A Must-read For Beginner Organizing Enthusiasts! Zhao Jing’s Organizing And Storage Class Analyzes Basic Practical Operations And Psychological Mechanisms
Space planning: Upgrading thinking from "functional zoning" to "life lines"
After listening to Teacher Keiko’s class, I first redrawn the floor plan of my home on paper. In the past, my understanding of design was to stuff furniture into rooms. However, the "line of life" repeatedly emphasized in the course made me suddenly realize: the key to planning is not things, but people. Then, I took out a piece of A4 paper and recorded every action I took from getting up to going to bed every day, such as washing, changing clothes, making breakfast and going out. Then based on these actions, check whether the position of the items is above the "golden moving line". For example, in the past, my coffee machine was placed in the farthest corner from the sink. Every time I made coffee, I had to carry the dripping filter through most of the kitchen area. At the moment, I gathered all the breakfast-related utensils on the right side of the workbench. The sink, cutting board, and coffee machine formed a triangular area. This kind of planning is not for the sake of beauty, but to make every movement as smooth as silk.
Layout optimization: Reshape the living room and bedroom with the “28 principle”
In the past, my living room coffee table was often filled with remote controls, snacks, and unread magazines. It was a typical "clutter disaster area." The "80/20 principle" mentioned in the course, that is, 80% hidden and 20% exposed, gave me clear instructions for transformation. I started to look at the living room. Those items that must be used every day, such as remote controls and paper towels, belong to the 20% "dew". However, they need a delicate and beautiful tray to "settlement" to avoid becoming cluttered; while those souvenirs and books that are occasionally read belong to 80% of the "hidden". I bought rattan storage baskets and placed them in the drawers under the TV cabinet.
The optimization of the bedroom layout really touched my heart. Teacher Keiko mentioned the "dream department", and I realized that the bedside table should not just be a place for mobile phones and water bottles. I cleared the second shelf of my bedside table, laid out a silk scarf, my favorite scented candle, and a bedtime book. Such small changes transform the bedroom from a simple sleeping space into a resting place that nourishes the soul. And the essence of layout optimization is to let the space serve the life we long for.
Zoning Methods: From "Closet Explosion" to "Golden Zone" Rules
When I was organizing my closet, I was stuck in a cycle where everything was neatly stacked, but once I picked it up, it became disorganized. The "golden area" rule taught in the course completely solved this problem. I implemented vertical partitioning of the wardrobe:
In the golden area from the waist to eye level, hang tops and dresses that are often worn in the season. This area is my "efficient decision-making area".
In the silver area (the lower part that is close to your hands), you can store pants and household clothes in drawer-type storage boxes, and use PP drawer-type storage boxes to fold them upright, so that the status of the items is clear and visible at a glance.
Bronze area (high or deep) : Store seasonal bedding and luggage.
What benefited me the most was the practice of the "dream department". I set aside a space for hanging clothes hangers on the innermost side of the wardrobe, specifically for hanging clothes that I plan to wear next week or a new piece of clothing that is a bit challenging. This divided area is not for storage, but for preview and anticipation. Every day when I open the wardrobe, I can see a new possibility.
Practical steps: the closed loop of emptying-categorizing-filtering-storing
I strictly followed the four-step method in the course, focusing on organizing the study cabinet. The first step is to "empty" and dump all the items on the floor. At that time, I saw the "hoarding desire" emerging from my heart. The second step is called "classification", which divides the items into five categories: stationery, electronic products, documents, medicines, and sundries. The third step of "screening" is the most difficult. When faced with old data cables that I thought would be useful in the future, I used the question raised by Teacher Keiko: "If I need to use it now, can I find it immediately? Can it meet my needs at this time?" In the end, I cleaned out two bags of expired medicines and waste wires.
The fourth step of "storage" is full of fun. For the sorted stationery, I use "adjustable grid boxes" to position it. Scissors, tape, pens and other items are only placed in a small grid. Such extreme subdivision makes it easy to "return things to their original places". Following the whole process, I deeply experienced that the practical steps are not mechanical, but an in-depth communication with my belongings.
Storage tools: refuse to buy blindly, let the tools serve the items
In the past, as a "storage tool addict", I would buy a good-looking basket whenever I saw it, which ended up being a pile of empty boxes at home. And that course made me realize that storage tools are servants, not masters. So I started to make purchases with a "measurement mindset". In view of the deep waste in the kitchen base cabinet, I measured its internal dimensions, and then selected a narrow storage rack with pulleys to store long strips of plastic wrap, baking sheets and other items vertically, which is particularly convenient for access.
When I was organizing the refrigerator, I chose a transparent, square-shaped crisper. The square shape can maximize the use of space, and the transparency can make the remaining ingredients clearly visible. The "visualization" emphasized by Teacher Keiko is fully demonstrated here. I no longer pursue colorful storage tools, but unify the colors and materials, and use white and beige cotton and linen storage baskets to cover up the clutter in the open compartment. The visual appearance suddenly becomes neat and transparent. The actual value of the tools lies in reducing our maintenance costs.
Multi-scenario solution: "Teaching students according to their needs" from the kitchen to the desk
I applied the course methods to various scenarios. In the kitchen, I implemented the "no objects on the countertop" plan. I used the wall space to install stainless steel hooks and magnetic knife holders, allowing spatulas and knives to be hung on the wall to free up the work surface. I put all the spice bottles into unified bottles, labeled them, and arranged them according to frequency of use.
I introduced the concept of "file flow" for desk organization. I set up a three-layer file shelf, which is "IN", "DOING", and "filed" (DONE). All paper materials must flow dynamically in these three areas and cannot be piled on the desktop. This scenario-based solution not only improves my work efficiency but also fills every corner of my home with a sense of order.
Comparison of effects: from "disorderly internal friction" to "elegant and self-consistent"
Before the tidying up, although my home was not dirty, there was always an indescribable "stuffy" feeling. After tidying up, I opened the door and the air seemed to become lighter. The most obvious contrast is reflected in the time aspect: in the past, it might take 5 minutes to search for a document, but now it can be accurately located within 30 seconds. But the deeper changes are psychological. Just like Teacher Keiko said, by sorting out the items, I realized that I was overly demanding a sense of "security." When I threw away the magazines that I had accumulated for many years but had never read, so that I could have a refreshing space, I experienced an unprecedented "self-compassion". This time it is no longer just housework, but an elegant practice that relies on space planning and layout optimization to finally achieve inner order.
