I Just Need Some Space!: Tips for Decluttering and Reorganizing Your Home Office

Date: February 23, 2021

Presenter: Dr. Ronnie Tiffany Kinder (UH Mānoa)

  • Part 1:  Get grounded:
    • Self-survey:  Do a quick self-assessment on beliefs, attitudes and priorities about work space at home (e.g. Do you like things within arms reach or do you need open space?  Does your space need to be organized before you start?  Or, are you able to work in any type of space provided time is valued and tools are available?)
    • Space-survey: What do you like most about your office space?  What would you like to change? What are your non-negotiables
  • Part 2:  Get started
    • Prep:  as much as possible, take out what you have so you can see what you have to work with
    • Purge:  let go of things that are outdated, unused, broken or have been kept for “someday”
  • Part 3:  Create designated spaces
    • Work (computer, daily work tools (pen, notebook, planner)
    • Resources (binders, textbooks, manuals)
    • Supplies (office supplies:  Pens, papers, clips, etc.)
  • Part 4:  Sustain your space
    • Be sure everything has a home (containers, shelves, bins)
    • Finish what you start (If you bring home supplies, put them away
    • Purge paper daily (ok, maybe weekly)
    • Use open shelving if possible so you can see your resources and supplies
    • Be sure to include things in your space that bring you joy — but not too much! (art, candles, aromatherapy, lighting)