This is such a simple tip, but it truly is one of the best ways to get organized. Creating the habit of putting things away right away is incredibly powerful. We undermine our own best efforts all of the time when we don't take the extra seconds (and I do mean… seconds) to put things away in the right place- the first time.
We all already KNOW to do this, right? But we can also attest to how HARD it is to actually follow this advice. Because we are TIRED when we get home from work, from running errands, from shuttling kids- and we don't want to bother with the extra effort to put things where they belong. It seems like too much trouble.
And even if you manage to put your own things away- it's not like your kids and husband are putting their things away…. so is it a lost cause?
I don't think so.
I think clutter and disorganization are about perceptions as well as realities
You can have your kitchen cleaned up from dinner, the laundry washed, folded, and put away- but if there is a pile of shoes next to the front door, and a stack of mail and bills on the hall table as well as your husband's socks on the floor- suddenly you start feeling disorganized.
And truly- you did the harder stuff- the dinner clean up and the laundry- so it isn't fair that less than 5 minutes worth of work has that much power over your psyche. But we both know that if you take that 5 minutes to sort and put away the mail to throw the shoes into the proper shoe bin in the closet and to just pick up those nasty socks and put them in the hamper- that your whole outlook feels lighter and more together.
Crazy- yes. But it is true.
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So try just putting things away
And doing it right away. Dedicate today to creating the habit of just putting things away where they belong the first time. And see if it makes a noticeable difference in your life.
How can you bring the family into this plan?
Would you like to become more organized this year? These posts can help!
- Best Family Calendars – whether you prefer electronic, paper, or wall calendar- these are the best ones of the year!
- Best Planners for Moms – a family calendar can help you organize your schedule and your time- but a planner can help to make sure that you are giving your life purpose!
- 15 Fantastic Command Centers to Help Busy Moms Stay Organized
- 20 Organized Kids Bedroom Ideas
- 10 Organized Laundry Room Ideas
- 12 Organized Closet Ideas
- 12 Ideas for Entryway & Mudroom Organization
Are you ready to get your life organized? Register for Busy Moms Boot Camp!
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Juliana says
I haven’t read the follow-ups to this article so forgive me if I’m raising an already tackled question, but I already do what you are suggesting and the effect it creates in my household is that the more I put away the more my family leaves lying around. The thing is so bad that I could do this all day long and never be done. The big question for me is how to make your family cooperate and put things away.
Sharon says
Getting the family to cooperate is always a challenge! I say why not try an “incentive plan” (sometimes thought of as a bribe!). Those that pick up after themselves for 24 hours get a special dessert, a bonus to their allowance, etc. Have a family meeting and try to get them inspired!
Anonymous says
Yay! This is. the way it, real-life IS!
A vacation is needed more often than the experience of such happens.