Opening Words

Yesterday, after doing a major cleanup of my home, I couldn't help but reflect as I looked at the refreshed rooms. Looking back on my organizational journey over the years, it's truly been an evolution from a "storage novice" to an "organization expert." From initially being obsessed with storage gadgets and impulsively buying them, to later being influenced by the "Danshari" philosophy, and now developing my own "Smart Organization" system, I've really experienced a lot! Today I'd like to share my insights, hoping to inspire those who are also struggling with organization.

My Past Self

When I first started working, I couldn't resist whenever I saw storage displays from organization bloggers on Xiaohongshu. Those spotless kitchens, perfectly aligned closets, and various exquisite storage boxes made me yearn for the same. My thinking was very simple then: if I just bought enough storage tools, my room would surely become as perfect as those in the pictures!

So I began my shopping frenzy. My Taobao favorites were filled with all kinds of storage items, from simple clear storage boxes to elegant jewelry organizers, from fabric storage baskets to multi-functional shelving units. I would add anything I liked to my cart. I remember during one "Double Eleven" shopping festival, I spent nearly 2,000 yuan on storage products alone. But what was the result? The storage boxes I bought piled up in corners, things became harder to find, and my room didn't become any tidier.

I was a typical example of storage misconceptions then, always thinking that continuously buying new storage items would solve the problem. Looking back, it was completely backwards. According to data from a certain e-commerce platform, storage product sales increased by 35% year-over-year in 2023, with over 40% of users repeatedly purchasing similar products within six months. These statistics made me realize that quite a few people fall into this trap.

Encountering Change

Life's turning points often come unexpectedly. One weekend in early 2022, while organizing my overwhelmingly full bookshelf, I discovered a copy of "Danshari" buried at the bottom. This book by Japanese organization expert Yamashita Eiko completely transformed my understanding of organization.

It turns out organization is far more than simply putting things away. Yamashita's "Danshari" philosophy emphasizes first "dan" (cutting off) at the source, stopping ineffective purchasing behavior; then learning to "sha" (dispose), letting go of unnecessary attachments to items; and finally "ri" (separating), freeing life from dependence on material things. These three steps are interconnected and all essential.

This concept was like lightning, instantly illuminating my blind spots. I began reflecting on my shopping behavior and realized many things I bought were just impulse purchases that I'd never use. So I made up my mind and began a thorough home revolution.

The first step was clearing out storage items. I took out all the storage boxes in my home and checked what was inside each one. I discovered many storage boxes were actually empty, while others contained completely useless items. In the end, I cleared out three large boxes of storage items, which alone freed up considerable space in my room.

During the organization process, I found that 95% of my storage problems ultimately stemmed from having too many items. Rather than racking my brain for storage solutions, it was better to reduce purchases at the source. This realization made me start re-examining my consumption habits, asking myself an extra question whenever I wanted to buy something: do I really need this?

The Path of Evolution

However, as times change, I discovered that the traditional "Danshari" philosophy also needs to evolve. Especially in this increasingly smart era, organization should become more intelligent and efficient. Through countless practices and summaries, I gradually developed my own "Smart Organization" method.

Smart Planning

Space planning is the first step before starting organization. My method is to first take photos of every corner of the home with my phone, including places that are easily overlooked. These photos help us examine our living space from a more objective perspective.

For example, through photos, I discovered that the wall space utilization in my home was particularly low. After measuring, about 25% of the storage space in the entire room was being wasted. Especially vertical spaces like walls, behind doors, and furniture tops are all good places for storage.

So I began transforming these overlooked spaces. I installed a set of wall-mounted storage racks, which not only looked stylish but also added 2 square meters of storage space. I also added hooks behind doors for storing frequently used bags and coats. The space above furniture wasn't wasted either, used to store seasonal bedding and other infrequently used items.

When planning storage spaces, I paid special attention to lighting. I placed frequently accessed items in well-lit positions, making them not only easy to find but also preventing mold. I also planned item storage locations based on room orientation, trying to avoid direct sunlight on items that fade easily.

Smart Classification

Classification is the most crucial step in organization, but many people struggle with this step. After multiple attempts, I developed a simple and practical "321 Rule."

