The new year is coming up, and that means many new year resolutions. For a lot of people, getting organized is on that list. Getting and staying organized is an intimidating endeavor that most people seem to struggle with. Some people may be okay with being cluttered, but some people (maybe like you) can feel like they really want to get organized, they just don’t know where to start. Well, first, you have to ask yourself what “organized” means to you. Does it mean you always know where anything you need is? Arriving to places on time? Or just generally being prepared? Maybe, it’s all three for you. What it boils down to is feeling like you are in charge and ready to take on your daily life. Below you will find eight tips to help you achieve that!
Make Your Bed in the Morning
Studies have shown that making your bed in the morning can help you calm down and will set a positive mood for the day. Making the bed after you wake up will also make you feel more productive, since you are accomplishing a task first thing in the morning.
Create A Checklist
Making a checklist will help you stay on top of your tasks, but it will also make you feel more accomplished. Make a new checklist every morning of everything you need to get done for the day. You can base your new checklist off of the checklist from the day before if that makes it easier for you.
Leave Your Keys in A Designated Spot
Leaving your keys and everything else you carry day-to-day in one designated spot will keep you organized and prepared so you never to scramble around in the morning looking for your belongings. This will especially help on days you wake up late and are in a hurry to get out of the door.
Carry A Notepad
Carrying a small notepad around with you will help so you can write down anything you need to remember throughout the day. For example, if you remember something you need to add to your shopping list, you can jot it down. A notepad is also very useful if your phone is dead or if it didn’t charge well the night before and you want to save the battery.
Declutter Your Wallet
Taking time out of your day at least once a week to declutter your wallet will definitely make you feel more organized. Put away any receipts you need to keep and get rid of the rest. Also, make sure your most used cards are in the front, so they are easily accessible. You can do this any time you have a spare moment, or you can even do it while you’re watching some TV!
Tidy Up Each Day
Set aside ten to fifteen minutes towards the end of your day to tidy up and pick up anything that may have been taken out of its place throughout the day. Even if you don’t think you need to a certain day, you should still quickly go through your house and make sure everything is put up. Maybe you have young children who left out some of their toys, or you accidentally left something out after using it and forgot about it. Making sure everything is in the right place each day will keep the little things from piling up and creating a big mess.
Lay Out Clothes for the Next Day
Laying or planning out your outfit for the next day can make you feel more efficient and will save you some time in the morning. Knowing what you will wear for the day will also make you feel more orderly and can help if you are running late.
Do the Dishes at Night
Making sure the dishes are done at night before you go to bed will help make sure the dishes don’t pile up and will keep your kitchen and sink area looking and feeling clean. Studies have also shown that people with clean kitchens cook more, so maybe this will also help to keep you practicing your cooking skills!
