Preface

To be honest, I was so tired of coming home to a mess every day! As someone born after 1995, I used to be terrible at organizing. My desk was always cluttered with various items, and clothes would stay wherever I tossed them for days. Whenever I wanted to clean up, looking at that chaos would give me a headache, so I'd just give up. However, over the past two years, through constant exploration and practice, I finally found an organization system that works for me, and the results have been incredible! My room is now so tidy that even my mom is amazed, and when friends visit, they ask, "Is this really where you live?"

Mental Preparation

Honestly, when I first started organizing, I was extremely reluctant. Looking at the mess all over my room made life feel gloomy. Especially when I saw those perfect organization photos posted by bloggers online, I felt even more discouraged. Later, I realized that instead of envying others, I should start with myself.

Now I treat organizing like a real-life simulation game, with each area being a new map to unlock. For example, organizing my desk is the "Desk Battle" mission, and tackling the closet is the "Wardrobe Warrior" level. Through this approach, I discovered that the previously boring task of organizing became interesting! Sometimes I'd get so absorbed in organizing that hours would pass without me noticing.

I remember once while organizing my drawer, I found a concert ticket from three years ago - it was from my first time seeing my idol perform! Although it was just an ordinary ticket stub, it brought back all the excitement from that day. It felt like playing an archaeology game, never knowing what treasure you might discover next.

Space Planning

As someone who rents, I truly understand the pain of not having enough space. I rent a 30-square-meter studio, but through my exploration over the past two years, I've found that space isn't really the key issue.

Take my closet for example. I used to think it was too small and could never fit all my clothes. Later, I bought some layered storage racks from Taobao and stocked up on vacuum storage bags from JD. Guess what? The closet that could only hold 20 pieces of clothing before can now easily fit over 40! Plus, I no longer have to dig through everything to find clothes - each piece is neatly arranged in its place.

Then there's my desk, which used to be covered with books and stationery, leaving no room for my computer. Later, I found an adjustable monitor stand online that suspended my monitor in the air, freeing up a huge amount of desk space. Combined with some wall-mounted storage boxes, my desk is now always clean and tidy.

What I'm most proud of is utilizing the space under my bed. I bought several flat storage boxes with wheels and stored infrequently used items in them. They slide out easily when needed and are completely hidden when pushed back in. Through this approach, my 30-square-meter studio effectively functions like a 60-square-meter storage space!

Classification

Speaking of classification, I used to be a complete "hoarder." I would stockpile skincare products, snacks, stationery - whenever I saw something cute, I wanted to buy it. As a result, my home was filled with all sorts of things, but I rarely used most of them.

Later, I realized one principle: not all items deserve equal treatment. So I started categorizing all items by level:

Daily necessities are like main equipment in a game, so they should be placed in the most accessible locations. For example, my daily skincare and makeup products are placed in the most visible spot on my dressing table. Toiletries are on the bathroom shelf, within easy reach.

Occasionally used items are like secondary weapons - they can be stored away but not too far. For example, some of my small appliances are in my bedside table drawer. They're easy to find when needed but don't take up space when not in use.

Rarely used items are like collectibles and can be stored in corners or storage rooms. For example, my mementos and seasonal items are stored in boxes under my bed.

Through this classification, I found my life efficiency improved significantly. Previously, just finding things would waste a lot of time, but now I know where everything is even with my eyes closed. More importantly, this classification system has given me a clearer understanding of my possessions and helped me better control my shopping impulses.

Storage Tips

When it comes to specific storage techniques, I'm most proud of inventing the "Sandwich Storage Method." I named it myself because this storage method is like making a sandwich, emphasizing distinct layers.

Take my closet for example. The outer layer consists of my daily battle gear: various T-shirts, hoodies, and jeans. These clothes are worn most frequently, so they're placed in the most accessible position. When I'm in a rush to leave in the morning, I can quickly grab them and put together a comfortable outfit.

The middle layer is my social equipment: formal wear, blazers, and other slightly more formal clothes. Although not worn daily, they're essential for important occasions. Placing them in the middle layer keeps them from wrinkling and makes them relatively easy to find.

The innermost layer is my seasonal equipment and special occasion clothes: down jackets, swimwear, formal dresses, and the like. These clothes might only be worn a few times a year, so they can stay tucked away in the back.

I even did a small experiment, specifically timing the difference. Before using this method, I would spend nearly 10 minutes just picking out clothes each morning, and often get frustrated when I couldn't find what I wanted to wear. Now? It takes 30 seconds max! That adds up to saving over 60 hours a year - enough time to watch an entire Korean drama series!

