You’ve finally achieved the monumental task of decluttering and organizing your home and life. Why not take a moment to celebrate this significant accomplishment? Are you feeling anxious about maintaining your newfound order? Fear not! Here are eleven straightforward habits designed to help you remain organized.
The journey toward organization wasn’t a walk in the park, especially when faced with the resistance of other family members. It required an immense amount of effort, including blood, sweat, and tears. The decluttering phase alone could have warranted a family therapy session! Once you managed to clean up the chaos, you could finally focus on the organizing aspect. However, the sense of achievement quickly gave way to anxiety. You might worry about slipping back into disorder within six months—an all-too-familiar cycle.
Let’s break that cycle! Embrace these eleven simple habits to help you maintain your organizational success.
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1. Use a Planner to Organize Your Day
Keep a planner or some form of scheduling tool to track your essential activities for each day. You don’t need to schedule every single minute; just jot down important appointments to avoid being late or missing out. This can be as straightforward as a wall calendar or as sophisticated as a time-blocked planner. If you prefer technology, consider using a digital calendar on your smartphone.
Additionally, incorporate your meal planning into the same calendar. This way, you can efficiently plan your meals according to the time you have available each day. Review your planner as part of your evening routine to prepare for the next day and minimize morning chaos.
2. Write ‘To Do’ Lists
I know it may seem mundane, but maintaining a ‘to do’ list is crucial for keeping everything in check. It helps you prioritize tasks and focus on what truly matters, rather than getting sidetracked by less important items. Keep a running list of tasks that need attention, but only select the three most critical ones to add to your calendar each day. You can also categorize your tasks for better management.
I personally maintain a running To-Do list and use colored markers to highlight priorities. One of my favorite aspects of a To-Do list is crossing off completed items! Sometimes I even add a task I’ve just finished to the list, just to relish in the satisfaction of marking it off. If you did it, you deserve the credit, right?
3. Deal with Paperwork Immediately
Nothing makes a space look cluttered faster than a messy pile of paperwork. A single stack can transform an organized area into chaos. Tackle your paperwork as soon as it enters your home. Designate a space for bills labeled “Need to Pay,” recycle junk mail, and shred any sensitive documents you no longer need.
Consider creating a Command Center to help you manage and maintain your household paperwork effectively. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by paperwork, follow a structured system to tackle paper clutter efficiently.
4. Make Your Bed
Make it a habit to make your bed each morning as soon as you get up. This simple task can significantly impact your day. A made bed not only starts your day off on the right foot but also creates a clean visual in your bedroom. A tidy room is more likely to inspire you to keep it that way.
A freshly made bed serves as a reminder to maintain order throughout the room. On the contrary, if you leave the bed unmade, it may feel more acceptable to leave dirty clothes lying around. Before you know it, you could end up with a mountain of laundry on the floor!
If you dislike making the bed, simplify the process. Extra pillows and throws can create an inviting look but can be cumbersome. Keep only what you truly need—my bed has just two pillows, one fitted sheet, and a single comforter. I can make my bed in under five minutes!
5. Designate a Place for Everything
Every item should have its own designated spot in your home. Consider how and where you typically use each item, and identify the logical storage location for it. When everything has a specific home, it becomes easier to find and return items to their rightful place.
If you struggle to find a home for an item, it may be time to reevaluate its importance in your life. If it’s that difficult to assign a spot, you might not really need it.
6. Organize by Point of Use
Store frequently used items as close to their point of use as possible. This practice will streamline your routine and make it easier to return items to their proper places. For instance, if you keep your seasonings in a pantry across the kitchen, you’ll be more likely to leave them out on the counter after use.
Instead, store seasonings in a cupboard next to the stove for quick access. Similarly, keep dishes and silverware near the sink and dishwasher, so it’s convenient to rinse and load them after meals.
7. Clean as You Go
Adopting a “clean as you go” mentality is a game-changer for maintaining organization. No matter the task at hand, clean up as you finish. For example, while cooking, take the time to wash any prep dishes as your meal cooks. By the time dinner is ready, most of the cleanup will already be handled.
If something spills on the floor, clean it up immediately. This proactive approach to cleaning will significantly reduce your workload on designated cleaning days.
8. Do the Dishes
If you have a dishwasher, run it nightly after dinner, and unload it in the morning. Waking up to dirty dishes can set a negative tone for your day. Not only does it create a mess, but dirty dishes can also develop unpleasant odors.
In my household of two, we rinse and load the dishwasher right after meals, running it every couple of days. Find a dishwashing schedule that works best for you.
9. Organize and Control Dump Zones
When you notice clutter accumulating in specific areas, take immediate action. Enlist family members to help clean up and brainstorm permanent solutions. Common dump zones often form near entrances, in bedrooms, and beside favorite chairs.
10. Make a Tidying Walkthrough
Before settling down for the evening, take a complete walkthrough of your home. Put away any items that are out of place. Involve your family in this process. After a few weeks of consistent reminders, tidying up can become a natural part of everyone’s evening routine.
11. Practice Self-Care
Lastly, prioritize self-care. Taking time for yourself is essential for maintaining your physical and emotional well-being. Whether it’s reading a book, watching a movie, soaking in a bath, going for a jog, or meditating, find what helps you recharge.
Stay Organized
Many people aspire to be organized but often dread the organizing process itself. It’s a challenging and continuous endeavor that doesn’t end once you fill out your planner, arrange your books, or store your pasta in a decorative container. Organization requires ongoing effort.
Utilize a planner to keep your days and meals organized, and maintain a To-Do list to remember important tasks. Start your day by making your bed to promote a cleaner room. Designate specific spots for items and keep them close to where they’re used. Handle mail and paperwork immediately to prevent clutter.
Make cleaning a habit, including dealing with dirty dishes and dump zones. Perform a nightly walkthrough to tidy up, and above all, remember to practice self-care.
Incorporating these eleven simple habits into your daily routine will help you stay organized and maintain your sanity.