As I mentioned in my prior post, summer is just around the corner. While there are other times of the year that we typically associate with getting organized, summer is one of my favorite times of year to work on organizing projects around my home. If you’re feeling weighed down by clutter, why not make plans this summer to lighten things up and create some breathing room? Here are seven reasons to get organized this summer…and some simple ideas on how to do it!

Reason 1:  Longer Days

There’s more daylight this time of year, so use it to your advantage! Set your alarm clock fifteen minutes earlier, and spend this time decluttering one hot-spot in your home. Do that every day this summer and just think how much clutter you can clear out by fall! That will feel so good, won’t it? Plus, what could be better than starting each day with a big check mark on your to-do list—before your day typically even begins!

Reason 2:  It’s Vacation Season

One of the reasons you go on vacation is to get away from it all, right? Wouldn’t it feel terrific if your home became your get-away-from-it-all spot? It can be that haven, with a small dose of decluttering and organizing! If you don’t have plans to head out of town on vacation this year, spend some stay-cation time getting organized instead. Now, you may be thinking “that’s no vacation,” but just think about how much more tranquil, calm and peaceful your home will be when you’re finished. Investing a bit of time now will help turn your home into a relaxing escape for the rest of the year (and even longer!). Schedule some “vacation days” to spend turning your home into a relaxing retreat.

Reason 3:  More Sun = More Energy

I don’t know about you, but I naturally have more energy during the summer than any other time of year. If you feel this way, too, put that energy to use tackling one of your bigger organizing projects—like the basement, attic or garage!

Reason 4:  It’s Hot Outside and Cool Inside!

When the days get too hot to go outside, turn on the A.C. and do some good old-fashioned decluttering! It will feel so refreshing to lighten things up inside when it’s scorching hot outside!  Next time the thermometer reaches 95 degrees or higher, think to yourself “this is a great day to organize!” and then–go do it!

Reason 5:  Your Schedule Just Got Some Breathing Room

Lack of time is a common roadblock to getting organized, and a topic covered in Organizing 101. If lack of time is an obstacle for you, here’s some good news. CalendarSummer often offers relief to overcrowded schedules when seasonal activities like school, sports, and even T.V. programs take time off. Invest this extra time organizing your home, and you’ll feel even more in control when your schedule ramps up again in the fall. Take a look at the newly created openings in your calendar and make an organizing appointment with yourself!

Reason 6: The Kids Are Out of School

Helpers can also help the time-crunched person who is craving more order. Keep this in mind:  kids make terrific organizing helpers. If you have kids of your own, spend time together this summer clearing the decks in their bedrooms, toy rooms, or craft areas. You’ll start the new school year organized and ready to go! Or enlist the help of a teenage neighbor to help on your own organizing projects. Extra hands get the job done quicker, freeing up time for more summer fun! (By the way, if you’d like to learn how to involve your kids in the organizing process, I just launched a NEW online workshop called Organizing with Your Kids.) (Update: This class is now available as a self-paced online class.)

ClockReason 7:   It’s a Great Time for a Fresh Start!

Any time the seasons change is a wonderful excuse to reevaluate and start anew. Create a fresh start inside your home by bringing in some fresh-cut flowers and letting go of some stale, unneeded clutter!

Get started today! If you’re motivated to get organized this summer, get started today! Pick one idea from the list above and put it into action. Call a neighbor teen and seek their help in getting organized. (They’re probably looking for something to do this summer, anyway!) Or set your alarm clock fifteen minutes earlier and create a new summer decluttering habit before summer officially begins! Just remember, it is action that creates change. So pick one action to take and follow up on it today.

Your turn. What are your favorite organizing projects to work on in the summer? I’d love to hear from you! Thanks for sharing.