purging the study

So, how’s it coming?

Because if you’re anything like us, you’re probably a little tired of it by now. In fact, if you’ve been following along for the last six weeks, you may be totally over it. At least a little. Such is the month of February.

We’ve come a long way, baby!

We’re officially half way there. Six weeks in. Can you see your progress yet? Are you feeling lighter and a little less worried by it all? We’re continuing today with purging the study {and homework spaces}. And nothing worth having, ever comes easy. We’ve totally got this.

So without further ado, a few things to remember:

1. Don’t give up.

It’s perfect timing for all things goals and changes to lose their fizzle like a well-intentioned glass of new year’s champagne. It may feel like they’ve officially sat on the kitchen counter since January and now it’s well… flat.

We get it. We’re with you. And that’s why we spaced this out. While you may not feel like, once again, tackling another space and purging another area, take a step back and look how far you’ve come! It doesn’t have to be perfect, so don’t get discouraged. We’re still pushing forward, so don’t give up the good fight! We paced this out purposefully so that we could make real lifestyle changes you can stick with, at a realistic pace. If you’ve already covered this particular area we’re covering today, feel free to sub in another, and come back… and if you haven’t, just know you’re not alone.

For Narniaaaaaaaaa! Let’s do this. {More thoughts on all things fizzle, here.}

2. All spaces are not created equal

The study area of the home, office, or homework space will be different for everyone depending on what you use it for. But chances are, it does a lot of work for you, if you have one. Today, we’re showing photos of both our studio and homeschool room, because they hold similar items, and serve similar purposes, even though they’re very different.

So whether you’re corralling books, papers, pens, drafting boards, or all the things that come with such spaces, find what works for you as far as a system, and stick with it. That’s the most important part. Let these spaces work hard for you.

3. Do the shuffle 

And do it more than once a year. I’ve found that these two spaces can become more cluttered for us, personally, over time based on our schedules. But its worth it to stay diligent with them, when they start to get out of hand. With our homeschool room, I tend to get the nesting itch right before school begins, and then again after Christmas, when the dust has had a bit of time to settle. It helps to keep tabs on everything, purge, and reevaluate. If it feels like you’re doing a little bit of a shuffle of items from space to space until you find homes for them, you probably are, and that’s okay. Be patient with your process. I just moved wrapping paper out of one space, and then back to its original home. Don’t be afraid to try ideas, scratch them, and start all over again.

Also, with spaces like this, I find that items become well hidden, very quickly. So if it helps, remove everything, and put it back. Find a process that works for you, and roll with it.

4. Keep surfaces clean and floors clear.

And that means keeping yourself in check. We play the ‘musical things’ game every week, between work and school. I even have to remind myself that this is a literal classroom. But it helps at the end of the day, if I clear off the floor and surfaces where we work. That means we keep it in check each day, and at the end of the week reorganize it again to keep our space working and orderly.

5. Keep it contained.

And keep the important things easy to reach. Make sure your space is functional as well as pretty, and that usually helps with corralling all the important stuff into groups. Baskets for books, papers, and supplies. Containers for pencils, crayons, markers, drafting pens, or whatever you use. Spaces like this don’t call for a huge makeover, but if you do an overhaul with the way things are used, it can be a game changer all on it’s own.

6. Assign spaces for things. Don’t let things assign spaces.

Sometimes, there’s a bunch of books from your publisher, and old CDs and a butterfly house, because that’s where they ended up. Just keep yourself in check, and know what’s where. Areas with lots of shelving can help.

7. Question yourself

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. Yes, I did just write that. As much as I love free printables, old watercolors, lens covers and batteries, I know they need a better home than shuffled at the bottom of my drawer. Keep it in check, question why you’re keeping them, and clear it out often.

8. Get help. 

This applies to every space, but especially spaces that children are a part of. It helps them take ownership of their stuff and respect their belongings. If they’re taught to take good care of things, those habits can carry over into every day use. Get them to help you clean up, and when they pitch in, there’s a huge difference in the daily routine maintenance of it all.

9. Allow yourself some eye candy.

It’s okay to allow yourself the pretty, too. Sometimes storage for things can be right out in the open, and make a great accompaniment for everything else going on in your space. Books stacked in fun ways with easy access are great ways to decorate your spaces with. Allow that, too and you’ll enjoy your space!

If you’re like us and love lists, we have our free printables up this week- with a list of things to purge, a blank donation sheet + blank purge list so you can keep up with it all! {donation sheet, organization-study areas, organization-study areas blank}

They go really well with our free 2015 planner, so check it out!

As always, share with us on insta with the #lazygalsguide – you guys are inspiring! we want to see that progress.

We hope you’re enjoying your twelve weeks of purging with The Lazy Gals guide, and we’d love to hear some of your favorite tips for those study/studio/office/homework areas in your home. What works for you in the clutter control department?