7 Habits You Need for a More Organized Life

Over the summer months, most of us stray from our normal routine, and perhaps our lives are a little less organized, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A break from routines can be a great time to rethink and reset. As we head into autumn and restart school schedules, consider adopting one or more of the following habits for a more organized life.

1. Own Less

If this is the only habit you adopt, I guarantee your life will be less complicated. Please be very careful how much you purchase. If you must buy new items, be sure to discard an equal quantity of old items. And, of course, declutter your home as much as you can.

2. Do Less

Consider withdrawing from activities and commitments that are no longer necessary or fulfilling for you or your family. Set boundaries and learn to say no. No is a powerful word, but if you’re not used to saying it, this habit can be intimidating. However, like anything else, you will improve with practice. And remember, there is no need to explain why you are saying no.

If possible, consider delegating tasks or things you are not good at or do not enjoy to someone else. For instance, if you enjoy cooking, spend your time on meal prep and grocery shopping and hire someone to do laundry and clean your house. Once your children are old enough, enlist their help with household tasks. Not only will you have help, but chores will teach them valuable life skills.

3. Set Routines

I can’t stress enough – setting routines for you and your family is essential. Routines help keep your life and your home under control, yet they should not feel like a burden or restrict your freedom. For example, have a morning routine and an evening routine for everyone in your household. The more preparation you do in the evening, the easier your mornings will be. Make lunches, choose clothing for the next day, pack school backpacks, and spend 15 minutes tidying up. Also, create some structure around tasks such as grocery shopping, meal prep, laundry, and cleaning. Consistent routines reduce decision fatigue and help you stay on track, making organization a habit rather than a huge effort.

4. Move Your Body

I’m sure you already know that even a minimal amount of exercise has many benefits. In fact, one of these benefits is helping you clear your mind so you can focus on what you need to do. However, you don’t need to wait until you have an hour to exercise every day. You can start by exercising 20 minutes a day, three times a week, if that’s all your schedule permits. As with any new habit or activity, starting can be the most challenging part – so just do it! If you’re like me, you need designated time slots for exercise. So, add specific activities to your daily agenda (to-do list or calendar), such as going for a walk, bike ride, yoga class, or simply stretching or doing callisthenics in your home gym.

5. Create Functional Storage

Maintaining an organized home requires simple yet effective storage. When your storage solutions are designed properly, it will be easier for you to maintain organization. Please do not start by buying a bunch of containers. Baskets and bins will not create better organization on their own. Ideally, you should sort items into logical categories first. Then, place items where you most often use them.

Taking extra time now will be worth the long-term benefits. To maximize functionality, you may need to redesign your storage areas, such as the pantry, garage, closets, or other storage areas. After you take these first steps, it is time to purchase storage solutions.

6. Put Things Away as Soon as You are Done with Them

Once you have designated homes for everything, one of the best habits for a more organized life is to put things away. When you do, it is easier to find them when you need them and keep your home tidy.

Even though you might want to leave things out because you are going to use them again “soon,” it is never a good idea. In this instance, clutter quickly accumulates, and things go missing. I know you are busy, and stopping to hang up your coat and put away your shoes seems tedious, but I guarantee that it takes much more time to search for those items when they are buried in a pile – and it causes stress and frustration. I have counted how long it takes me to put things away, and typically, by the time I count to 10, it’s done.

7. Let Go of Perfectionism

Letting go of perfectionism may be the most difficult habit to adopt. In fact, choosing “good enough” or “excellent” is always better than striving for perfection. The bad news (or good news, depending on how you look at it) is that there is no such thing as perfect. So please don’t delay organizing your life and your home because you are waiting for the “perfect time” or “perfect solution.” Instead, just start. When you adopt better habits, you make your life a little better every day – and those little changes add up to big results.

Are you ready to adopt better habits for a more organized life? I would be happy to help you declutter and create functional storage systems tailored to your needs. Contact me today to get started on transforming your home.