Ever since I graduated college I've made it a priority to declutter and organize my childhood room while finding little ways to keep my day to day life in order. For me personally, moving home after graduation was the right path to save money, pay off student loans and really start focusing on transitioning into adulthood. However, it honestly took me a while to get adjusted to working full time (and then some) at a job I love, having the responsibilities of bills like car insurance or train passes, and overall the big changes that take place like making difficult decisions and really getting used to the adjustment.
One of the biggest things that helped me through the adjustment period was redoing my room and organizing everything. I threw away bags full of things I just didn't need and also donated bags of clothes and items I never wore or used. Once I started going through everything and making my room a mini getaway, it became a relaxing place I could retreat to after a long day.
So as you start bringing your New Year goals and resolutions to life, I wanted to share five tips that I've implemented and continue working on that really help me stay organized! I hope this helps you as well!
1. Make your bed every day! Not only does it make your room look clean, but in a survey conducted by Hunch.com of 68,000 people, 71% of bed makers consider themselves happy while 62% of non-bed-makers admit to being unhappy. Obviously this doesn't mean people who don't make their bed's aren't always unhappy, but the study also finds bed makers are also more likely to enjoy work, own a home, and exercise regularly, compared to non-bed-makers who hate their jobs, rent apartments, avoid the gym, and wake up tired! (Psychology Today).
2. Get ready for work the night before. This is definitely something that I have been trying to work on, but pack your lunch and snacks the night before work so you don't have to rush in the morning. To make getting ready even easier, lay out the clothes you plan on wearing, along with your work bag, coat, etc. so you don't have to scramble while getting ready for the day.
3. Go through your clothes and drawers. Donating clothes you don't wear anymore and going through drawers and closets throughout your house or apartment can help you purge items that are creating clutter. Start by taking everything out of drawers and look through each item. If you haven't worn it in over a year to two years, chances are you won't any time soon!
4. Set expectations. Having your space organized can really help your mental state and also give you a sense of accomplishment, but it's important to remember that organizing doesn't have to be tackled all at once. It's definitely a process that takes time to get used to and should be taken one step at a time. Start with manageable projects and work your way towards creating a routine!
5. Use a planner. One of my favorite things to do, especially at work, is creating 'to-do' lists and crossing of things as I go. Making lists helps you prioritize and not forget important tasks that need to be completed. If I don't have my planner on me, I use notes in my phone to keep things in order.