So you’ve already taken the time and energy to sort through your home and donate or recycle what you don’t need. It’s finally getting to a place where it looks and feels better for you and your family! How can you keep it that way when it seems like you don’t even have a moment to even think about staying organized? If you’re a busy parent, workaholic, or find yourself constantly trying to stay on top of it all, here are some simple tips you can incorporate into your everyday routine to make staying organized easier.
1. Set a timer
Take advantage of the short breaks throughout your day and focus on tackling smaller sections one by one. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and focus on putting things back where they belong or organizing a small section of your home. Whatever space you’re in, tackle one shelf, one box, or one drawer at a time within these breaks. If you can spare a few minutes while you’re waiting for your water to boil or during a commercial break, these small windows will add up and make the task of staying organized much easier. If you don’t like the idea of a timer, play your favorite song and declutter while it’s on!
2. Don’t put things down, put them away
When you use something, make sure to put it back in its place once you’re finished. This will help ensure you don’t accumulate more clutter and that all your items have a home! This might mean putting all your dishes away after dinner, or making sure your clothes get put back in your closet even after trying all of them on when deciding what to wear. When each item has a place to go back to, it makes it easier to stay organized! If you’re having a hard time finding a place for something, maybe it’s time to get more creative with your space or get rid of what you don’t need.
3. Create a decluttering plan
If you’re a planner, set yourself up for success by mapping out your organizing sessions ahead of time. Once you finally have a moment to focus on tidying up, you’ll know exactly what needs to be completed. Make a list of spaces in your home that need to be organized, and note when you’ll get the project done. If you plan on spending 5 minutes a day on this, plan out 5 minute tasks that will help you complete your overall goal (one drawer, one shelf, etc.). This will make it easy to dive in once you do have the time since you’ll already know what to work on. When you only have a few minutes to spare, every second counts!
4. Keep getting rid of what you don’t need
As you’re taking these small breaks throughout your day to get organized, keep purging the items you no longer need. This will help create space when you buy new things and ensure your home remains clutter-free. If you find items that are broken, stained, or simply worn out, get rid of them! You can keep a donation box somewhere unnoticeable in your home and drop it off at a local donation center once it gets full. The more you’re able to get rid of, the easier it is to keep an organized home and make room for anything new that’s coming in. If you feel like you need everything and there’s still no room, you can try getting creative with bins and organizers. Just keep in mind there’s a difference between organizing and simply rearranging your clutter!
If you’ve just made the big decisions and your home is looking organized now, keep up with these tips to ensure it stays that way. No one is perfect, and of course, your home will start to become messy again. It happens to the best of us! Focusing on small tasks is a great way to stay motivated and ensure your home remains organized and mess-free.
