As the new year dawns upon us, there is an innate desire that awakens within many of us—the need for time management and become more organized. After the relaxation during the holiday season, the first week of the year arrives like a blank canvas, inviting us to set our intentions and embark on a path of greater efficiency and order.
It is a time to leave bad habits behind and regain control over our schedules. The most important tasks need motivation and the work-life balance is about to be challenged.
We need to declutter our surroundings and establish a fresh sense of purpose. (I shared my 5 F’s this week.)
Why do we struggle to get Organised?
One common reason is the presence of overwhelming tasks and responsibilities that can make it difficult to prioritize and manage time effectively. Procrastination and a lack of discipline can also hinder organizational efforts, as individuals may find themselves easily distracted or unable to establish consistent routines.
Additionally, a lack of clarity or specific goals can make it challenging to create a structured plan of action. External factors, such as a chaotic environment or external pressures, can further contribute to the struggle.
Moreover, personal habits and mindset play a significant role, as individuals may have ingrained patterns of disorganization or difficulty in maintaining focus.
Ultimately, it requires self-awareness, planning, and consistent effort to overcome the struggle and actually get things done. Sometimes we need to delegate tasks too.
How do you organize when overwhelmed?
Maybe you are looking forward to procrastinating less, exercising more, cleaning better, or being on time more often. Whatever your goals are, I know that they can be  accomplished if you have a way to track your progress or the tools to organize your world a bit more so that you can have time and space for working on those goals.
Keeping track of things online is super handy, but some of us need something in front of us, that we can carry around, and actually write on.
Having a notepad in your handbag is a valuable tool for maintaining an organized life. Make it a habit to carry a pocket-sized notebook in your tote bag or purse wherever you go. This way, you can easily jot down important items like shopping lists, errands, to-dos, and spontaneous thoughts.
A notebook is incredibly portable, requires no recharging, and is always ready to serve you. By having it with you at all times, you’ll be prepared to capture upcoming events, make quick notes, and stay on top of your tasks, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.
That’s definitely the case for me: last year my printable blog planner helped me achieve some of my blogging goals.
TIPS TO GET MORE ORGANIZED AS A MOM
To stay productive and organized, consider the following tips:
Set Clear Goals
Define personal goals that align with your role as a stay-at-home mom. Whether it’s managing household tasks, spending quality time with your children, or pursuing personal hobbies, having clear goals will keep you focused.
Prioritize Tasks
Identify the most important tasks for each day, such as meal planning, household chores, and childcare responsibilities. Prioritize based on urgency and importance to effectively manage your time.
Plan and Schedule
Use a daily or weekly planner to schedule activities, appointments, and routines. Plan meal menus, create a flexible schedule for household chores. Use calendars, to-dos lists and allocate time for self-care or relaxation.
Manage Time Wisely
Be mindful of time management by setting boundaries, avoiding distractions, and optimizing routines. Find pockets of time during nap times or when children are engaged in independent activities to accomplish tasks efficiently.
Declutter and Organize
Create a clutter-free environment by organizing toys, clothes, and other items. Establish designated places for belongings to maintain order and make it easier to find things when needed.
Keep physical and digital spaces organized, develop filing systems, use baskets, shelves, hooks or additional drawers to have everything located and ready for when you need it.
If you work from home and have a workspace, an organized desk is the first step and an organized inbox, the second. Go regularly through your mails and identify junk mail. Unsubscribe from those emails that you receive and never open!
Use Productivity Tools
Consider using digital apps or tools designed for homemaking tasks, such as meal planning apps, chore management apps, or family organization tools to streamline your daily routines.
Set reminders on your phone.
Delegate and involve family
Share responsibilities with your partner or involve children in age-appropriate tasks: dishes, closet, clean up the counter, laundry, etc. Delegating household chores and engaging family members in maintaining a tidy home fosters a sense of shared responsibility.
Establish routines
Develop daily routines for you and your children, including consistent wake-up times, meal times, and bedtime rituals. Routines provide structure and help manage expectations for the entire family.
Take Breaks and Self-Care
Remember to prioritize self-care and take short breaks when needed. Carving out time for yourself, whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, or pursuing a hobby, is essential for recharging batteries and maintaining overall well-being.
Adapting these tips to your life will help you create a balanced and organized lifestyle that meets your unique needs and responsibilities. Remember to be flexible and adjust these strategies as your children grow and your circumstances change.
How can I become more organized in my daily life?
I want to help you get organized so you can accomplish your goals, too, so today I’m sharing 5 Free Printables for a New Year.
#1. Â Weekly Planner
Keep track of all your to-do lists for a week at a time with these colorful printables from Artsy-Fartsy Mama.
I like how you can see everything going on for the week on one page, plus have an idea of what your menu looks like.
#2. Â Menu/Grocery Planner
Speaking of menus, here’s a printable you can use to plan your family’s menu and grocery list in one spot.
It’s one of several free printables designed and shared by Imperfect Homemaking for blogging and non-blogging moms alike.
