When I’m disorganized, it feels like my life is falling apart.
Maybe that’s a little dramatic, but isn’t life so much easier when you have it together? When you’re on time and can find your wallet/purse/phone/shoes, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.
Resources to Get Organized
I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle in the organization department, but it’s not from lack of trying.
I’ve tried just about every organization hack or idea on Pinterest. Of them all, here are some of my favorites. They’re simple to implement and cost-effective. Happy organizing!
1. Find designated locations for everything
I’m always losing my keys and my phone, so I’ve started trying to keep them in designated places. Not only does this reduce the time you waste looking for things, but it also keeps everything tidier.
Find a place for things that you typically lose, both in your home and in your life.
For example, I have a designated pocket in my purse for my keys. When I’m out and about, I slip my keys in the pocket and always know where they are. At home, I have a key rack in our entryway. As soon as I come in the house, I hang my keys up, take off my shoes and coat, and put my purse away. Then, when I’m ready to leave, everything’s right where I can find it.
2. Create a command center
I’ve saved so many different command centers on Pinterest (#pinterestfail, anyone?!?).
The key to creating a command center is to create something that works for you. I currently keep a calendar, an emergency contact list, and doctors’ business cards taped into one of our kitchen cupboards.
I also keep a vertical file organizer inside a cupboard (I found this organizer at Target). I keep three folders inside: a folder for things that need attention (like upcoming bills), a folder for paid bills, and a section for school papers.
The file organizer is thin enough to hide in a cupboard but sturdy (and pretty, although cute folders help) enough to function.
A magnetic weekly calendar (I keep this dry erase calendar on my fridge) can also do wonders, especially if you don’t have a designated “command center.” Each week, I spend a couple minutes listing our meal plan and upcoming activities. The rest of the family knows what to expect for dinner and where we’re going every day.
3. Use a family planner/calendar system
Whether you’re a lover of all things digital or a pencil and paper kind of person, a planner/calendar system that works for your family is essential.
I use Google Calendar to remind me of recurring events like birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc.
I also use the Day-Timer planner to keep track of my daily appointments, to-do list, etc. It comes with a weekly and monthly calendar view, but I ended up designing The Organized Motherhood Planner to track daily tasks, goals, and healthy habits all in one place.
Further Reading
These books are great resources to organize your home (and your life).
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and the follow-up book, Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up, will change the way that you think about decluttering.
The illustrations in Spark Joy are helpful additions, especially because I could never master the art of folding my clothes the way that Kondo suggested in The Life-Changing Magic.
But more than teaching you techniques to fold and organize the things that you already own, the books will get you to think about whether you actually need everything in your home (and life).
Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul
While Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind, and Soul by Ruth Soukup has an awesome plan for decluttering your house in a weekend (complete with meal breaks and wake-up times), the real value in this book comes from the suggestions to unstuff your life.
I also downloaded the Unstuffed app. The daily decluttering challenges are a great way to make sure that you’re keeping your home decluttered while cleaning the often-forgotten areas of your home.
Creating a peaceful, organized atmosphere in your home is a wonderful idea, but it can be really difficult to achieve. By finding designated locations for everything, creating a command center, and using a family planning system, you’ll be on your way.
How do you stay organized in your home?
More decluttering and organizing resources on Organized Motherhood:
Leah
Wednesday 31st of August 2016
These are good reminders! I know I need to have a place for everything, especially my car keys, but it's easier said than done! Yesterday I spent an hour looking for my keys and they were in a totally logical spot: behind the TV. Mommy brain! Glad I found this on the Raising Homemakers linkup!
Alison Lange
Wednesday 28th of September 2016
LOL I've actually checked the refrigerator for my keys. It's definitely easier said than done, especially when you come in the house with your hands full of kids, groceries, and everything else! Sometimes it really takes a conscious effort to put my keys away.
Mother of 3
Friday 26th of August 2016
Simple and easy to follow tips.
Alison Lange
Wednesday 28th of September 2016
Thanks!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama
Sunday 21st of August 2016
Both great books - have you also read The Happiness Project? It's not exactly an organizational book, but if you liked those two, then I bet you'd like this one!
Alison Lange
Sunday 21st of August 2016
Thanks for the recommendation, Lisa. I read The Happiness Project a couple years ago and loved it! Gretchen Rubin is such a great author.