How to organise your life.

Do you desire a simple, stress-free and enjoyable life? I do and I'm glad that I've discovered organisation habits and techniques to better my lifestyle. You'll be surprised by how minor changes can have major impacts if we apply ourselves...

I enjoy organising and as a result, I've been known to be a 'neat and tidy' type of gal. The organisation helps make life much easier to approach. I've developed a clearer mindset so I can make better decisions/changes. Over the past year, I have been looking into how to be paperless and ways to make my systems more digital. I've found that my systems of using folders, labels, and other planning tools has really allowed me to put my efforts in the right places.

You might be the opposite- you might dislike putting things in order or aren't bothered by 'mess' however you deem that. Below are some tips on how you can be more organised to enjoy life.

Be more organised.

Use a calendar.

I'm sure this tip is no surprise to you but believe me when I say it is a great tool. Having a calendar that you can regularly see/access will allow you to visualise how you spend your time and availability. My preference is usually monthly calendars alongside daily schedules (an option of Google Calendar) because it's just the right period of time to oversee. With your calendar, insert important dates that you need to consider e.g. dentist appointment, your anniversary, back to school season etc. Whatever the event, mark it down in your calendar so that you are conscious of it. I'd also encourage the use of colour coding to categorise events based on different areas of your life e.g. work, family, personal, school etc. This helps you to identify the balance you currently have in your life.

Create to-do lists.

Most people when they hear the words 'to-do list' sigh or get a dreaded feeling. The question we'd like to know is why? Well, it's a common mistake that we write numerous things on our lists to do all at once or within a short timeframe. The best way to remain organised and not overwhelmed is to keep the lists simple and daily. Try to keep the list to approximately 3-5 tasks (depending on how big they are). It is then a good idea to estimate how much time tasks will take (or how you long you intend to spend) and prioritise them in whichever way works for you (e.g. importance, time, resources required etc). The main reason why I recommend lists are set daily is because it provides a clean slate, it encourages to keep the lists to a minimum and allows flexibility.

Use reminders

We all forget small details sometimes and that's ok. However, we must make a conscious effort, not to less they hinder our performances in life. I have developed a habit to write notes consistently and this is helpful for planning. There is scientific research which shows the effectiveness of writing information down, so I'd suggest you start off doing this. You can also use apps on your devices to notify you of key info, dates and events. Are you using one? The apps can really help you in real-time to stay on top of things. Another tip is to set reminders in advance so you have adequate time to prepare.

Group (systems)

Grouping makes the search or recollection of items, ideas or whatever it might be so much easier. Grouping is my way of saying you should categorise, be it; alphabetically, colours, size etc. For my wardrobe, I fold my clothes and group them based on the type of clothing pieces they are. This tip is useful for those of you who find that your belongings are often scattered or hard to find when you need them. Another helpful tip is to label items or areas you might forget where they are placed- perfect for beginners. How you format and place items also make a difference. Going back to my wardrobe example, I tend to put more used pieces at the top and less used pieces towards the bottom which helps with convenience.

Communicate your availability.

No matter how organised and prepared you are poor communication could lead to a complete mess. It's great that you know how much time you have on your hands and what tasks require of you but other people won't. People have become so interconnected -with the help of the internet- hence we can work on projects together, offer each other support etc. If you find that you can/cannot commit to something, politely let the other person know (e.g. text, call, email, video call) or try to reschedule so it works for both parties. Lastly, have boundaries in place so that you aren't going to burn out or do things you simply don't want to do (AKA the power of saying no). An organised person also need time for themselves, which is how you can create less stress in life.

Thank you for reading this week's blog, I hope it was helpful to those who needed a bit of guidance. There are so many benefits to keeping organised, such as improved time management, better emotional wellbeing (less worrying and stressing) as well as simplifying life. The organisation is a habitual thing you develop over time- don't forget. Comment below your organisation journey.

Until Next Time...Ludel.