How to have an organized house

Managing a house can be challenging. However, I am happy to share four organizational and planning tips that will help you keep your house organized while maintaining your sanity.

Start by giving yourself credit

Start with an appreciation for yourself. I really mean it. It is easy to feel that you are not doing enough, that you should be accomplishing more, or that you are not living up to your potential. It’s a familiar feeling, but the truth is you are probably doing more than you think. You are simply not tracking all you do, so you are not aware of how amazing you are. The first thing you need to keep your house organized is to understand the difference between a task and a project. This is key.

1. Understand the difference between a task and a project

A task is a single action you complete to achieve a larger goal. On the other hand, a project is a greater effort that typically involves multiple tasks and requires more planning and coordination. Therefore your ambitious project to clean the Kitchen after a full day of work and preparing dinner may likely fail because it’s simply too much.

Examples of tasks involved in cleaning the Kitchen.

• Clear off countertops
• Wipe down countertops and backsplash.
• Clean stovetop
• Clean sink and faucet
• Tidy the pantry
• Sweep or vacuum the floor
• Load the dishwasher
• Wipe out fridge
• Take out the trash
• And the list goes on…

When you say you will do something and don’t, it can have a negative impact on your brain. You can become overwhelmed—often causing guilt, anxiety, and stress.

On the contrary, if you decide to clear off the countertops, which you did, it will positively impact your brain and increase your sense of accomplishment.

Be realistic regarding the orders you give to yourself and others. Only choose a task or two that you can complete. That’s enough!

Now you still don’t have that organized Kitchen. I’ll explain how you can achieve that in the following sections.

2. Break down the projects

Every Friday, select one project you would like to get done and give yourself seven days to complete the project. Let’s go back to the Kitchen project.

In week one, you can decide that you will organize the pantry. Identify the tasks involved.

On day one, you can empty the pantry and throw away what you don’t need.

On day two, you may decide to clean the area

On day three, you start to organize. You get the idea.

You may be able to complete all the tasks in one day. If not, that’s ok. You have seven days. And don’t forget to delegate. Assign tasks and responsibilities to each family member.

Once you are done with the pantry, you can move to organize your cabinets and so on.

3. Declutter regularly

Regularly go through your belongings and get rid of anything that you no longer need. This can help keep your home organized and free of clutter.

4. Set up systems

Establish systems for things like mail, bills, and laundry to help keep them under control. We do a set of laundry every day at my house. Invest in a shredder or two to help reduce clutter and protect sensitive information.

Remember

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we’re not doing enough, but the truth is you’re probably doing more than you think. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. Set your own expectations rather than living up to someone else, as it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to please others or meet their expectations. By taking care of yourself and practicing self-compassion, you can build resilience and maintain a positive mindset.

You got this!

Kate