To celebrate Decluttering Diva’s 5th Birthday I’m giving you a gift… I’m debunking some popular organising myths.

1. Containers are the key

Not everything needs to be contained. One of my pet peeves is seeing linen cupboards with all the linen in plastic containers – it’s just not necessary and a waste of money.

2. What works for you works for me

There is no one size fits all when it comes to organising. I don’t have a linen cupboard so we store the sheets in the bedrooms and the towels in the bathrooms. That may not work for you. It all about find systems that work for your home and factoring in your layout, the people in it, the items you own, the space or storage available.

3. You got to do it all

Often when people think about getting organised they feel that have to block out a weekend (or week) and tackle it all in one go. I say no way do it in stages – build on your progress and you’ll be far more likely to stick with your new organising systems. Pulling everything out of wardrobe, spare room or garage may seem enthusiastic but more often than not it just turns to feelings of being overwhelmed and anxiety.

4. Label the lot

Labels can be helpful that’s for sure but you don’t need to label EVERYTHING. Yes for sure label the flour and self raising, cornflour and icing sugar look pretty similar too but for sure you can tell what is pasta or rice.

5. Looks perfect like those pics on the internet

Being organised has nothing to do with fancy folder, pretty matching baskets, laser cut labels etc. Organised literally means to systemise, or to form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinating parts… ie sorting “like with like” (one of my favourite phrases!) Putting things together that work together for YOU even if doesn’t look like a show home. For example I like to have my hand cream near my favourite seat so it helps me remember to moisturise my hands and I store my coffee and tea near my kettle and cups not in the pantry.

I want nothing more than for you to know that having a decluttered and organised home is about enjoying your space not feeling like a slave to it. I want you to let go of those preconceived ideas of what organised looks like and take the control back. Take action and start – I know that can be the hardest step – start something small like a drawer. It’s doesn’t need to look fancy but just work for you.

I hope this has encouraged you to keep going and get the #divaeffect in your home.

Happy Decluttering!