New Year, New Order: 5 Simple Steps to Start Your Year Organized
Start the year off right!
The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button, especially when it comes to getting organized. For busy middle-aged individuals juggling careers, family, and personal commitments, the chaos of everyday life can easily lead to clutter—both physical and mental. But don’t worry! You don’t have to overhaul your life to get organized. Instead, small, consistent steps can help you regain control and set yourself up for a smooth, productive year ahead.
Here are five easy and actionable ways to start the new year organized, even with a packed schedule.
Tip #1: Tidy Your Space with a 10-Minute Daily Reset
When life is busy, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cleaning and organizing. Instead, build a daily habit of a quick 10-minute reset.
Pick a time—either in the morning or right before bed—and spend just a few minutes putting things back where they belong. Whether it’s clearing the kitchen counters, folding laundry, or sorting mail, this small effort helps prevent clutter from building up and ensures you wake up or come home to a tidy space. Over time, these little resets add up and make a big difference.
Tip #2: Create a Simple Weekly Planning Routine
For many busy people, the key to staying organized isn’t in managing individual tasks, but in having a clear overview of the week ahead. A weekly planning routine will help reduce stress and ensure you stay focused on what’s most important, without feeling overwhelmed by last-minute surprises.
- Dedicate just 15-20 minutes each day to organizing and decluttering. each Sunday evening (or whenever works best for you) to plan your upcoming week
- Look at your calendar, jot down important events, and prioritize tasks.
- Write out a to-do list that includes both work and personal obligations, and allow room for flexibility.
Tip #3: Streamline Your Wardrobe with a Capsule Collection
A cluttered wardrobe can make mornings feel chaotic, especially when you’re short on time. To simplify, consider creating a capsule wardrobe—a curated collection of versatile, high-quality pieces that mix and match easily.
By having fewer items to choose from, you’ll reduce decision fatigue and streamline your morning routine. Take a weekend to clean out your closet, donate what no longer fits or serves you, and create a wardrobe that works for your lifestyle. Starting the day with a simplified closet means you’re one step closer to a more organized life.
Tip #4: Declutter One Small Area at a Time
You don’t have to declutter your entire home in one weekend to start feeling organized. Instead, tackle one small area each day or week. For example, spend 10-15 minutes organizing a drawer, a shelf, or a corner of a room. The key is consistency. Over the course of a few weeks, you’ll have cleared out most of the clutter in your home without it feeling overwhelming. Consider setting aside one day each month for a deeper declutter session, where you can tackle bigger areas like the garage, attic, or office space.
Tip #5: Implement a Paper Management System
Paperwork can easily accumulate, leading to a mountain of bills, documents, and miscellaneous papers. Start the year with a plan to manage your mail and paperwork effectively. Staying on top of your paperwork ensures you won’t waste time searching for things and keeps your home looking tidy.
- Set up a filing system for important documents and create a “To Do” folder for papers that need attention, such as bills or forms to fill out
- At the end of each week, take a few minutes to review, file, or shred any unnecessary papers.
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