Habit Formation

To be honest, developing good organization habits isn't easy. I remember when I first started, everything would be messy again just two days after organizing. That feeling of defeat was really discouraging.

But later I discovered that the key is finding a rhythm that works for you. For example, I established a "Ten-Minute Home Rule": the first ten minutes after getting home must be spent putting away personal items. Things from my bag need to be taken out, changed clothes need to be hung up, trash needs to be thrown away. At first, I had to watch the clock on my phone, but now it's become completely instinctive.

I also have a "Weekend Deep Clean" tradition, spending one hour thoroughly organizing my room every weekend. You might not believe it, but I actually look forward to this time now. Organizing while listening to music helps me relax. Plus, the sense of achievement after seeing the clean and tidy room is really addictive!

Advanced Techniques

Once you've mastered the basic organization methods, you can try some more advanced techniques. I'm most proud of my "Container Nesting Method." I came up with this name too, inspired by Russian nesting dolls.

How does it work? Let me use my jewelry organization as an example. I have a large transparent storage box containing several smaller boxes. Each small box is used for different types of jewelry: one for earrings, one for necklaces, one for rings. Within the small boxes, items are further divided by material and style using even smaller compartments or pouches.

The benefits are numerous! First, it protects jewelry from damage; second, it makes things easy to find; and most importantly, it looks extremely neat. My jewelry used to be a jumbled mess, and I often couldn't find the piece I wanted to wear. Now I can see all my jewelry at a glance just by opening the storage box, making selection super convenient.

I also use this method to organize my skincare and makeup products. As we all know, these bottles and jars can easily look cluttered when placed together. I bought a multi-drawer storage box, with each drawer containing different types of products. Then within each drawer, I place smaller boxes to group products from the same series or brand together. This not only looks pleasing but is also very practical.

The best part is that through this method, my desktop only holds essential items, while everything else is stored neatly away. Before, finding a lipstick meant turning everything upside down, but now I can grab exactly what I want instantly. The efficiency improvement is incredible!

Common Mistakes

Speaking of mistakes, I have plenty of experience. When I first started researching organization, I would buy whatever was recommended online. Storage boxes, storage bags, storage racks - I bought tons of them. The result? These storage items themselves became a new burden, with some still collecting dust in corners.

I really want to warn everyone: don't organize just for the sake of organizing! Before buying any storage items, you must think through several questions:

First, is this item really suitable for my space? I made this mistake - bought a huge storage cabinet only to find it wouldn't fit, and had to return it.

Second, do I really need so many storage items? Sometimes instead of buying new storage boxes, it's better to get rid of unnecessary things first. I previously bought at least 20 small storage boxes, but only regularly use maybe 5 or 6.

Finally, does this storage method suit my usage habits? For example, some people recommend folding clothes into small squares, saying it saves space. But after trying it for a while, I found it too troublesome, having to refold clothes every time I took them out - I just couldn't stick with it.

Continuous Improvement

Organization is truly a process that needs constant optimization. I now do a "check-up" of my storage system every quarter. How do I do it?

First is clearing and checking. I inspect each storage space to see what items are no longer needed and can be disposed of. This includes expired skincare products, accessories I no longer like, clothes I haven't worn in a long time, etc.

Then comes usage evaluation. I think about whether the current storage methods are really working well and if there are areas needing improvement. For example, I used to roll my socks into little balls and put them in drawers, thinking it looked neat. But later I found this made pairing them difficult, so I switched to using small compartments for categorization, which works much better.

Finally, space optimization. As lifestyle rhythms change, the frequency of use for certain spaces might change. This requires reorganization. For example, since I've been working from home more recently, I reorganized the storage around my desk, placing office supplies in more accessible locations.

Through this regular review and adjustment, my storage system continues to evolve. From the initial chaos to the current orderliness, this process has taught me deeply that organization isn't just about arranging items - it's about organizing your lifestyle. Each optimization makes life easier and more enjoyable.

Future Outlook

Honestly, smart home technology is developing so fast! I've already seen some super cool smart storage products, like closets that can automatically categorize clothes and shelves that automatically adjust height based on usage frequency. These new technologies are really tempting.

However, ultimately, I think the most important aspect of organization is developing good habits. Even the smartest tools will end up in chaos if the user doesn't have good habits. It's like our smartphones - no matter how powerful their functions are, if we don't organize apps and files well, they'll still become a mess.

After two years of practice, I've truly experienced the changes good organization brings. Not only has my living environment improved, but my mood has become more pleasant too. Coming home to a neat and orderly space every day is really therapeutic.

If you're struggling with organization, why not start trying these methods I've shared today? Remember, change doesn't have to happen overnight - take it slow, start with the basics, and you'll definitely be able to create an enviably tidy space too!