Let’s chat about home organization~ In January, we look forward, and we look back. We look back at what didn’t work, and we look forward to what we can revise. Organizational skills are one of those areas where most people would love to improve, but often don’t know how or where to begin. You get tired of your messy home and your messy life, but trying to figure out how to change them can be overwhelming. What is a person to do? How can you implement change? How can you organize your home?
You can jumpstart your year by starting now using seven simple steps for the ultimate home organization.
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“Organization isn’t about perfection. It’s about efficiency, reducing stress & clutter, saving time & money, and improving your overall quality of life.”
Christina Scalise
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I have found the best organizational system is one that is most efficient, simplest, and the easiest to maintain because it requires the shortest amount of steps. Complicated systems are ones that no one ends up continuing. People may start out with the best of intentions but then fall off the organization wagon and become discouraged.
Our goal is to spend less time in chaos and more time doing what we love.
So, let’s get started with organizing our homes.
1. Find a scheduling system that works for you. You may use a planner, an app on your phone, a whiteboard, an index card system, or a calendar- whatever it is, use it! Write down appointments, birthdays, reminders, important dates, schedule vacations, and anything else you need to remember. Your scheduling system should be one that you share with your family members, so all are aware of the schedule.
2. Create simple patterns in your home such as set meal times, cleaning days, yard work, laundry, chore routines, etc. Patterns will help you remember the plan and keep you on task. For example, I wipe down the kitchen nightly, grocery shop on Mondays, have dinner ready weekdays at 6:30, and menu-plan on Sundays.
3. Plan your meals ahead. I meal plan every week, but you may find that it is best to plan once or twice a month instead. Meal planning saves so much time! It keeps you from trying to figure out what to cook every night, from making the same recipe over and over, or eating too much takeout. Meal planning also saves money at the grocery store because when you are organized with a shopping list, you don’t end up buying random things you don’t need. It is also handy because you (or your family) always know what’s for dinner. It may be helpful if your meal plan is simple where every Monday you have chicken, every Tuesday is taco night, every Wednesday is pasta night, etc.
4. Establish a morning and evening routine. Typically the way your morning begins ends up affecting the rest of your day. If you set a pattern for yourself as soon as you wake up, you will feel calmer. Studies show the benefits of having a morning routine, and how you can achieve more in the day. In the evening spend 15 minutes tidying your kitchen and living area. This may mean washing the dishes, gathering up laundry, putting backpacks by the front door, etc.
5. Clear out the clutter. I know I function better without clutter around me, so perhaps that is the same for you. Decluttering in your home provides for more peace, less chaos. Begin by keeping your counters clutter free. Don’t use your kitchen counters as the dumping spot for all things. Declutter your email inbox by unsubscribing to things you never read or deleting the email you don’t need to open. Declutter your junk drawers, your kitchen cabinets, and any other area that will help you with the overall organization of your home. When we have an excess of things, it can make us feel overwhelmed with decision-making.
6. Practice putting things away immediately. Everything should have a home. Find a place for every item including paper clips, spare change, and post-it notes. Put away shoes, jackets, backpacks, grocery bags, and laundry. When all things have a designated spot, it becomes simple to put things away immediately.
7. Have a system for your paper. Know what to keep and what to toss. Establish a filing system for bills and important papers. Deal with your mail daily- have the garbage can nearby as you open the mail so you can quickly toss out the junk. Make use of your paper shredder!
There you have it! Seven easy steps to becoming more organized. If the seven seem overwhelming to you, just begin with one until you feel comfortable, then add a second and so on. You will soon find the organization steps will become a habit. Once they become a habit, you will spend less time organizing and more time doing what you love.
“A place for everything, and everything in its place.”
Benjamin Franklin
Thank you, Natalie for sharing this.. I love to be organized and am always looking for ways to perfect my system. I really liked the idea of “simple patterns.” I needed to be reminded to make menus.
Yes, simple patterns are so helpful. I think we all look for ways to perfect our systems and it is great hearing how others organize.
It helps me to hear I’m not the only one who wants to be organized yet struggles to keep on top of things. Thanks for the tips!
You are welcome! Please let me know how they work for you.
What a great post!! So helpful!!!
Thank you so much for reading1 So happy to hear you found it helpful 🙂
The having a bin near your post is a great idea! I always have letters lingering.
I always did, too, until I began opening the mail right by the bin.
So enjoyed reading your article. Sometimes I can be a bit on the overdo of organization, but in moderation organizing makes life so much simpler. I have always used a calendar with large enough boxes to write in and daily scriptures to contemplate. I have a designated area for mail to be sent and bills to be paid. I really like the idea of keeping the counter clean, although I do drop off some “stuff” there I put it away as soon as possible. Thanks for the chat. Glad you had so much fun with your coffee date with a stranger.
You sound very organized! I like tweaking my organization a bit as life changes. Thanks, Ann xo
Love this! Thank you 😊
Thank you for stopping by to read, Francesca!
I love this, Natalie. Clutter drives me a little crazy, so I love organizational tips that help me deal with it. One tip that I heard long ago and that has been very helpful to me is this: Only touch your mail once. In other words, deal with it right away…file, recycle, etc. Of course, there are a few exceptions, but I try to apply this to as many pieces of mail as possible and the rest go into a specific spot to be dealt with as required. I’ve never been a good menu planner, though. That’s something I will need to think about!
What a great tip ‘only touch your mail once” is! The amount of junk mail I receive alone is nuts, so I love this idea. Thanks!
Organization is one area that I struggle with the most. Every time I try and out a system in place, it does not last long. Still trying to find what works for our family.
Anne, I hope you found some tips here to get your started 🙂
Popping in from Hope*Writers, as I’m on an organizational, minimalistic kick. Just said to my son, “If it doesn’t have a place to be put away, then it will never get put away.” Thanks for the reminder to go back and reinforce that principle.
Hi, Elisa! So glad I am not the only one on that kick 🙂 Thank you for stopping by to read xo