The ‘ only handle it once ’ proficiency will transform your home from chaos to calm .
Photo : Jason Donnelly
As a professional organizer , I ’ve often heard the phrases “ I ’ll deal with it later ” or “ I ’ll put it away later ” from my clients ( and , if I ’m being transparent , from myself occasionally ) . When you ’re busy and overwhelmed , deciding to tidy up later feels like the best thing to do in the moment . But it ’s also whatcauses fuddle to make up overtime — and the problem is made significantly worse if you do n’t have a designated menage for all your things .
Credit:Photo: Jason Donnelly
If you have perpetualpiles of paperwork , wearing apparel , or rouse cords litter every available substantial column inch of open space , try the OHIO organizing method . It ’s a straightforward — yet highly effective — approach that encourages you to deal with each item right away , rather than postponing decision . Learn what the OHIO organizing method acting is and how to implement it into your day-to-day routine . It not only keeps clutter from amass , but also thin the mental tiredness that come along with unvarying tidying .
What Is the OHIO Organizing Method?
As we ’re certain you could guess , the OHIO method has nothing to do with the DoS . alternatively , it ’s an acronym for ‘ only wield it once , ’ and was ab initio popularized in the corporate humankind to assist with email management . It ’s since been adapted as a home organization technique that helps curb fuddle and decision devising ( just as it does with digital clutter , like emails ) .
The OHIO method is based on a simple principle : when you pick something up , decide immediately what to do with it . Either put the detail aside , create a memory board spot for it , add it toa donation grip , discard it , or address it however else you might need to . The key is to avoid jell it down with the intention of deal with it later , save yourself from clutter and stress .
The master advantage of the OHIO approach path is that it serve inhibit unneeded fuddle in your home since you ’re incentivized to take quick action . Handling each item only once reduce the time and energy drop making decisions . Doing so not only creates a kempt physical space but also improves mental distance since you ’re not leave behind dwelling on what to do with your things .
How to Implement the OHIO Method at Home
Applying the OHIO method is simple once you get into the habit . Here are some example of how to do apply it :
Set up your entranceway : Designate specific fleck for essentials such as keys , bags , and shoes . When you arrive home , instantly rank each item in its allot location . Thisprevents entryway clutterfrom accumulating and ensures that everything is easy to get when heading out the door .
wield your post : It ’s easy to let ring mail and other paperwork pile up , but , eventually , it becomes too much to handle . Instead , set aside time each calendar week to sort through each piece of report ( rather than picking it up and shuffle it around multiple multiplication per week ! ) . Toss junk mail , file important documents , and tackle any actionable items at once .
Do a speedy kitchen clean up : After mealtime , have everyone pitch in to quickly reset the table , clean the lulu , and wipe down surfaces . Avoid leaving items in the sink ( soaking a peck or cooking pan is a nonaged exception ) or out on the countertops with the intention of getting to them later . This habit keeps the kitchen tidier and reduce the overall workload at the end of the day .
Keep your closet under controller : When trying on clothes , aim to like a shot hang them back up or place them in the wash . Resist the urge to drape items over article of furniture — like the dreaded‘clothes chair’—or leave them scatter on the level . If you ’re running latterly to an outcome and do n’t have the meter to put away the things that did n’t make the cutting , be certain to do it as soon as you get home so the hole does n’t linger .
Detox your digital clutter : enforce the OHIO method acting as it was originally intended to declutter your digital life . Reply to , organize , or discard emails and messages as you read them rather than revisit them over and over .
Keys to Success
Use the following confidential information to make the most of the OHIO method in your lifetime and plate :
Start small : get down by applying the rule to a specific surface area , such as your desk or entryway , so you may feel confident before expanding to other , large contribution of the family .
Be aware : Be conscious of those moments when you ’re tempted to set something aside " for later . " Instead , challenge yourself to deal with it immediately until it becomes more like 2nd nature .
gear up away time : If you know you wo n’t have the time or energy to , say , tackle themessy bathroom counterbefore your next Zoom meeting , carve out a few minutes later so you’re able to clean up in one savage swoop .
Involve everyone : Encourage the whole household to adopt the OHIO method acting so you ’re not doing it alone . This help little ones learn how to straighten and will also speed up results thanks to the corporate exploit .
Be uniform : Work on making the OHIO method a unconstipated part of your routine so you could harvest the benefit of a tidier strong-arm — and , just as significantly , mental — infinite .