#3. Â Daily Routine Planner
Maybe one of your goals is to get a productive daily routine established.
If that’s the case for you, this daily planner from Simple Organized Living might be really helpful. I like how there are spots in this one to keep track of your water intake and exercise minutes.
#4. Â Customized Labels
Trying to get your home organized, this year?
The Rubber Punkin has dozens of labels ready to print or customize that you can use to make all the things you’ve sorted easier to find. They look amazing in my pantry too!
#5. Color Labels
If small-scale organization is on your list of resolutions, then these color labels from Craftaholics Anonymous are perfect for you.
They would be super fun for a craft room, art supplies, or even a little girl’s hair accessories!
How do you organize if you have ADHD?
Organizing strategies can be especially helpful for individuals with ADHD but it won’t be very different to someone without ADHD though.
Here are some special tips to help you organize effectively:
Simplify and Declutter:Â Start by decluttering your physical and digital spaces. Minimize distractions by keeping only essential items. Toss unnecessary clutter.
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps:Â Large tasks can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach makes tasks more approachable and reduces the chances of getting overwhelmed.
Use Visual Cues and Reminders: Visual cues can be powerful aids for organization. Utilize color-coded labels, sticky notes, or visual reminders to help you remember tasks, deadlines, and important information.
Establish Routines and Schedules: Establishing consistent routines and schedules can provide structure and help manage time effectively. Set specific times for regular activities, such as waking up, meals, and dedicated work/study periods.
Utilize Timers and Alarms:Â Use timers or alarms to create a sense of urgency and keep you on track. Set reminders for task transitions, appointments, or important deadlines to help you stay organized and manage your time effectively.
Utilize Technology:Â Leverage technology tools and apps designed to assist with organization and task management. Use digital calendars, task management apps, or reminder apps to keep track of appointments, deadlines, and to-do lists.
Prioritize and Focus on One Task at a Time: Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency. Avoid multitasking and instead focus on one task at a time to maintain better concentration and productivity.
Seek Support: Reach out to family members, friends, or professionals who can provide support and accountability. Consider working with a coach or therapist who specializes in ADHD to help you develop personalized strategies and techniques.
Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care: Allow yourself regular breaks to recharge and prevent burnout. Engage in self-care activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress, such as exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies you enjoy.
Remember, organizing strategies may vary for individuals with ADHD, so it’s important to experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you encounter challenges along the way. Stay patient, persistent, and celebrate small victories as you develop your own personalized system of organization.
Can you be too organized?
While being organized is generally beneficial, it is possible to become too organized to the point where it becomes counterproductive or excessive. A few considerations are:
- Perfectionism: Striving for absolute perfection and obsessing over minute details can hinder progress and lead to unnecessary stress. It’s important to find a balance between organization and allowing for flexibility and adaptability.
- Overcomplication: Creating overly complex systems or processes can consume excessive time and energy, defeating the purpose of organization. It’s essential to keep systems streamlined and straightforward, focusing on efficiency rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
- Rigidity: Being overly rigid in adhering to schedules and plans can cause stress when unexpected events or changes occur. It’s important to maintain a level of flexibility to adapt to new circumstances while still maintaining overall organization.
- Neglecting Creativity: Overemphasizing structure and organization may inadvertently stifle creativity and spontaneity. Allowing for some degree of controlled chaos or open-endedness can promote innovation and fresh perspectives.
- Diminished Relaxation: If the pursuit of organization becomes all-consuming, it can lead to a lack of downtime and relaxation. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between productivity and self-care to obtain the best work possible.
Ultimately, the key is finding a level of organization that supports your productivity, reduces stress, and enhances your overall well-being.
It’s essential to adapt and adjust your organizational approach as needed, making sure it aligns with your specific goals and priorities.
Great ideas here, Becki — wish I could findt one for working moms/bloggers, too. I seem to have multiple planners going all the time and would love if I could consolidate into one! Someday… 🙂
Enjoy your weekend ~ Heidi 🙂
Wow, thanks so much for including my printable in your roundup!! 🙂
Great Ideas, too bad none of them can actually be printed for free.
I am confused by your comment. They are all free printables.
I get that. Ugh! I need multiple planners!
the printable I’m most into this year? YOUR blogger planner, which is how I found you. That thing is so amazing and hopefully will make me better about posting regularly, particularly when it comes to themed series of posts
also, for @ heidi:
if you print the planner’s sheets but instead of binding them, you can put them in a 3 binder separated by folders/tabs. also then you can buy folders that have pockets in them so you can throw in appointment cards etc
Thank you thank you thank you! I have been reading your blog for about a year now and I have to tell you how excited I am when I see your email in my inbox 🙂 ! I am a closet blogger/youtuber (yup its possible…) and you’ve inspired me to really get organized and make keeping my social media life a priority – and find time to do everything else! 🙂 So thanks for this and all of your fabulous posts! I’ve learned a lot.
Best comment of the month, you are so sweet. Thank you for being so excited about my content every day. That makes me happy.