Hey there! Is your life feeling a bit messy?
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
I used to be super disorganized, but I figured out how to fix it.
If I can do it, you can too! Let’s talk about some easy ways to get your life in order.
Getting Your Mind in Order
Before we clean up your room or fix your schedule, let’s start with your thoughts.
1. Write in a Journal
Get a notebook and just start writing. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Here’s why it’s great:
I started writing in a journal a few years ago. It really helped me understand my thoughts better.
2. Make a Plan for Your Future
Think of this as a map for where you want to go in life.
Here’s how:
- Think about what you want (in your job, relationships, health, etc.)
- Write down your goals
- Break those big goals into smaller, easier steps
- Look at your plan every week and update it
When I first did this, I realized I didn’t really know what I wanted.
But by thinking about it, I figured out I wanted to start a blog, get healthier, and learn a new language.
Making the Most of Your Time
Now, let’s talk about how to use your time better.
3. Create Daily Habits
Figure out what works for you. Maybe you like working out in the morning, or maybe you prefer showering at night. The key is to do the same things at the same time each day.
Here’s an example:
Change this to fit your life.
The important thing is to have a plan for your day.
4. Plan Your Workouts
Put your workouts on your calendar. Treat them like any other important meeting. I used to say “I’ll work out when I have time,” but I never had time. When I started scheduling my workouts, I actually did them!
5. Make Lists
Make lists for shopping, things to do, things you’re thankful for – whatever helps you keep track of stuff. Your brain will thank you for not making it remember everything.
I keep lists for:
Tip: Use the notes app on your phone so you always have your lists with you!
6. Use a Calendar App
Plan out your day the night before. Use different colors for different types of activities (work, personal, exercise, etc.) to see how you’re spending your time.
7. Track Your Time
Use an app like Toggl to see how you spend your time.
You might be surprised at how much time you spend on social media (I know I was!). When I first tracked my time, I found out I was spending almost 3 hours a day on Instagram and Facebook. Yikes!
8. Use Tools for Big Projects
Apps like Asana, Trello, or Notion can help with big projects.
They help you break big tasks into smaller, easier steps. I use Notion for everything from planning meals to keeping track of my writing projects.
9. Wake Up Earlier
Try waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual. Use that quiet time to write in your journal or just relax.
It can help your whole day go better.
10. Get Enough Sleep
Don’t cut back on sleep. It’s really important for getting things done. Try to get 7-9 hours each night. I used to think I could get by on 5-6 hours, but once I started sleeping more, I had way more energy and could focus better.
Making Your Workspace Better
Whether you work at home or in an office, a clean workspace can help you get more done.
11. Use a Folder for Big Projects
Keep all your notes in one place. It’s better than having papers all over the place. I use a folder with sections for different parts of my work – blog ideas, money stuff, client info, etc.
12. Keep Good Pens Nearby
It’s frustrating to want to write something down and not have a pen that works. Get a few good pens and keep them in one spot.
I have a cup on my desk that holds all my favorite pens.
13. Use a Weekly Planner
Keep it where you can see it so you can quickly add tasks as you think of them.
I like using a paper planner, but digital ones work great too.
The key is to actually use it!
14. Keep a Notebook Nearby
For when you suddenly have a great idea.
You never know when you might think of something awesome!
Keeping Your Digital Life Tidy
A lot of our lives happen online these days. Here’s how to keep your digital world organized:
15. Unsubscribe from Emails You Don’t Want
If you always delete emails from certain senders without reading them, just unsubscribe. Your inbox will look much better.
I used to get over 100 emails a day, but after unsubscribing from a bunch, I now only get about 30.
16. Clean Up Your Email
Take an hour to go through your emails.
Delete what you don’t need, save what you might need later.
Try to get to zero emails in your inbox! When I open an email, I decide right away if I need to answer it, delete it, or save it for later.
17. Unfollow People on Social Media
If someone’s posts don’t make you feel good or teach you something, it’s okay to unfollow them. This was a big deal for me. I realized I was following a lot of accounts that were making me feel bad about myself.
Once I unfollowed them, I enjoyed social media much more.
18. Clean Up Your Computer Files
Your future self will thank you when you’re trying to find a file later. Make folders that make sense to you.
I have main folders for Work, Personal, and Fun Projects, with smaller folders inside each one.
19. Use Google Drive
Keep your files in the cloud. It’s safer and you can get to them from anywhere. Plus, it makes working with other people much easier.
