Organize your life with these 12 simple steps

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There’s a sense of calm and comfort in knowing what’s next and feeling in control. Our good routines and habits enable us to find a sense of peace in our days and having an organized life means one less thing we need to worry about.

Let’s face it, there’s enough that life throws at us right!? Wouldn’t it be divine to stress less and make your days flow easier?

I’ve got a number of great habits and routines that I incorporate into my daily life to help me stay sane and calm! You too can organize your life with these 12 simple steps – and in the process, simplify your days 🧡

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1. Store items where they make sense 

You needn’t go overboard here. But, just make sense of your world and give yourself back a little time. Keep things clutter free and simple and common sense. And remember your house is not a museum. It’s an operational family hub. 

There’s zero point in having everything either chaotic to the point of pulling your hair out… or… so neat and tidy that you’re searching through drawers on the daily for the simplest of items.

• Keep the dog lead on the hall table or on a hook by the front door.
• Store extra dog leads and (biodegradable) poop bags in all your family cars.
• Store laundry detergent within arms reach of your washing machine so you’re not walking or reaching.
• Keep pens on the bench by pads.
• Keep your plant water bottle or spritzer in your office where your plants are! 
• Store your dongles by the printer (because that’s when you need them, right!).
• Keep ski gear and other seasonal clothing or equipment in spare cupboards where it’s not in the way of your daily clothing.
• Keep your daily vitamins in a spot that allows you to practice your routine easily.
• Store your emergency kit in the kitchen cupboard where you can grab it fast! 

2. Minimise your wallet or purse

One of the biggest lessons I learned during lockdown was the fact that I did not need to take THAT MANY cards with me every time I left the house!

I had recently downsized myself from a rather bulky wallet down to a pouch type version. Super cute, right!  But I still had nearly a dozen cards in it, plus lotto tickets and a wee bit of cash.

During lockdown I took out everything and left only my drivers license and my credit/ ATM card. Simple! It’s not at all bulky.

AND 2 days ago I lost my wallet. Happily it was found in my husband’s car after a beach trip we had had over the weekend. BUT, I didn’t really stress too much because I knew that my life was not in there. Just a couple of cards which were easily replaced. 

3. Plan dinner at lunch time, or even in the morning

This one’s tough. I know that. But here’s the thing. You will not want to make dinner at 5 or 6pm. Let alone think about what you are having. The hardest part is to decide the what.

So, while you’re having your lunch …. Plan what you might have that night.

I have even got into the habit lately of planning my day’s food in the morning! 

I have been an intermittent faster for a few years now, so I dont eat before 11am and find if I plan out what I’ll have at 11, then lunch, then dinner, I feel calmer, more in control and know what to look forward to!

That way I also don’t mindlessly snack all day because I know what I’m going to eat and when!  

4. Go minimal in your wardrobe

Ok, this is a weird one for me. Wearing a uniform to High School was GREAT. You knew what you needed to have ready, or ironed or clean the entire week!

I know we used to moan about uniforms when we were teenagers, but I have kind of reverted back to my youth somewhat lately and devised my own “uniform”. I can hear you groaning from here! Ha ha ha … 

Fashion doesn’t bother me and some years ago now, I heard a quote by Ralph Lauren “Fashion is over quickly, style is forever”… So, I created my own style. And have stuck to it. Figure out what works for you best. Then shop accordingly. 

I go for white tee shirts mainly! All sorts and styles but all white, and all Tees! … I have a couple of great winter wooly jumpers… I love turtlenecks! And black comfy pants.. I tend to go for designer pants… like Kow Tow (A New Zealand designer) … pricey … but SO GOOD. 

This way I’m relaxed in my style, always know what I’m going to wear… and don’t ever have to over shop or clutter my wardrobe. Sometimes opting for simplicity is the easiest way to organise your life.

You might also like this post:

Why I wear the same thing every day – How to create habits that serve you well

5. Keep an emergency kit and supplies in your home

Soooo, we have all probably done something to this effect over the past few months. When I worked for a startup they gave us all a basic emergency kit, one that had a radio, some non perishable food items, water tablets, a torch and a few other essentials in it.

We keep this up in one of our kitchen cupboards in case we have to flee fast as it’s in a neat wee bag… 

Since the lockdown – we now run a FIFO (first in, first out) rotation system in our cupboards. We have our pantry.. Which is everyday use,… then a spare cupboard above our range which has a stockpile of basics like rice, pasta sauce, stock, canned items and GF pasta. 

We rotate these into the pantry on shopping day and replenish the spare stock so we don’t have to rush out and panic buy if things get worse. 

We also keep a store of bottled water in the laundry. Just in case. We’re pretty prone to earthquakes here in NZ and I’ve definitely experienced a few rattlers over the years. 

6. Delegate 

Tell people in your fam what you want them to do! Don’t make them read your mind. 

Set them specific daily or weekly tasks. Rubbish bins, dog feeding, bathroom cleaning.

My teens do all sorts of everyday things that they KNOW are their chores. This way you are not forever nagging people to do what they need to do! And everyone has their thing! 

