, plates, bowls, and cups. Continue in the bathroom, bedroom, and the rest of your abode. Make a list as brief as possible.
         2. Write down the time of day and the duration of each task. We’ll come back to this later.
      2. Set a goal
         
         1. What is your intent? Think of the thing which causes you to stress. Please write it down and include why it upsets you. It could be things on kitchen countertops, shoes kicked off in different directions, or bath towels on the floor. Make notes of these things and focus on them – your goal.
      3. Start small
         
         1. Break your goal down into segments. Is organizing your bedroom your plan? Which part of your bedroom causes you to stress? Write each piece down – closet, underneath the bed, nightstands. Break it down further – which part of the closet, where under the bed, and where on the nightstands. Pull everything out of that small segment. Be honest with yourself. What do you use daily? What do you ‘maybe’ need?
      4. Discuss options
         
         1. Again, be honest with yourself. Keep the things you use daily. Question what you maybe use and items you last saw months ago or longer. You keep things based on a reason at a certain point in time. Many of those points in time have gone. So, what is truly necessary? Collect those unnecessary things and ask yourself questions like – is this useful? Yard sale, donate, Facebook marketplace, or trash. Make a box for each option and put it in there.