The 5S method

Now that we are soooo close to the new year, I want to talk about organization.

The japanese method of 5s it's not only about organizing your home, but also about how having an organized space helps to your menthal peace.

Are you ready? Let's go!

 

Your brain needs the order

We don't need to appeal to universities researches (though there're a lot of them) to realise that the order in the space around us affects to our well being.

Brain, just like a computer, orders the information it catches to be more efficient, the more distractions there're, more garbage will sneak between that information and it will be more difficult to access later to all those memories.

Noises, unsuitable light or interruptions are clear examples of outside elements that difficult our  concentration.

But, what about objects order?

Maybe you're one of those that have always lived in the chaos and you're now thinking that this isn't for you.

Believe me, I also used to think that....

But, life happens, and with the pass of the years, I've realized that I'm not just more efficient in an organized space, but also it's somehow a weight-lightener when I clear the space I have in front of me (any of them, the desk, the kitchen or even the garage...)

5S method

Curiously this method comes from car industry, from Toyota factories more concretely, it was developed during the 60s to create more organized work spaces and to improve the work environment.

Of course, the 5S are the japanese capilal letters of the words, however it sounds great so....

There we go

Seiri (classification)

Classificate the objects in groups: to keep, to use and to get rid of (donate, sell or throw away).

This remind us to Konmari method, you have to go room by room taking everything you have inside any closet, shelves, anywhere, put it over the floor and sort it in four groups:

- what you want to keep but it's not for regular use

- what you use and need to keep close by

- what you don't want nor use, but it may have a second life

- what you don't want nor use and you wouldn't give it even your worse enemy...

Seito (order)

Once you have clear what you want/need to keep it's the moment to place each object in its place.

For that purpose think about the frecuency you need to use it and where is the most practical place to have it, use the high part of the closets, the storage beside the bed, or the storage room for things you barely use, well, you know...

Seiso (cleaning)

We will start by cleaning just in the moment to replace the objects, and after that, you may create a daily cleaning routine, you don't have to clean all your home everyday, is just to make a bit everyday to keep everything clean.

Seiketsu (standardization)

Take the habit to keep the order everyday. If you get in the habit of putting away each thing just after using it, you will get used to do it and it won't cost you to keep everything visually organized.

Shitsuke (perseverance)

No change is forever if you don't keep yourself perseverant, simplify your life making automatic the processes, things so simple as putting the kitchen gadgets in the dishwasher as soon as you stop using it or put everything in its place in the moment you don't need to use it anymore, will make the difference.

Because, yah, it happens to everyone, you think, bah, when I finish cooking I will pick up everything in once, but if you use the cooking or repose times to retire things, later it will be easier to have everything under control.