The first step to an organized space is visualization. The first ACTION step to an organized space is decluttering. It's choosing which of your possessions you want to keep - which you use, which you love, and which brings you joy. It's letting go of guilt, the parts of the past that aren't part of your future, and the weight (literally and figuratively) of clutter. Decluttering clears the way (again: literally and figuratively) for you and your family to live the life you want and deserve. The first step to getting what you want is getting rid of what you don't. Wow, right? But those of you who have started decluttering know: it's easier said than done.

We all have goals - milestones we want to reach. So why is it that some people reach their goals and some don't? Why do 80% of us fail to reach our New Year's Resolutions with the majority of us giving up by mid-February? Why do 25% of us give up after 7 days? What can you do differently for a better chance at success?

​Life change of any kind can cause stress, and moving is no exception. It can take over a year to adjust to new surroundings, which may sound daunting when you're only on week one in your unknown environment. Experts provide tips such as unpacking ASAP, exploring your new abode, and spending as much time there as possible, but there are also other ways to settle into your new home that require little effort — help lies ahead. 

Whether the space you're organizing is large or small, cluttered to the ceiling or just a little over-stuffed, filled with shoes and clothes or pasta and canned peas - the general organization process is the same. Follow these steps for a more organized space.

Even if you dread cleaning, you can’t deny that it feels good after it's done. However, the benefits of cleaning aren't limited to that glowing feeling of pride you feel when you survey your spotless house. Cleaning and tidying have very real, very tangible effects on our physical and mental health. If you’re committed to taking better care of yourself this year, you should be committed to taking better care of your home.

Habits and routines are powerful - as anyone who's worked to break a bad habit can tell you. As harmful as bad habits are and as difficult as they are to change, good habits and beneficial routines are just as powerful. Creating routines that are meaningful and that you can accomplish, will help you create good habits and will lead to a happier, more organized, more fulfilling life. 

​No matter how much you love your home, everyone has those moments when they realize that their abode could do with a little sprucing up. However, you don’t have to break out the sledgehammer for big renovations to breathe new life into your home — even simple updates can do the trick when you want something new. Try one or more of the following decor tips before you call your contractor for a big, pricey project.

If you're reading this as it goes live, you may have just made New Year's Resolutions related to organization. If not, you still have goals, personal or professional, that are either related to organization or would benefit from a more organized space, home, or office. Once you've decided which space to focus on, how do you begin? What's the best thing you can do to set yourself up for success? We'll tell you. The best part: it doesn't cost a thing.

Jen, Founder and Lead Organizer at JAM Organizing, takes the time to sort donations before taking them to several different local charities.