Tips on How to Organize Your Life

I’m a planner. Ask anyone who knows me. Just this week I was texting with my cousin and she says “You’ve always been so organized.” I told her that it’s a gift and a curse.

A gift because I have order, routine, and stability in my life. A curse because if we steer from the order I’m a little anxious. My husband thinks I’m a little OCD. I like to know what’s going on, when and where. I’m not one for being spontaneous. I like things in order. Where they are supposed to be unlike my dear husband. How is it that I married a man the COMPLETE opposite of me?? I mean COMPLETELY!! lol For example, I take off my dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. He takes off his dirty clothes and put them on the floor IN FRONT of the hamper. Please tell me I’m not the only one who deals with that.

Back to organizing. My house, my purse, my car, my life is organized. Even though my husband isn’t as organized as me, he loves that I am the way I am. He knows exactly where everything is. Even if he doesn’t put it there. lol Ok. I’m going to stop picking on the poor guy.

Here a few tips to help you organize your life and house.

Make your bed EVERY morning

You may think this isn’t a big deal but it is. Naval Admiral William McRaven, the commander of U.S. Special Operations, in 2014 gave a commencement speech at University of Texas at Austin. Admiral McRaven said: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”

His words are true. Starting your day by completing that one small task sets you up for success with completing other tasks throughout the day.

Keep a planner/schedule

I plan everything! From playdates, doctor appts., family/friend events, school events, church events, etc. It’s on my phone’s calendar.  If something ever happens to my phone I would be LOST! I also have a paper planner because I still like to write things out.  Everyone uses technology so I’m adjusting with times. We have a daily/weekly schedule and my kids even know it. I’m molding little organizers. lol They know their bedtime routine like the back of their hand and if my husband does something out of order they call him out. lol

Start by taking time to plan out your week. (We’ll work on the month later) Writing/typing it out and actually seeing it will give you a better idea of what you have to look forward to for the week. You’ll feel less stressed. PROMISE!

Use storage/bin containers

Storage containers are wonderful! They help make things look so neat & organized.  I used bin containers to organize my pantry in this post.  I also use them in my closet, bathroom, garage, office, for toys, and in my car. 

Give it a try.  Less clutter in your home=Less stress!

Make a cleaning schedule & STICK TO IT

I made a cleaning schedule back in 2013 due to a friend/neighbor. She taught me a lot about being organized. Who knew that I could be even MORE organized?? I stuck with this schedule weekly. There are some weeks that I slacked but I always got back on track and stuck with it!

If you feel like you don’t have enough time to clean your entire house, make a cleaning schedule.  Put 2-3 things on each day.  It doesn’t take as long as you think to clean PLUS if you use Norwex cleaning supplies it takes even less time.  My friend Patricia can help you get the Norwex supplies you need here. I LOVE NORWEX!

Meal Plan

Again my friend/neighbor taught me about meal planning. Shoutout to Emileigh.  She would plan for the month. I haven’t gotten that good yet. I search the weekly ads for two grocery stores that I like and I meal plan from what’s on sale. I make a weekly menu and I write the menu on a dry erase board, that I made, and have on the kitchen counter. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen my menu board.  If you don’t follow me on Instagram, do so now. 

I’ve found that meal planning has helped me so much. I’ve even trained my husband to look at the menu board to see what’s for dinner instead of asking me every day. Are you always wondering, what’s for dinner? Meal plan!

There you have it!

So, if wanna get a little organized like me, try some of these tips. This is what keeps me sane. I know that it takes time to make a schedule and meal plan but the little time you take to do that will set you up for a less stressful week.  Instead of watching an episode of your favorite show use that time to plan. If you just gotta watch your show then plan during commercial breaks.  I always say, “people make time to do what they want to do.”  Make time to help yourself have a less stressful organized life.

Maybe later we can talk about organizing your dresser drawers and hanging your clothes in your closet by color. Don’t judge me! lol I’m an organizing freak!

Let me know if you already do these things.  How are they working out for you? Let me know if you try any of these tips.  Did you find them helpful?