Every January, we hear it: “This is the year I’m going to get organized!”
And we love that energy - truly! ✨
But here’s the honest truth we see over and over again as professional organizers: An organized home isn’t something you wish for and *poof*, it appears. It is a dedication to a change in habits.
You don’t stay organized because you bought matching bins or labeled everything once (although that's a great start!). You stay organized because the way you think, shop, and reset your space has shifted.
Organizing overall can feel a bit overwhelming, so let’s talk about the habits that actually make a home stay organized.
Habit #1: Stop Aiming for “Picture Perfect”
This might be the biggest mindset shift you'll need to make. Yes, an organized home can look aesthetic, but it won't look like a magazine spread at all times.
What an organized home really looks like includes:
Knowing where things live
Being able to reset a space quickly
Having systems that work for your real life
It's more important to have a space that works for you that isn't a home magazine feature than one that looks pretty but doesn't help you at all.
Habit #2: Give Everything a Home
Clutter isn’t just about having too much stuff. Sometimes, it's about having too many items that don't have a "home".
When something doesn’t have a clear place to live, it becomes a pile. Or a mess on the counter. Or a chair that never actually gets sat in because it's overflowing with things.
When you're sorting through your items, ask:
Where will this live?
Is that space already full?
When will I use this next?
If you don't have an answer to any of those questions, chances are you might not need that item anymore.
Habit #3: Edit What Comes In, Not Just What Goes Out
Decluttering once a year feels productive, but it won’t last if your shopping habits stay the same. Especially with Amazon and other click-to-buy platforms that get you your purchases in a matter of hours, this can really be a powerful habit if you embrace it.
Pause before purchasing and ask:
Do I already own something like this?
Am I buying this for my current life or my “fantasy” life? (ex. that purse you love but will never use)
Will this add value or add maintenance to my life?
Remember: Less coming in = less to manage.
Habit #4: Reset Small and Reset Often
You don’t need a full Saturday to stay organized. You need consistent small time intervals:
5 minutes to reset the kitchen before bed
10 minutes to straighten the entryway
A quick weekly sweep of clutter hot spots
Small resets prevent big overwhelm, so attach resets to routines you already have (after dinner, before work, Sunday evenings) for easy integration.
Habit #5: Organize Based on How You Actually Live
This one is HUGE.
If your system only works when you’re highly motivated, well-rested, and not distracted, it’s not realistic.
Your home should support:
Busy mornings
Messy seasons
Changing routines
If it doesn't, your current systems aren't working as well as they could be. Set up systems that actually match your natural tendencies, not the pretty Pinterest board.
The Bottom Line
Getting organized isn’t about willpower or being born a "naturally organized person"; it's about habits that you can cultivate over time.
When you stop saying “I’m trying to be organized” and start building habits that support an organized life, everything starts to change.
You are fully capable of doing this yourself, but if you want help creating systems that actually work for your home and needs, that’s where we come in! You can inquire to book your project here, or check out our virtual masterclasses to get started immediately.
Here’s to a lighter, calmer, more organized year - one habit at a time!