7. Get rid of old makeup 

I don’t really wear makeup a lot. I will if I’m going to a meeting or an interview or somewhere nice with my husband or family. But daily, this isn’t something I do. I got to the point where the taking off of the makeup was annoying me too much! Plus, I am a face toucer! Lol… 

But, when I do wear makeup I make it easy. I not only have an easy routine,consisting of foundation, mascara, contour and highlighter and finally lip glass …. But I also have a minimalistic makeup bag. Yes, bag. Not a drawer! 

I learned a long time ago that I like a pretty basic makeup look so I go for less is more. And buy good quality, non allergenic brands that are kind on the environment. I keep one small bag with all my necessities in it. Making sure that nothing is too old or out of date. That way I am never looking for the right thing! 

My all time favourite buy of the century? This lip gloss I got on a trip to Las Vegas, technically a lip conditioner… But the sales assistance said it was a great gloss, and she was right! – Super yummy smell too. 

Sometimes, you’ll have drawers full of samples and tubes that are still good- unopened, still in date- but just not your thing… there are tonnes of ways to recycle old makeup and toiletries that are good for the earth and good for the soul…

8. Find a hair care routine and stick to it

Again, same as the makeup and the clothes. Find a brand you love and trust and stick with it. This way you know what you are buying, how it works for you and where you need to go to get it ! I use Angel En Provence shampoo and conditioner… it’s pricey! … but it lasts forever and I know I can order online. 

Keep only good hair ties and clips close at hand  

Nothing worse than when you need to pop your hair up for a shower, or tie it back for a workout and you can’t find a tie! …or the ties you reach for are stretched out… or broken. 

Do an audit of your hair accessories and keep only the ones that you know you need. I have literally 3 ties and 2 clips. And I know where these are AT ALL TIMES. When I lose or break one… I then make a note to replace. 

9. Simplify your face care routine

You’re probably getting the feeling that I’m a creature of habit and a pretty simple girl by now. And you’d be right. I don’t use a face wash everyday. I simply wash my face in the shower! Or if I’ve been wearing makeup I’ll use a makeup cream remover. 

But I do have a few things that I do daily for my skin.

The first is a great moisturiser. I LOVE Noto and am a huge fan of their decadent Noto Moisture Riser creme. I also have their walnut scrub which is beautiful. I use the moisturiser in the morning. It’s super light and ultra hydrating.

I also use a night moisturiser. Either this ah- mazing Trilogy night cream or I use this Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. 

I use a retinol A creme sporadically as well. But that’s it. Nothing else. 

I know I’m probably a bit weird… but my skin just doesn’t need anything else right now and I know the products I use work SO WELL for me that I’m set. 

The main point to remember here is that you don’t have to be suckered into buying whatever the sales assistant tells you you need. UNLESS YOU WANT TO. Ha ha ha. 

If you try any of these I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

10. Streamline your underwear draw

Ha ha ha … Yes, I am that nerd. I keep my drawers near perfect. I only have underwear that I need, fits well, is comfy, is in good condition and is useful in my drawers.

I code them by use. Daytime and night time. Lol. Then neatly fold them into squares and pile them up in rows. I’m never looking for the right pair!

Ditto your sock drawer. And keep your socks in balls, in a shoe box, in your drawer! (SUCH A NERD) 😂

I’ve since found these pretty cute draw organizers online – my show boxes are still fine for now.. but am tempted to upgrade!

11. Do something nice for future you

Do the things that you know will benefit you tomorrow, next week or next year, right now.

• Vacuum the home office floor on your lunch break.
• Organise the washing before dinner.
• MAKE YOUR BED IN THE AM.
• Need a break from working from home? Get up and rake your leaves! 
• Keep track of your business expenses!
• Take your vitamins!

Prep your snacks for the week. Write a half dozen blog posts! And keep them up your sleeves. Do your exercise first thing in the morning, this way you’re not beating yourself up all day!

Plan a trip with your partner or family way ahead of time, it’s often cheaper…then you get to LOOK FORWARD to this for AGES! 

Believe me there’s something about the wait that’s exquisite! 

12. Pick your poison 

Also commonly known as stick to your knitting.

My and my husband share all chores right down the middle. But, there are some things I don’t like to do, or aren’t as good at as him (ha ha ha ha ha)… like apparently loading the dishwasher in the precise way to get the maximum load capacity out of it ! lol…

But I digress… I do more of the emotional labour in the home… kids dr visits etc, I also fold all the washing. Now, I could say I fold the washing because someone has to. 

But, I actually enjoy it.. LOL.. and IF anyone else did it I would literally have to redo it. I am literally the only person in the house who can fold a fitted sheet anyway, so…. And I’m pretty pedantic when it comes to the folding…. 

But, here’s the thing. Know your limits. Know what you hate to do, or would prefer not to do. And negotiate with your partner or kids or roommates or whoever  ever you’re fortunate enough to live with. 

I have allergies so don’t empty the vacuum, and my husband hates vacuuming, so I vac and he empties. 

Even if you only pick one or two of these things to start with, you’ll hopefully reap the rewards of a chaos free day! Incorporating ways to organize your life into your routine allows you to automate a lot of decision making and leaves room for other things that will inevitably pop up on a daily basis.