Keeping Your Home Tidy
A clean home can help you feel less stressed. Here are some tips to keep your living space organized:
20. Have a Place for Everything
Before you buy something new, think about where you’ll put it in your house. If you can’t think of a place for it, maybe you don’t need it. This has really helped me have less clutter.
21. Make Your Bed
It’s an easy way to start your day and makes your whole room look neater. Plus, it feels so good to get into a made bed at night!
22. Use Clear Containers
Especially in the fridge. You’ll be able to see what food you have and waste less.
I use clear containers for dry foods in my pantry too – it makes it much easier to see when I’m running low on something.
23. Wash Dishes Right Away
Don’t let them pile up. It’s much easier to do them as you go.
I used to let dishes sit in the sink for days, but now I wash up right after eating. It takes less time overall and keeps my kitchen looking nice.
24. Do Laundry More Often
Do a load when you have enough dirty clothes.
It stops you from having a huge pile of laundry to do all at once. I do a load every 2-3 days, which feels much easier than doing a ton of laundry once a week.
25. Get Rid of Stuff Regularly
Take some time every few months to go through your stuff and get rid of what you don’t need.
I follow the “one in, one out” rule – for every new thing I bring home, I try to get rid of something old.
Making Meals Easier
Eating well is easier when you’re organized about it. Here’s how to make meals less stressful:
26. Keep a Grocery List
Add to it whenever you run out of something. I keep a notepad on my fridge and write things down as I use them up.
27. Pay Attention to How Much Food You Eat
This helps you buy the right amount and waste less.
I was shocked to see how much food I was wasting before I started paying attention to this.
28. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
It takes the stress out of figuring out what to cook every day.
I plan my meals for the week every Sunday. It makes grocery shopping easier and I don’t have to wonder “what should we have for dinner?” every night.
29. Try Cooking for the Week
Spend a few hours cooking on Sunday, and you’ll have food ready all week. I usually make lunches for the week and maybe one or two dinners. It’s super helpful on busy weeknights.
Organizing Your Money
Money stuff can be stressful, but staying organized can help. Let’s get your finances in order:
30. Keep Track of What You Spend
Use an app or just a simple spreadsheet.
Knowing where your money is going is the first step to having more of it. I was amazed when I first started tracking my spending – I was spending way more on takeout than I thought!
31. Make a Saving Plan
Set a goal and figure out how to get there. Even if it’s just a small amount each month, it adds up. I started by saving just 5% of what I earned and slowly increased it.
32. Check Your Bank Account Regularly
Once a week is good. It keeps you aware of how much money you have. I check mine every Sunday evening – it helps me start the week knowing where I stand with money.
33. Think About What You Really Need
You might not need as much money as you think to live the life you want.
Take some time to really think about what’s important to you. I realized that experiences were more valuable to me than stuff, which helped me change how I spend and save money.
Making the Most of Your Free Time
Yes, even fun needs a little organization sometimes! Here’s how to enjoy your free time more:
34. Keep a List of Movies to Watch
No more endless scrolling on Netflix. I use the IMDB app to keep track of movies I want to watch.
35. Write Down New Restaurants to Try
Try new places to eat! I keep a list on my phone of restaurants friends have told me about or that I’ve read about.
36. Keep a List of Books to Read
Use Goodreads to keep track of books you want to read. It’s also great for getting ideas based on books you’ve liked before.
37. List New Hobbies to Try
Always wanted to try painting?
Put it on the list! I keep a list of things I’d like to try when I have the time and chance.
Putting It All Together
Remember, the goal isn’t to make your life boring.
It’s to free up your mind so you can enjoy life more.
Start small – maybe pick just one or two things to focus on at first. Keep at it, and most importantly, find what works for you.
Getting organized is a process, not something you finish.
There will be times when everything feels messy again.
That’s okay!
The important thing is to keep trying and to be nice to yourself along the way.
I went from being super messy to someone who actually has their life together (most of the time, anyway).
If I can do it, you definitely can too.
So take a deep breath, pick a place to start, and get organizing. You’ve got this!
Remember, being more organized means more time and energy for the things that really matter to you. Whether that’s hanging out with people you love, doing things you enjoy, or just relaxing without a long to-do list in your head.
So, are you ready to start?
Which part are you going to work on first?
Whatever you choose, I’m cheering for you.
