We just finished up a year long ordeal moving our family to a new state. Yes, it took us an entire year to get our house ready to sell, move to the new state, sell our old house from a distance and downsize our life in to our new smaller home. We are still figuring out how to “downsize” our belongings.

After a major life change, it is hard to know how to get things on track in the organization department. Even if you have been settled in your home forever — just getting through normal life can bring a lot of chaos and overflowing closets. If you have kids, you know exactly what I am talking about.

If you are dreading an organizational project around your home, here are five tips to motivate you as you try to restore order!

1. If you feel overwhelmed, set aside a block of time to get life back into order and balance. Put on some lively energetic music and get busy!
2. Focus on your most dreaded task first. Once you dive in, it won’t seem so bad. Once you’ve tackled the worst project, everything else will seem easy.
3. Look at things in your home objectively. Are they adding something of important value or are they just one more thing to dust, store or organize? Are they making it impossible for you to be organized because they are taking up too much space? It is time to say “bye bye” to excess.
4. Not sure where to begin de-cluttering? Try setting a goal of removing half of the items from a cupboard, shelf or closet and then step back to look. Be prepared to be amazed at how energized you’ll feel!
5. Don’t hang on to things you might want “someday.” If you don’t need them now, load up the car and head to your local charity drop off to bless someone else NOW.  Not only will it make your life easier, it will make another family very happy!

photo inspiration: Real Simple