Most people think being organized means having a tidy house that always looks good. The benefits of being organized come to fruition when organizing involves making all-encompassing life choices that help you be more efficient and less stressed in your day-to-day activities. Establishing good organizing habits takes us on a journey where simplicity and intentionality intersect. Each person’s definition of what this looks will be a little different because what works for you might not work for me and vice versa. But I think there are some foundational principals that can be laid as a great starting point. In Part 1, I have included 5 aspects of your life and the benefits of being organized.
Overarching Principles: some things to remember
Table of Contents
- Organizing is fluid.
- All aspects of your life can reap the benefits of being organized.
- Organizing involves determination and commitment.
- Having an organized life frees up time and energy for the things you love.
- Organizing involves putting things in their place and giving them a home.
- Organization and routines go hand in hand
- being organized involves all aspects of life
Organizing in its simplest form is having a place for everything and being able to find things quickly. But for me, organizing is way more than that. It involves being organized in all aspects of my life. It drives my decisions, keeps me on track, allows me to reach my goals, gives me freedom and purpose. I’ve composed a list of all aspects of life and the corresponding benefits of being organized and developing good organizing habits
The Benefits of Being Organized in 10 Aspects of Life
Home:
Having an organized home means that you’ve reduced the amount of clutter you have, making room for the things that are important, useful, and bring you joy. You’ve created a living space that look good, feels clean, is calming and runs like clockwork. Organizing can be simple in that it boils down to what items to keep and where they should go versus what to get rid of that’s not serving a purpose.
When I reduce the amount of stuff in a room, whether it be knickknacks, furniture, clutter, stuff we don’t use, or items that don’t belong in this particular room, it allows me to breathe a sigh of relief and actually enjoy the space. I am able to keep the room tidy since everything has a home to go back to and can clean efficiently since I don’t need to spend a ton of time straightening up or moving things so that I can dust or vacuum.
Time:
How we choose to spend our time is a very important part of being organized. Time is finite, with 60 minutes in each hour, and only 24 hours in each day. The biggest question to ask ourselves if whether or not what we’re spending our time on and striving to complete is the best use of our time and energy. The answer is to set goals and create to-do lists that are in line with what we want to accomplish and how we can make the biggest impact during our time on this planet. It’s best to stop worrying about how productive we are which focuses on getting as much done as possible, to being mindful and intentional with the time that we have.
When I make a conscious effort to be mindful of how I spend my time, I can really focus on the things that are important to me. Setting a timer has worked wonders as it keeps me focused on task, making me aware of the consistent countdown and the amount of time left to complete a task. Eliminating time wasters such as Facebook and searching the internet has also helped a lot.
Money:
Staying on top of spending can be one of the greatest organizing challenges. We all have credit cards that allow us to buy what we want, when we want. We are bombarded with limited time offers, irresistible sales, and shiny new objects. But figuring out how much money you bring in, your fixed expenses, and deciding what is truly important to you, will allow you to determine what to buy and what not to buy.
Decision making plays a huge part in everything I choose to buy. Having a budget and setting financial goals is not always enough for me to say no to buying something. Having a bigger purpose or goal helps me pass up buying small, seemingly inexpensive things that I don’t really need. The bigger the goal, the easier it is to pass up on less important items.
Meal Planning:
There is nothing worse than going to the fridge, opening a door, and having “nothing to eat”. Creating a couple weeks’ worth of meals and a corresponding grocery list to have on hand is a life saver! Having a system to keep track of items you need is essential; as is setting aside time to get to the grocery store.
One of the most helpful things to me when it comes to grocery shopping is going with a friend. And it helps to reward myself with some type of treat- a flavored latte or my favorite chocolate bar. Since I don’t like grocery shopping, delegating is also another great option. But keeping my meals simple and not trying too many new recipes helps minimize the overwhelm and the amount of time I spend in the kitchen. Here are some other great benefits of meal planning!!
Health:
What we eat, staying in shape, and taking care of ourselves might be the most important thing when it comes to organizing. This means that we are prioritizing our wellbeing. We are valuing ourselves enough to make time and put in the effort to stay healthy, get enough rest, and be energized.
If I am worn out, both mentally or physically, the last thing I want to do is clean. When I reduce the amount of sugar I eat, go to be early enough, and do some aerobic activity, it helps me feel better and have more energy and motivation. Otherwise, everything goes to the wayside.
These 5 aspects are very tangible and practical, and I hope you discover the benefits of being organized. They involve the day-to-day activities of housekeeping and household management. For me, they set the groundwork for the other aspects of my life. They are not the end all be all though. Finding true happiness and contentment involves 5 aspects I will discuss in the 2nd part of this series. Stay tuned!!
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Hi, I’m Shara
I have a passion for organizing. This stems from being naturally drawn to simplicity and structure in my home. Combined with my desire to help women achieve their goals, Simply Renewed Living was born.
Wow! I’m inspired to keep up my decluttering efforts despite how hard it can be when the rest of the family isn’t so motivated. So much value in this post!
I love this post! We’re in the process of decluttering and we’ve freed up so much space and we also feel happier for some reason. We also benefit financially because we’re selling some of the things we’re getting rid of.
I agree with everything! Meal prep is crucial, especially if you have goals in mind. Thanks for sharing!
I used to take meal planning for granted – now I realize that it goes a long in helping the family eat healthy, prepping meals quicker, and less stress during dinner time. I have become organized in this area, and I’m glad I explored it.