You love the idea of the Cousins, Coworkers and Family TM sorting method, but you have some questions. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions to get you, “personifying your stuff so organizing is not so tough.”

If you are unfamiliar with this method you can read about it here. https://blog.iorganizeeverything.com/2025/02/05/cousins-coworkers-and-family-tm/

1. How do I know which is the right decision?

There is no right or wrong decision, only what works best and makes the most sense for you and your household. Trial and error can be the best way to practice and learn your preferences. You will get better at remembering where you chose to put something because you will start to naturally see how your items connect. Choosing the best category for you, will also depend on what other items you have around your home. It can also depend on how you use the item, what other items you use it with and where. Many people will choose the location or category they would think to look first.

2. Can an item fall into multiple categories?

Yes. If it is something you use frequently, consider owning a few to go with each category. A great example of this would be scissors. Scissors are a useful tool to have around the house for all types of needs. They can live with their cousins the boxcutters, in a toolbox. They can go also go with their coworkers, the knives in the kitchen. Lastly, you can choose to put them with their family, a group of other scissors in the art supplies.

3. Isn’t a cousin considered a family member?

Yes, but cousins are not your immediate family such as your mom, dad, brother or sister. The items that are categorized by family are identically the same when you ask, “What is it?” Cousins are an offshoot of your immediate family. When it comes to items, cousins are related in how they function but not identically the same. For example, a boxcutter is the cousin of a knife. They both cut things, but in different ways and for different scenarios.

4. What about putting the item in the location I use it the most?

Where you use it and/or what you use it with is considered coworkers.

If you would like to learn more about this method, worksheets are available for purchase https://iorganize.gumroad.com/l/yqaakd

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