Let’s Get Organised: Back to Basics

A cluttered environment can lead to mental clutter. The constant search for lost items or the worry of missed deadlines can cause unnecessary stress. Time is a valuable resource, and effective organisation can help you make the most of it. By prioritising tasks and setting clear goals, you can allocate your time wisely and accomplish what matters most to you.

Whether at home or in your professional life, organisation significantly impacts productivity, reduces stress, and improves the overall quality of life.

Get Organised – Declutter Your Space

Getting back to basics starts with your physical environment through a good declutter. It works for both house or office, so go through your home or workspace and identify items you no longer need or use regularly. Decluttering any space can be a bit overwhelming so take things slowly and logically. If a whole house feels too much, break it down into smaller sections. Go room by room, and if that’s too much as well, go one cupboard or drawer at a time.

Throw away things that are broken or have missing pieces. Adopt a seasonal mindset, realising, for instance, that you don’t need to store all your winter clothes at home through summer or have your Christmas decorations filling a whole cabinet all year round. Look into storage unit rental nearby to where you live, and put items you don’t need right now into store for safe keeping. Just this one step will clear out loads of space and let you organise what remains more efficiently.

Get Organised  – Set Clear Goals

Organisation isn’t just about tidying up; it’s also about having a clear sense of purpose. Define your short-term and long-term goals so you know why you’re doing all this. Maybe you want to put the house on the market and need to make your living space look more attractive, maybe you’ve taken up a new hobby and want to clear out some space for the new equipment. Maybe you’re starting a business and need the spare room for an office, but you don’t want to get rid of all the spare furnishings.

There are loads of good reasons to get organised at home or at work. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you prioritise your tasks and stay on track.

Get Organised – Create a To-Do List

When you’re starting any multi-phase task, a to-do list helps keep things in perspective as well as keeping you on track.  Each day, jot down the tasks you need to complete. Be specific and realistic about what you can achieve in a day. As you complete each task, check it off your list – this simple act provides a sense of accomplishment.

Get Organised – Manage Your Time

Allocate specific time slots for your tasks. Set aside time for focused work, breaks, and relaxation. Stick to your schedule as closely as possible, but also be flexible enough to adapt when unexpected events arise. It can also help to set a timer, especially if it’s a task you really don’t relish. Give yourself ten minutes and crack on. When the timer goes off, you stop and re-evaluate. You can either carry on for another ten, or pack it in for the day and do some more tomorrow. It works whether you’re cleaning the bathroom or putting together a work-related report.

Not all tasks are created equal. Use a system to prioritise your to-do list. You can categorise tasks as urgent, important, or non-urgent/non-important. Focus on the urgent and important tasks first to make the most of your time and energy.

Get Organised – Organise Your Space

Once you’ve gained some organised control over your space, determine to keep it that way. Storage solutions can help. Use shelves, drawers, and containers to keep similar items together. Transparent tubs make it easy to see what’s inside, and put labels on everything else.

Digital organisation is just as important, especially for work related tasks. Organise your digital files and emails into folders and categories. Set up auto backups for the important stuff and check your backups now and then to make sure they’re still happening without corruption.

Get Organised – Change Routines When Necessary

Getting organised is one thing but staying organised is a different beast. Life is dynamic, and what works for you today may need tweaking tomorrow, so never shy away from abandoning old methods for new ones that work better. Maybe you need a larger or smaller storage room to rent, maybe you need more play space for the kids, or better wardrobe management strategies for the family. Life happens, so adapt and go with the flow.

Organisation is a beautiful thing, with far reaching effects into all corners of your life. If chaos seems to define your home or work life, it’s time to get back to basics and get organised again.

Debz Louise

Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.