Taking a Fresh Look at Your Space

As a new mom, I've encountered more organizational challenges over the past few months than I can count. One challenge that recently came up when chatting with other new moms is the issue of baby-proofing our once adults-only homes for our soon-to-be crawling little ones. We were talking about how tough it's going to be, especially with our sleep-deprived brains, to think of all the potential hazards our crawling cuties could get into.

Since baby-proofing is not an option but a must-do, we quickly started talking about solutions. Of course there are books on the subject and do-it-yourself checklists online, both of which can highlight the generic pitfalls that all homes have and make you think about other potential issues. There are also baby-proofing professionals you can call in to do a personalized assessment and even take care of the process from start to finish - we all agreed this could be a great option!

I was most fascinated by another clever solution someone brought up. How do you know what potential dangers to a baby exist in your home? Get on the floor and crawl around! Seriously! You will immediately begin to see what looks shiny and interesting, what you could pull down, and what might be on the floor in your way. I thought this was just brilliant!

And while taking a baby's view of our condo will be part of my baby-proofing plan, my mind immediately turned toward how this suggestion applies to organizing and decluttering. Taking a fresh look at your space is a great way to help you declutter as well. Now, this doesn't mean you have to get on your hands and knees (but this is certainly a valid option). It just means you need to take a different view of the 'stuff' that tends to fade into the background when we cruise through our homes on a daily basis. When a new view opens your eyes to all the stuff you've been walking by or maybe even tripping over, ask yourself these questions:

• What is it?
• Why do I have it?
• Do I need it/use it/love it?

If the answer to the last question is "no," it's probably time for it to go. If the answer is "yes," ask yourself whether its current home is the best place for it. If not, find a new home that makes sense. I have a feeling I'll be finding lots of new homes for things during the baby-proofing process!

Bottom Line: Whether you get on the floor or you call in an outside set of eyes (note: a professional organizer might be a better option than a judgemental family member or friend :), take a fresh look at your space and you'll no doubt find things that have over-stayed their welcome. Get ready to say hello to reclaimed space!