How do you create a daily routine for home organization?

The first step is making daily decisions about what you bring into your home. The second step is looking at the clutter around you and putting things away in their designated place at least once, by the end of the day so you can wake up and start fresh. Then periodically (monthly is attainable for many) making decisions about what is staying in your home - is it time to go? Recycle, donate or repurpose things that are no longer useful.

It can be valuable to ask these questions of others in your household too. Sometimes they see areas of challenge that you no longer do.

Pay attention to what routines and systems already work for you. Think about why they work and then try to replicate them in other areas. For example, you might have a great coffee area with everything in one place (mugs, coffee, electric kettle, etc.) so you don't get distracted. Replicate that by having your bills, laptop, and recycling bin all together and near the area where you tend to pay bills. Another example, you might have a neat library because the books are visible on a shelf versus inside a cabinet. If so, create more visible storage for other areas.

The finance world uses "zero-based budgeting" to create annual budgets. Instead of revising last year's budget, Finance starts with every line item at $0 and builds from there so that every line item has to be justified, not just tweaked. Do this with your home schedule! Assume the only given requirements in your day are getting up and going to bed. Now, purposefully add things back into your schedule based on household needs. Keep meals, but simplify what you're doing to save time on prep and clean-up. Perhaps you enjoy book club, but it's not a good use of your time in this season. It's OK to say 'no' to things that are good things but not best for you right now. https://unjumbledhome.com/7-reasons-its-ok-to-say-no/

In my experience, assessing your short-term and long-term life priorities and goals is the most important pre-step. This internal analysis will help you assess your needs- and limits- for a daily routine.

If you are someone who has a chronic health condition or a mental health condition, be sue to have different expectations of yourself on "A" days (good days) versus "B days" (not so great days). "A" days are the days where you can get more done. "B" days are for the bare minimum tasks. Identify tasks for these days, in advance, so you don't feel bad about what you didn't get done. And always be kind to yourself and set your own expectations, not those imposed by others.

Don't forget to schedule 'down time'. It's just as important as your other to-do's in a day. And you'll get more out of your down time if you are purposeful about it. Planning a 20-minute walk or listening to 20 minutes of Audible is a lot more beneficial than 20 minutes on TikTok. (You can even combine listening to Audible and taking a walk!)

If you have trouble focusing, try using a tool like focusmate.com for accountability. There are other rules that can help. One rule is the one-in-one-out rule. For every new item you bring in, something has to go. For example, if your kids have a playroom full of toys, when a new toy arrives, one has to go. Another rule: Build in time at the end of different activities for clean-up. Set a timer at the end of dinner for a 5-10 minute cleanup, including putting dishes in the dishwasher, food away, cleaning counters. Set reminders on your phone to remind you of a new habit at the appropriate moment.

Pair this short task with something else you easily accomplish every day. And be sure it's during the best time of day for this activity.

There are usually many items around your home that can be re-purposed for organizing. Don't go out and buy new bins, baskets, and other products without considering what you can use that you already own. This will save you money AND eliminate bringing even more into your home.

First tool is to create a routine that would resemble a workflow in business. Complete the same chores and tasks each day at the same times if possible. Second tool is to have a routine of periodic decluttering. The less stuff there is in your home, the less there is to organize. Third tool is to organize what's left - and this should be things you need or like. The products used to organize these things are secondary to the major concept of making sure every thing in your home has a designated place where it belongs (a home within your home).

Keep all papers vertical! The biggest mistake I see are papers piles on a surface. Who knows what's beneath that top paper on the pile. Keeping papers vertical means that you can access all the papers easily. That's why filing cabinets hold papers vertically. Don't over complicate any system or you won't be able to keep it up. Also, use clear bins in situations where it is helpful to see its contents. If aesthetics are important to you - go for it! BUT, don't hold aesthetics over function or the system will fall apart in a hot minute.

There is such a push in the industry these days to buy bins and containers and things to hold all of your stuff. The thing is, a storage bin won’t solve your clutter problem. You can buy all the storage bins The Container Store sells, but if you’re just filling them up with your stuff and putting them in a closet or in a drawer, you’re not getting rid of clutter. You’re just filling your home with storage bins.

Consider giving yourself points for accomplishments and "earning" various treats based on how many points you have. For instance, maybe a massage needs 15 points while a cup of coffee needs only 1 or 2 points. YOU get to decide when you reward yourself and how "all out" you want to go.

Don't forget to acknowledge any successes. We are often too quick to jump to the next "to do" on our list without stopping to see how much we have accomplished. Show yourself some love by telling yourself how much you have done instead of focusing on what you haven't done yet. Studies have shown that talking to ourselves in third person makes it easier to show compassion to ourselves just like we would a good friend. Look in the mirror and say "Good job, [insert your name]!" And if you are having a tough day, you can still say "That's OK, [Insert your name]. You are still a great person even if your home is messy.