Staying organized doesn’t have to take hours or be grueling. In fact, the simplest tasks often make the biggest difference.
Here are 13 habits I do (almost) every day to create a neat flow in our home:
Make the Beds- This is a quick way to start (and end) the day with a win!
Do Pick Up/Put Away Sweeps- I like to do these quick "sweeps" a few times a day where I return items to their homes, throw out trash, and refill stuff.
Unpack and Re-Pack- Immediately upon arriving home, I put everything away and re-pack our bags for the next outing. This makes it much easier to leave the house and only takes a few minutes to accomplish.
Integrate New Items- I remove packaging and put things away promptly.
Check the Mail Outside- As a rule, I only bring mail inside if it requires action. Otherwise I take it straight from the mailbox to the trash. Doing this with sales magazines and flyers has saved us both time and money. The rare piece of “fun” mail gets opened at the kitchen counter.
Keep Grocery and To Do Lists- I like to put lists on my phone (Google Docs is my preferred app), so I always have access to them. Adding things to a list ensures they are remembered and frees up valuable mental space.
Use a Digital Calendar- I check my calendar (again I use Google, so it is integrated) daily, and I appreciate the power of setting appointments to keep track of all sorts of things.
Put Away Clothes- Picking up and putting away laundry makes a huge difference in the visual appeal of a space. I don’t necessarily do laundry daily, but I definitely put away clothes and consolidate dirty laundry. One of my biggest pet peeves is clean clothes that have not been put away… I say take a few minutes and get it done!
Spend 15 Minutes on a “Special Project”- I rotate through the house organizing different areas. One day I might upsize clothing for one of our daughters. Another day I may tidy the junk drawer (yes, I still have one). I like taking these small chunks of time straightening problem areas, so I don’t have to spend an entire day cleaning.
Eat Leftovers- Preparing and using leftovers is a great way to keep the fridge orderly. We mainly eat leftovers for lunch, and I love mashing together strange assortments of items to clean things out.
Take Out the Trash- I follow the Feng Shui philosophy about trash, which says to remove discarded items from your space daily. Removing trash not only prevents stink, it also moves out stagnant and unwanted energy. It is best to take out the trash before bed for better sleep and a fresh morning.
Do the Dishes- Easy to do and easy not to do, washing dishes keeps things tidy.
Delegate and Share Responsibilities- I am constantly reminding myself to be realistic about how much I can do in the time I have. Asking for help is important, and almost everyone likes to divide and conquer together. Turn on some music, and work as a team to seize the day!
Love Always,
Meg
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