2022 is right around the corner and it seems like almost everyone is getting into their new resolution for the year. For some it’s to eat healthier, for others it’s to start exercising. For you, it may be to stay more organized.
Life can get messy and messy, so it’s important to stay on top of everything. Here are 7 simple things you can do to stay better organized.
#1 Journaling
We’ve all seen those TikTok and Instagram bullet journal posts from these wonderful artists and thought, “Wow. I wish I could do that.” Well, you can! Regardless of your artistic abilities, you can take 10-15 minutes out of your day to write down thoughts, things you want to remember, a to-do list, or recent events in your life. Keeping a journal can help you organize your thoughts and has been proven to relieve stress. Who doesn’t want that in their life?
If you want to go beyond that, get out your colored pencils and markers. You can create quite adorable and aesthetically pleasing illustrations. Journaling can be as simple and minimal, or as complex and elaborate as you want it to be. Your journal is your canvas.
See this post on Instagram
#2 To Do Lists
In everyday life, things to remember, tasks to do, and items to pack or buy come quickly to mind. It’s hard to keep track of everything you need to do. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to staying on top of all the things you need to remember. Make lists! Grocery lists, to-do lists, homework lists, packing lists, reminder lists, and any other type of list can be helpful.
Making lists is also easy to do. You can use plain paper, a notes app, a reminders app, Notion, or any other type of platform that lets you create checklists. Introducing this simple habit into your life can increase your productivity and motivation!
#3 Have a weekly cleaning time
Daily life can become quite tiring and chaotic. Unfortunately, cleaning can be difficult. Finding the motivation, time or energy to do so can be even more difficult. To keep your living and working spaces as organized and clean as possible, set a time each week when you can fully devote yourself to tidying up. By doing so, you’ll be more likely to get your cleanup done faster.
Setting the same time for each week can create some stability in your schedules and routines, and may even motivate you more to clean. For example, you can cleanse for 10 minutes every night. Whatever works for you. 
#4 Start meditating or doing yoga
It’s cliché, but introducing mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation are great healers for the body. Pull out that 10-year-old yoga mat or download a trendy meditation app. The choice is yours. Yoga can give you an excuse to put on a nice workout outfit while improving your mental well-being. Meanwhile, meditation can be practiced almost anywhere, anytime, and can do the exact same thing. Both can increase body awareness, relax the mind, and improve your mood.
Having a clear and sharp brain will allow you to become more mentally organized and on top of things. Making sure your thoughts are collected and calm can really make a difference when it comes to organization. It’s all in the head.
#5 Manage your time well
It’s probably the hardest thing to do on this list, but if you’re confident, you can do it. Staying on top of your goals and missions is crucial. One way to keep these tasks from overflowing and becoming disorganized is to manage your time well. Procrastination is so easy now with all the distractions like social media on our phones. You never want to be in a situation where you prepare for a test the day before because yesterday you wanted to parade on TikTok.
Even though it sometimes seems impossible to avoid, if you plan your free time, it could save you a lot of time. To put yourself in the best position to succeed when it comes to not procrastinating, try to eliminate distractions and hold yourself accountable when you notice yourself straying from the task. Managing your time well is certainly difficult at first, but everyone has to start somewhere.
#6 Keep a schedule
Forgetting something is bad, but forgetting an encounter with someone is even worse. Life is a blur and it’s hard to keep track of everything on your plate, but keeping a calendar can help. They come in digital and physical formats and are great for organizing your upcoming schedule as well as working on time management. If you’re not already using a calendar, it can be hard to get into the habit of fitting events into your schedule, but if you stick with it, it’ll soon become second nature.
Not only are calendars great for keeping track of your schedule, but they can also help you visualize the days and weeks ahead so you can prepare. If you start marking notable events in your calendar, your brain won’t have to keep track of all the information about your projects. 
#7 Treat yourself well and avoid unnecessary stress
A big cause of disorganization is simply because you’re too stressed and never give yourself time off. When you are mentally and physically tired, everything can get out of place and confusing. In general, you should treat yourself properly. Priority to your health, still. Being able to stay on top of things starts with you, and if you’re not 100%, you won’t be able to. Because of that, take care of yourself and do things that make you happy. Use a bath bomb, do some skin care, or read a book.
Also, try to avoid unnecessary stress. Stress weighs so much on your body and your attitude. Don’t force yourself into a stressful environment if you don’t need to. A little stress can be good, but know your limits.
If you can implement a few (bonus points if you can do all 7!) of these things in your life, you will find yourself and feel more organized in at least one way. Getting unmotivated to be organized can happen, but it’s all part of your journey to the promised land of organized living. Good luck with this endeavor, and I hope these tips have helped you.
