You know the deep sense of satisfaction you get after tackling a big organizational task, like cleaning out the garage or organizing the linen closet? Suddenly, everything in life feels a little more organized and manageable, even if it’s just in our imagination. As much as I love this feeling, those larger tasks are often rescheduled for a Sunday afternoon when I have time to spend a few hours. But I yes found a few ways to get some of these organizing ideas into the work week: even when things get really busy, I can still remind myself of this fact: Hey, it’ll only take a few minutes!
Aside from the sense of calm that dealing with these organizational tasks gives me, the additional side effect is that my life tends to stay organized as these have become my regular routine. I don’t know about you, but when my space is neat and organized, I find that my concentration improves, my mood is lighter, and I feel less distracted. It’s hard to keep track of my day if I feel like I’m being pulled in multiple directions because things have gotten out of control. That’s why I can’t get enough organizational tips in my life. So I’d love to hear about your promptness in the comments! Just call this the “cheap thrills” of the organization.
Read on for 25 organizational ideas that can be tackled in 5 minutes or less.
1. Create tomorrow’s to-do list in order of priority.
Don’t waste time going back and forth between chores or odd projects, instead, make a to-do list that will save you the most time and energy. I find that my mind is fresher and I’m more focused in the morning, which is a good time for more energy-intensive and longer tasks that I might start to worry about if they’re put off. to the afternoon.
2. Delete any apps on your phone that you don’t use.
It not only wastes space on your device but also takes up space in your mind. Old games you no longer play, defunct social networking apps, and old work apps don’t need to take up any visual power. It is time to say goodbye!
3. Organize the pantry by tossing old items and grouping ingredients together.
I was shocked by the difference my pantry reorganization has made in my everyday life. After a few years at my house, it’s all turned into a mess and needs a major overhaul, but I feel like I don’t know how to make it happen. Fortunately, my mother visited and brought her professional organizational advice. It’s a complete game changer!
4. Clean up your desktop by deleting unnecessary documents and saving everything else in folders.
You’ll be amazed at the difference in reducing the digital clutter in your life. Your computer will work faster, you’ll be able to find the files you need faster, and overall, you’ll feel less stressed navigating. Digital organization tricks are just as essential as IRL tricks these days!
5. Wipe out your makeup drawer and toss old products.
It’s a myth that a drawer or makeup bag can go from neat and tidy to an absolute disaster. How did that happen? Review it quarterly and get rid of the half-used products that aren’t working well, get rid of the ones you’ve forgotten, and clean everything up while you’re at it.
6. Throw away any trash in your car (including the trunk!) and take with you items that have built up over time.
Is anyone else guilty of this? It’s easy to leave your coat, old napkin, or odd soda can in the car. But over time, it becomes unmanageable. Give all a thorough and fresh start.
7. Return unanswered texts.
Is there anything more difficult than the small number next to your text messaging app? Take a moment each week to get back to the loved ones who have connected with you. Not only will you feel refreshed when that burden is lifted, but it will also feel great to be around the people you want to get back to.
8. Organize your office or home desk by cleaning up desktop clutter. Recycle any paperwork you no longer need.
Despite the fact that very few of us need physical paper for our day-to-day tasks, there always seems to be a paper clutter that never ends and is difficult to reduce. Take the time to sift through any type of document or paperwork—everything from old letters to notes or antique papers. It is time to say goodbye.
9. Clear your wallet.
Don’t waste time looking for your keys and phone and make sure you only bring your daily essentials.
10. Reply to an email that you have ignored the most.
We all know one, the dreaded email that haunts us all. Take off the scarf and free your mind from that burden. It may take less time than you think and you will feel truly liberated.
11. Sort the items you need to donate in the closet.
I like to do this every season when it’s pretty obvious that I’m no longer using a particular set of clothes. More often than not, if you’ve gone an entire winter without wearing a particular sweater or you keep missing a certain swimsuit on your beach trips, it’s time to say yes. bye. (And don’t just leave a bag of clothes in your car and “forget” to take it to Goodwill!)
12. Clear out the drawers in the kitchen.
Everyone has one. Save yourself the daily sifting and keep only what you really need almost daily. This may seem like a basic organizational trick, but it’s amazing how the most common things are the ones that cause us the most pain! Follow our expert trash drawer organizing tips and you’ll be on the right track!
13. Delete recorded TV shows that you won’t watch (or have watched).
The same goes for updating your Netflix queue. I’m definitely guilty of sorting through tons of shows that I’ve lost interest in midway through but haven’t deleted yet. It’s a waste of time and you don’t need it!
14. Sort the mail piled up on your desk.
Is there anyone else who doesn’t like mail? Why is it so scary? Tear off the scarf, go through it and move on. No one needs to mess around on their desk or countertop, and that’s usually mostly spam.
Having a neat, clean, and organized fridge makes a world of difference when you open it up and try to decide what to cook. It gives you a clear picture of what you’re doing and makes it much less overwhelming when trying to plan your meals.
16. Recycle wire hangers and plastic bags still hanging in your closet from the dry cleaner.
No more getting poked or annoyed with warped wire hangers that never seem to stay put when you’re perusing the closet. Or even better, bring your own reusable garment bags so you don’t have to use those made from detergent!
17. Delete photos you don’t need from your iPhone.
The accumulation of photos on my iPhone is truly shocking, but I find it very helpful to take some time each week and delete the photos I don’t need or like and organize them into albums for easy access. .
18. Organize your medicine cabinet and throw away old Rx bottles.
Getting rid of expired drugs is more important than you think! Sort through it and remember what you need. This way, you’ll always know you can rely on what’s in your medicine cabinet and first aid kit and always feel prepared.
19. Clean your makeup brushes.
You don’t even want to know how much bacteria they contain. Whether you have acne or not, this is something you should do weekly. Invest in a great cleaner so it doesn’t feel like a drag. Your skin will thank you for it.
20. Tidy up your drawers by combining socks and folding t-shirts into a nice stack.
Suddenly, you’ll feel like the most organized person ever! I’m a fan of the Marie Kondo method, but thanks to the many great organization tips you can find online, you can find the method that works best for you so it stays nice and tidy. Future.
21. Clean up kiddo’s toys.
Better yet, if they’re big enough, ask little friends for help! A jumbled array of toys and stuffed animals can make a space feel chaotic, but if you have a designated toy bin, it’s easy to collapse all the creatures and return them to the right house. of them.
22. Wipe the guest bathroom
When guests arrive at your door unexpectedly, it can be stressful knowing your home is in less than ideal condition. If nothing else, I always make sure the downstairs bathtub looks classy. A quick scrubbing of the sink, toilet brush, and floor sweep does the trick.
23. Tidy up your jewelry
This is my #1, best organization tip. When I come home from a night out, I’m often too tired to properly store my jewelry. Result? Flawless necklace and missing earrings. Take a few minutes to hang your larger pieces, group your rings together in a small box, and organize your rings in an aesthetically pleasing way — and make things easy to find.
24. Invest in a few mesh laundry bags
If I was washing clothes for the family, the socks would definitely no longer fit them and the kids’ clothes would be difficult to sort through. Dissolution? Prepare yourself for success with a few mesh laundry bags that you can assign to each member of the family. That way you won’t have to ask yourself Whose from whom? never again.
25. Change clothes according to the season
Okay, this quest might take a couple of 5 minute sessions, but stay with me. Take your clothes out of the closet in sections, and with quick judgment, determine which ones are right for the season you’re in and put the rest in the closet to store away until the weather turns chilly. again. That way, you won’t have to sift through all of your fall clothes to find the perfect May outfit.
This post was originally published on April 2, 2020, and has since been updated.