First is "3," dividing all items into three categories: necessities, potentially needed items, and basically unused items. This step seems simple, but achieving accurate classification isn't easy. My advice is to be ruthless in categorizing, don't give yourself too many excuses. For example, that piece of clothing you haven't worn in three years, no matter how expensive, should decisively go into the "basically unused" category.

Then comes "2," giving yourself a two-week observation period. During these two weeks, focus on the usage frequency of "potentially needed" items. I record the use of each item in my phone's notes, allowing for more objective assessment of their necessity. Two weeks is neither too long nor too short, just right for rationally judging whether these items are truly worth keeping.

Finally is "1," keeping only what you really need. After two weeks of observation, those items marked as "potentially needed" but never actually used can be decisively cleared out.

This method might sound extreme, but data shows that about 60% of items in average households haven't been used in the past year. Think about it - what an astonishing waste! Through this method, the number of items in my home decreased by nearly half, but quality of life didn't decline; instead, it significantly improved due to more open space.

Smart Storage

In actual storage implementation, I now mainly follow the "Three Proximity Principles," which maximize storage practicality.

The "Near Eye" principle means placing frequently used items within sight range. For example, on my study's bookshelf, I placed frequently referenced reference books at eye level, while less frequently read books are placed on higher or lower shelves. This design not only facilitates access but also creates a visually orderly feeling.

The "Near Hand" principle emphasizes placing frequently used items within arm's reach. This requires careful observation of daily usage frequency. For example, in my vanity drawers, the top drawer contains daily skincare and makeup products, the middle drawer holds occasionally used accessories and special occasion makeup, and the bottom drawer stores backup items and seasonal items.

The "Near Path" principle considers item usage flow. This principle is especially suitable for functional areas like kitchens and bathrooms. In my kitchen, seasonings are divided into three layers based on usage frequency: most frequently used seasonings like soy sauce and salt are in the middle layer, within easy reach; less frequently used spices and sauces are on the top layer, requiring a slight tip-toe; while rarely used special seasonings are on the bottom layer.

This storage method not only saves time but also reduces unnecessary physical effort. More importantly, it follows ergonomic principles, making daily life more comfortable.

Smart Maintenance

The most challenging part is actually the subsequent maintenance work. Even the most perfect storage system will quickly fail without continuous maintenance. To make organization become an effortless daily habit, I now use the "1-3-5" time management method.

Spend 1 minute before bed each night quickly surveying the room, returning casually placed items to their proper places. This habit may seem trivial, but the effects are very noticeable when maintained. Like brushing teeth and washing face, it lets you wake up to a tidy environment the next day, improving your mood.

Spend 3 minutes each week checking one small area in detail. For example, check the wardrobe this week, the bookshelf next week, and the kitchen the week after. During checks, adjust unreasonable storage methods promptly, ensuring each area maintains optimal condition. These regular checks also help us discover potential problems early, such as changes in item usage frequency, allowing timely adjustment of their storage locations.

Spend 5 minutes each month reviewing overall organization results, seeing which areas still need optimization. This step is especially important because our living habits are constantly changing, and storage systems need to evolve too. For instance, I discovered that after working from home, study storage needs changed significantly, so I adjusted the storage plan accordingly.

After six months of persistence, the results were very significant. Home tidiness improved by 80%, and time spent finding things decreased by 70%. More importantly, organization was no longer a headache-inducing project but became an effortless daily habit.

Final Words

From initially hoarding storage items, to encountering the "Danshari" philosophy, to now forming my own "Smart Organization" system, my understanding of organization has undergone tremendous changes along this journey. Now, I no longer blindly pursue the perfect storage effects seen on social media, but focus more on practicality and sustainability.

Organization is actually quite similar to our lives. It's not about buying more things or having to discard everything; the key is finding the right balance for yourself. A good storage solution should both meet practical needs and not add extra burden to life.

The ultimate purpose of organization is to make life easier and better, not to add pressure. I hope sharing my experiences and insights can provide some inspiration for those struggling with organization. Let's work together to create a more comfortable living space!

By the way, do you have any organization troubles now? Or do you have any useful organization methods to share? Welcome to leave comments, maybe we can discuss together and find better solutions!