10 Daily Habits that Will Help You Stay Organized
This summer is definitely not the summer I expected. With a lot of usual summer events canceled, we’ve been spending a lot more time doing projects around the house in our spare time.
One of my main projects during the entirety of quarantine/social distancing has really been getting organized in every category of my life. I don’t know about you, but I love a clean and organized space and strive to keep it that way every day! It’s easy to let the little things slide, but if you’re not intentional about keeping your space tidy, it can quickly get out of control.
Here are 10 daily habits I’ve integrated to stay organized lately if you also have the urge to get (and stay) organized this summer.
1) The 5 Minute Rule.
If a task takes you five minutes or less, do it now. Don’t delay. Things that take 5 minutes or less, just to name a few: making your bed, throwing away trash, filling up the dishwasher, emptying your recycling.
2) Use the wait time.
Similar to the 5 Minute Rule, use your wait time wisely. When the microwave is counting down, wipe the counters. During a commercial break, fold the blankets. If you’re in-between work meetings, straighten up papers on your desk or respond to an email. It’s all about using the time you have wisely to help organize your space efficiently.
3) Get a magnetic grocery list.
You may think you’ll remember all the groceries you need when it’s time to run to the store, but odds are, you’re going to forget something. And for some reason, that thing is always the most important thing on the list! We have a magnetic grocery list on our fridge. That way we both see it, contribute to it, and don’t have to try to remember everything we need when it’s time to restock. Here’s a cute option if you’re interested!
4) The Every Room Rule.
This is one of my favorite organization and cleaning hacks. Every time you leave a room, look to see what doesn’t belong there and take it with you. For example, in the office right now, there is a coffee mug. Once I finish writing this blog post and leave the room, I’ll take it with me to the kitchen. It seems simple enough but just this little habit change can really make sure things don’t pile up in places they don’t belong.
5) Use compartmentalized laundry baskets.
You know the ones. This is the one I have. Let me tell you, it’s great. Instead of throwing all your dirty laundry into one basket, which you then have to sort before washing anyways, this helps you skip a step! Then when it’s full, BOOM. Your laundry is sorted and ready to wash.
6) Get a basket. Or two. Or ten.
If you had told me when I first started this blog 10 years ago that I would be talking about baskets in a blog post, I probably would’ve thought that you’re crazy and/or that I’ve gotten lamer as I’ve gotten older. While that is probably true, baskets are an adulting life hack you need in your life. All the dog toys? Goes in a basket. The mail that we can’t throw away yet? Goes in a (smaller) basket. Hide your stuff, make it look cute, and everything has a dedicated space. Win-win-win.
7) Find a “planner” that works for you. Then stick to it.
And no, I’m not saying you need to purchase a physical planner. Unless that’s what will work for you. Maybe it’s a dry erase blank calendar on the fridge so you can write all your appointments in one place (like we do). Or it’s the Google calendar app (like Luke). Or a daily to-do planner (like me). Don’t try to bend your life to fit the planner. Bend the planner to fit you and your schedule. Because if it doesn’t work for you, chances are you won’t use it. And if you won’t use it, what is even the point?
8) Use a timer.
Can you tell I’m all about setting time goals? It really is the best way to keep track and stay on task. Whether a task will take you 15 minutes or 2 hours, set a timer. When I’m doing a deep decluttering project, I set a timer and pop on a podcast or audiobook so I can really focus on the task at hand. Even if I’m folding laundry, I set a timer so I don’t get distracted scrolling Instagram when I should be folding towels. You don’t have to be a rigid stickler about time, but part of organization is creating routines that ensure time is spent efficiently so you can enjoy more of the things you love.
9) Think about your routine.
Do you walk in through the kitchen when you get home? Where do you most often set your keys? Where do you kick off your shoes? Instead of forcing places for common items, notice where you normally place things. Then put those places there. For example, instead of buying a rack to hold our keys, I noticed we would set them on the counter when we got home. So I emptied a drawer to keep our keys, wallets, sunglasses, and gum. It has a spot and it doesn’t mess with what we’re used to!
10) Rinse and repeat.
The funny thing is, I can share all the organization hacks and tips in the world and yet, it’s up to you to figure out what works. What works for me might not work for you. But instead of giving up organization for good, find what works for you. Then keep doing it. Half the battle of staying organized is the “staying” part. You have to make it a habit before it starts feeling like second nature. But don’t worry — I believe in you! Just take it one baby step at a time, rinse, and repeat.
Want more organization tips and tricks? Here are a few more posts I think you’ll love.