Have you ever felt so disorganized that you didn’t even know where to start fixing things?
Or have you ever been so busy that you didn’t even realize you were disorganized?
It happens to all of us, more than we choose to admit. The truth is, life gets busy and hectic, and sometimes all you can do is keep your own sanity from falling apart. In all reality though, it just takes a few small steps to start getting your life in order. Then ultimately, a little organization can help make projects seem less overwhelming and help you become more efficient in the long run.
The first step is just realizing that you need to get yourself organized.
Signs that it’s Time to Get Organized
We all have those days that you just can’t pull it together. That’s okay as long as it is temporary. If you find yourself noticing one or more of these five signs over a prolonged period of time, it may be the moment to finally pull that planner out.
1. You can’t locate everyday objects, every single day.
Having to search for your keys every time you want to drive somewhere or missing your glasses every time you sit down to read a book is starting to get a little old, isn’t it?
2. Small, meaningless tasks are overly frustrating.
When small tasks start to annoy you such as getting dressed in the morning because you can’t find your best work pants or making breakfast because you always seem to be out of milk, it may be time to start organizing.
3. Somehow you find yourself always shopping.
Of course, we all love to splurge every once in a while. However, if you find yourself buying that same white tank top over and over again because somehow it keeps getting lost in the clothes pile, that’s when we have a problem.
4. You missed a scheduled meeting.
There are only so many excuses you can come up with before your friends, family, and coworkers start to catch on.
5. You feel overwhelmed.
One of the most important signs of needing to get organized is stress. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the number of tasks piling up on your to-do list, it may be time to readjust.
How to Start Getting Organized
So you have taken a step back and realized that you just can’t go on searching for your car keys every single morning as you are already late, running out the door for work. Luckily for you, there are many small steps that you can take to start getting your life in order again.
1. Establish a daily routine.
How can you ever expect to stay organized throughout the day when you wake up with just enough time to throw something on from the closet, wolf down breakfast, and fly out the door? Creating a routine helps you not only start your day more together but also prepares you when it’s time to shut it down at night. Start by just trying to wake up 20-30 minutes earlier than usual. Set aside that time as “me” time when you can just sit and either review your schedule for the day or even just sip on some coffee. This will help you get started on the right foot.
At the end of the day, try to create a routine to wind down. This could be reading, a little meditation, or anything that makes you feel relaxed. The more you enforce these habits, your mind and body will start acknowledging that it’s time to shut down and rest up for the next day.
2. Give your keys to their own home.
We all have that troubling habit of throwing our keys who knows where as soon as we finally make it home after a long day of work. Though it’s definitely not as easy the next day scrambling to find them. Designate one spot in your house for your keys and be sure to actually place them there every time you come home. Typically it works better if it is somewhere near your main entryway so it’s easy to remember. This small step ensures that every time you need them, they’ll always be in the same spot.
3. Use a calendar or planner to schedule.
We are humans. There is no way you’re going to remember the time and place of that lunch date with a friend in two weeks. Sure, your phone’s calendar can be a very useful tool but writing important dates and times down in two different places ensures that you won’t miss a single thing!
4. Start a meal plan.
Constantly eating out because you didn’t have anything prepared is stressful and unhealthy. Creating a simple meal plan for the week helps to organize your diet and your kitchen. When you sit down just a few minutes each week to plan out your meals, you have time to look at the week’s schedule and determine which nights you’ll be able to cook and which ones you might want to order takeout. This is also a budget-friendly idea since it helps you better plan your grocery shopping lists as well. It’s expensive to continue buying food that doesn’t get eaten. When you plan your meals, you know what you’ll be cooking so it’s easier to stick to only buying food that you know will get consumed.
5. Create a to-do list and stick to it.
There’s not a more satisfying feeling than crossing out a task off your to-do list. A classic to-do list helps you organize your projects and tasks altogether. Sitting down to create a list of your tasks for the day helps you plan your day around making sure they get completed. Then, enjoy that satisfying feeling of achievement with every single task you get to scratch off your list.
Sometimes the hardest part of getting organized is acknowledging that you need it. Don’t stress if you find yourself noticing some disorganization in your life. These five ways are just a start for some small steps you can start taking to get your life back in order.
Planner or not, here we come!