How To Stay Sorted & Sane
5 simple habits to maintain your organized home
Getting organized is a big win and staying that way is what truly changes how your home feels. After I leave, you should feel so good because it takes much less work to keep things in order. The secret is simple, realistic habits that fit into your daily life.
Here are five simple ways to keep your space Sorted & Sane long after I leave:
1. Don’t Put It Down…Put It Away (In Its New Home)
Now that everything has a designated home, the goal is to return items there when you’re done using them. Putting things down “for now” is how clutter sneaks back in. Clutter is delayed decisions. Decide what to do with it when you’re putting it away.
This one habit, done consistently, will be a huge help in maintaining organization.
2. Surfaces & Floors Are Not Storage
Counters, tables, chairs (and yes, the floor) are clutter magnets. When something doesn’t have a clear home, it tends to land wherever there’s space.
Decide ahead of time what surfaces are allowed to hold and what they’re not. If it’s on the counter or floor, it’s asking for a decision.
Clear surfaces and floors instantly make your home feel calmer, more spacious, and easier to maintain, even on busy days.
3. Pause Before You Purchase
Just because you can buy it, doesn’t mean you should.
Organization can’t outpace constant inflow. The average household brings in 150 to 300 items a month (between groceries, gifts, purchases, etc). Before bringing something new into your home, pause and ask:
Where will this live?
Can I borrow this instead of buy it/store it in my house forever?
Do I already own something similar?
What am I willing to let go of to make space for this item?
Can I add it to my online cart and see if I still need it in a week?
Shopping with intention protects the systems we put in place and keeps clutter from rebuilding.
4. Decluttering Is a Muscle. Keep Flexing it!
Decluttering isn’t a one time event; it’s an ongoing practice. Make it easy by keeping a designated donation drop spot in your home whether that be a bag, bin, or basket. Having these in several spots around your home is helpful.
When something no longer serves you, drop it in. When it’s full, donate it. Fewer decisions, less buildup, more breathing room.
5. Quick Reset Routines Make a Big Difference
Your home doesn’t need you to spend hours cleaning on the weekends, just regular, short resets. Five to ten minutes at a time prevents clutter from ever becoming overwhelming.
A nightly kitchen counter reset
A daily bag/backpack cleanout
Short routine chores done daily