5 Simple Steps to a More Organized Life

When I got divorced, I had to reorganize my life to live with as little stress and burden as possible. So, I sat down, took a sheet of paper and a pen, and thought about what my life is like now, what my priorities are, what things are important, what I can let go of, and how I can approach tasks in a way that takes as little time as possible.

Living an organized life can seem daunting, especially when juggling work, family, and personal responsibilities. However, by adopting a few straightforward strategies, you can bring clarity and order to your daily routine. Here are five simple steps that helped me organize my life and can also help you create a more organized life, focusing on routine, time planning, and practical tips.

1. Establish a Daily Routine

A well-structured daily routine provides a solid foundation for an organized life. It reduces decision fatigue and helps you maintain a sense of control over your day. Here’s how to create one:

Start Your Day with Purpose

• Wake Up Early: Set your alarm for a consistent time each morning, allowing for quiet moments before the day’s activities begin.
• Morning Ritual: Include activities that energize you, such as stretching, meditation, or journaling. These activities can be short, just 5 minutes. The benefits of these activities are long-lasting and enduring.

Plan Consistent Mealtimes

Eating at regular intervals not only keeps you healthy but also structures your day. Plan meals in advance to avoid last-minute decisions. I created a meal plan that included both my individual needs (e.g., preparing lunch for work) and family meals when we ate together at home.

End Your Day with Reflection

Spend 5–10 minutes each evening reviewing your accomplishments and planning for tomorrow. This practice sets a positive tone and ensures you’re prepared.

Incorporate Breaks

A balanced routine includes breaks to recharge. Schedule short pauses during work hours to stretch, breathe deeply, or enjoy a cup of tea. My work involves sitting with clients for 8 hours a day. Important strategies I include in my workday are 5-minute stretching breaks. Our bodies aren’t designed for 8 hours of sitting, which can lead to various chronic illnesses. Stretching helps stretch the muscles and boosts blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body.

2. Master Time Management

Time is a finite resource, and effective planning ensures you make the most of it. Follow these steps to manage your time better:

Use a Planner or Digital Calendar

• Daily To-Do List: Write down the most important tasks you need to complete. Focus on three priorities to prevent overwhelm.
• Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, meetings, and breaks. This prevents multitasking and keeps you on track.

Prioritize Tasks

• The 80/20 Rule: Identify the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of your results and focus on these.
• Delegate and Eliminate: Pass non-essential tasks to others or remove them from your schedule altogether.

Set Boundaries

Protect your time by saying no to activities that don’t align with your goals. Turn off unnecessary notifications to stay focused. I turned off all notifications (Facebook, Instagram, email, etc.) and kept only essential tools like my organizer for daily tasks, alarm clock, and SMS.

Plan for the Unexpected

Life can be unpredictable. Allocate buffer time in your schedule to accommodate delays or last-minute changes without stress.

3. Declutter Your Space

A cluttered environment can lead to stress and reduced productivity. Simplify your surroundings with these tips:

Start Small

• One Area at a Time: Begin with a single drawer, shelf, or room to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
• The 5-Minute Rule: If you’re procrastinating and struggling to get started, try the 5-minute rule. Spend just five minutes tidying up. After five minutes, stop. This builds trust in yourself that next time, it will only take five minutes again. However, what often happens is the opposite—those five minutes are enough to motivate you to finish tidying up entirely.

Apply the “Keep, Donate, Discard” Method

• Keep: Items you use frequently or have sentimental value.
• Donate: Things in good condition that you no longer need.
• Discard: Broken or unusable items.

If you feel overwhelmed, you don’t have to donate or discard everything at once. You can temporarily put them in a “DON’T KNOW” box and review its contents later to decide what to do with them.

People often find it hard to part with their belongings, even though they take up space needed for things we actually need.

Create Organized Systems

Invest in storage solutions, like labeled bins and drawer organizers, to ensure everything has a designated place.

4. Build Effective Habits

Organized living isn’t achieved overnight; it’s the result of consistent habits. Here’s how to cultivate them:

Start with Small Changes

• One Habit at a Time: Focus on adopting one new habit per month to avoid burnout.
• Anchor to Existing Routines: Attach new habits to existing ones. For example, floss your teeth right after brushing. While cooking, do the dishes. When you wake up in the morning, make your bed immediately.

Use Visual Reminders

• Post-It Notes: Place reminders where you’ll see them often, such as on your fridge or computer monitor.
• Checklists: Tick off completed tasks to feel accomplished.

Reward Progress

Celebrate small wins to stay motivated. Rewards don’t have to be extravagant—even a favorite snack or a relaxing evening can suffice.

Track Your Habits

Use a habit tracker to monitor your progress. Visualizing your consistency can be motivating and help you identify areas for improvement.

5. Simplify Your Commitments

Overcommitting can lead to stress and disorganization. Learn to streamline your responsibilities:

Evaluate Your Current Commitments

• List Everything: Write down all your obligations, from work tasks to social engagements.
• Assess Value: Determine which commitments bring joy or align with your goals, and let go of the rest.

Learn to Say No

It’s okay to decline requests that don’t serve your priorities. Practice polite ways to say no, such as, “Thank you for asking, but I’m unable to commit right now.”

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Choose meaningful activities over a packed schedule. For example, set a specific day of the week for socializing and plan meetings on that day, such as Thursdays. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures you have a designated time for socializing on Thursdays.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

Take advantage of technology to automate bill payments, grocery lists, and recurring appointments to save time and energy.

Bonus Tips for Everyday Organization

Use Smart Tools

• Apps: Explore tools like the free app Tasks and your phone’s calendar or Notes to organize tasks and ideas. For money management, I use the free app called Money Manager or the free NerdWallet app
• Timers: Set a timer for focused work sessions, such as using the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break).

Batch Similar Tasks
Group tasks such as emails, errands, or meal prep to save time and energy.

Prepare the Night Before
Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and gather essentials for the next day to start your morning stress-free.

Seek Support
Ask family members or roommates to contribute to maintaining an organized space. Shared responsibilities create a harmonious environment.

Final Thoughts
Organized living doesn’t require perfection; it’s about creating systems that work for you. By implementing these five steps—establishing routines, mastering time management, decluttering, building habits, and simplifying commitments—you can transform chaos into calm. Remember, small, consistent efforts lead to lasting change. Start today and enjoy the peace and productivity that come with a more organized life.