Today I’m going to talk about some good habits that you can develop to live a more organized life.
Organizing doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and it isn’t a one-time event. Organizing takes commitment and a dedication to a certain type of lifestyle.
Here are 5 habits that have helped me keep a more organized home.
5 Habits of Highly Organized People
1 – Designate a place for everything
Ok, I officially sound like a broken record. Buuuttttt…. It works:
When something new enters your home, designate a place for it. If you can’t find room or a place, then it should probably go.
I especially like to include my children in this process by letting them choose where certain items should belong. This way, they are more likely to be helpful in picking up and putting away.
2 – Regularly Declutter and Purge
Organizing is not a one time event. It’s a lifestyle and a commitment over time.
STUFF accumulates, and every so often that STUFF’s presence in your home should be re-evaluated
About once a month, when the kids are in bed, I go on a major purging spree. I grab a big bag and see if I can fill it with things to donate or throw away.
I like to stay on top of outgrown clothing and miscellaneous little toys that make their way into our house.
From time to time I will sit down to scan paperwork and photograph kids artwork to keep paper clutter to a minimum.
I also like to take regular stock of things like pantry items and craft supplies. Use them up, and then replace them with new.
3 – Don’t be afraid to let things go
I had a major mindset change when we started to shop at more thrift shops and garage sales. In recent years, I’ve really become more aware of just how much we “consume” and have made an effort to re-use and buy second-hand.
One of the most difficult hurdles to overcome when downsizing and organizing is the “what if” factor – as in “what if I get rid of this, and then I end up needing it again someday?”
WELL…. Yes, that’s a valid concern. But ask yourself this: “What would it really cost to replace this if I needed to? And by holding on to these items, am I preventing myself from living an organized life in a home that I enjoy spending time in?”
The price you may pay to replace an item (on the off-chance that you do need it) is small compared to what you will gain from living in an organized home where you can be productive and at peace.
4 – Write Things Down
Life is busy and chaotic. How on earth could you possibly try to keep everything organized in your head?
Write. Things. Down.
Write down to-do lists, so that you can prioritize your tasks and time. Write down goals and place them in a prominent place where you can be reminded of them. Write down everyone’s schedules in one place, so that you can stay on top of who needs to be where, when, and with what supplies or gear.
Personally, I am a pen and paper kind of girl. I still use a small paper planner and notebook – this way it can always be in my purse if I need it.
But I also keep running notes in my phone – shopping lists, things to be on the look out for when I’m at yard sales, or even supplies lists when I’m working on a DIY project.
Whether you use paper or a digital device, just write it down!
5 – Set a Timer and Sweep
I LOVE using a timer to help me be productive. There is something about a looming deadline (no matter how small it is) that makes you work a little bit harder.
For this reason, when I’m cleaning the house or decluttering, I set a timer. It’s almost like a challenge. I’ll set the timer for 15 minutes and tell myself that in that amount of time I need to have a certain task accomplished – scrub the bathroom shower and floor, declutter my kitchen counters, vacuum and steam mop the floors, etc.
If you’re looking for some ideas for organizing tasks that can be accomplished in a short amount of time, take a look at these organizing sweeps to help you get started.