“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” — Barbara Hemphill
I’m sure each of us has certain areas in the home that are a catch all. You grab the mail and toss it in a regular spot. There is probably a certain location where shoes get kicked off at… and left. Maybe you even have a location where coats or hoodies land… and seem to find a home there! It can be very frustrating when you walk into a relatively organized room and then these eye sores flash before your eyes… and you just feel your shoulders droop and have a sense of frustration.
Well Dragonfly friends you are not alone in this battle of the Hot Spots! Today I would like to focus on a common statement that occurs in my home on a regular basis…. The Walk Through. “What is a walk through?” you ask. Well, it is the next step in my organization series. I’ll touch on Hot Spots in a future blog post, so keep posted for that!
Many of the topics I discuss in this series I learned from an incredible lady named Marla Cilley, A.K.A. The Flylady. Her book, “Sink Relections” taught me how to incorporate all this lessons. It was from the inspirations from her book how I developed my P.M.S. concept! So now lets get into today’s topic!
If you missed my last post in this series, click on thisLINK to go on over to my Podcast & listen to me explaining how to get your life to a state of inner calm, and outer tidiness.
Doing the walk-through…
The walk through is a very basic concept I believe most of us do everyday, but never really had a name for it. It’s easy to apply to our daily schedules and routines and it’s one that children can completely understand. The walk through is simply going through a room and picking up everything that is out-of-place AND putting it away where it belongs. Simply eh?
In the next post we’ll learn what Zonal Cleaning is and how to apply the walk through in it.
“You can hack your brain to form good habits — like going to the gym and eating healthily — simply by repeating actions until they stick, according to new psychological research involving the University of Warwick.” University of Warwick
Various studies have shown that if you repeat the same action for 21 to 28 days, a habit will be formed. I’ve incorporated this aspect into our daily lives over the last fifteen years and it has paid off.
I can see it in my daughter who has her own space now. She likes to organize her son’s toys in the same fashion I use to do her and her brothers. One of my sons has found the organization I instilled in him with his tools, the other with his hobby cars! I also see it in my two youngest sons with their sports & Pokémon cards! So friends, the payoff is there.
With a plastic bag & basket in hand, toss garbage in the bag and items to be put back in the basket.
Start from the top & work your way down. For example table tops, bookshelves, couches and chairs and then onto the floor. Be sure to look under the furniture. Gather up what needs to be put away in the basket, put trash in the bag.
Once you’ve completed the walk through, I suggest you vacuum or sweep the floor. That gives the finished look!
The walk through is not ‘cleaning’ day, it’s something that should be done repeatedly through the day and especially right before bed. Vacuuming only once unless needed more.
Generally there are three times of day I like to do a ‘walk-through’-
Just before lunch- this is when we typically vacuum if needed.
Just before supper- this makes for a more relaxing meal.
Finally, right before bed! This is the most important one in my opinion. The worst feeling is waking up to a mess!
Now that you have this new tool in your cleaning bucket, you can start utilizing it to keep your home even tidier!
Keep posted for my next topic in my organization series: Zonal Cleaning.
If you enjoyed this blog, please LIKE, Follow & of course Share! Let me know what you think, I love your feedback!
If you aren’t following me on Facebook go on over & give it a like & follow me for daily tips & tricks for the home and garden!
8 thoughts on “Organization 101 Day 5: Doing the ‘Walk-Through’~ Check this out!”
Great post! I love the idea of the walk-through as a simple and easy concept to apply to daily routines. I especially appreciate the emphasis on repeating the action for 21-28 days to form a habit. I’ve been trying to incorporate this concept into my own life and it’s been helpful in keeping my living space more organized. I also appreciate the reference to Marla Cilley’s book, “Sink Relections” and the PMS concept. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next post in this series on Zonal Cleaning. Thank you for sharing your tips and insights on organization.
Great motivation. I’ve found as I’ve gotten older, it’s easier to declutter. One advantage of being an empty nester is packing my kids’ stuff up.. it does feel good
Really like this strategy. My daughter and granddaughter do a walkthrough in the kitchen and living room before supper. I will try to incorporate it here.
Thank you!!! I’m sure you will get it accomplished! Downsizing can bring both joy & sorrow!!! In our recent move I went from a 4000 square foot home with a 2000 square foot pole barn with a fan cave & 7 acres to a 2700 square foot home with a yard :-). Next downsize will take place in 6 years when Dave & I retire down south. We are looking for a small 2 bedroom condo… I’m just taking it one day at a time. Good luck to you & thanks for stopping by!
For Dragonflies And Me 
Great post! I love the idea of the walk-through as a simple and easy concept to apply to daily routines. I especially appreciate the emphasis on repeating the action for 21-28 days to form a habit. I’ve been trying to incorporate this concept into my own life and it’s been helpful in keeping my living space more organized. I also appreciate the reference to Marla Cilley’s book, “Sink Relections” and the PMS concept. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next post in this series on Zonal Cleaning. Thank you for sharing your tips and insights on organization.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the thoughtful response Paul! Keep pressing on!
LikeLike
Great motivation. I’ve found as I’ve gotten older, it’s easier to declutter. One advantage of being an empty nester is packing my kids’ stuff up.. it does feel good
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa! Organization is for everyone, single, parent, or empty nester! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Really like this strategy. My daughter and granddaughter do a walkthrough in the kitchen and living room before supper. I will try to incorporate it here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome!!! It really does make a difference!
LikeLike
Pingback: Organization 101 Day 10: Room by Room Organization~ Let’s talk about your Family or Living Room! – For Dragonflies And Me
Thank you!!! I’m sure you will get it accomplished! Downsizing can bring both joy & sorrow!!! In our recent move I went from a 4000 square foot home with a 2000 square foot pole barn with a fan cave & 7 acres to a 2700 square foot home with a yard :-). Next downsize will take place in 6 years when Dave & I retire down south. We are looking for a small 2 bedroom condo… I’m just taking it one day at a time. Good luck to you & thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike