Incorporating these 5 habits into your life will have a big impact on your home’s organization!
We’re taking a short break from introducing new projects this weekend so you can focus on finishing the ones you’ve already started. Sound good?
I’ve heard from friends that some of the daily “Messy Work” challenges feel hard to keep up with. To be clear: some tasks take only minutes, while others are longer-term projects that may not be completed right away. Both are fine. Decluttering and organizing are processes, not one-time events.
Large projects—like clearing out and reorganizing an entire room—can take weeks or months. Smaller tasks, like cleaning out a purse or tidying a single drawer, can be completed in a day. Your pace will depend on your life, your schedule, and the state of your home. Don’t compare your progress to others. Celebrate small wins and keep moving forward.
5 Habits of Highly Organized People
Here are five practical habits and mindset shifts that make a lasting difference when you’re decluttering and organizing. These are simple, repeatable practices that help you master your things rather than letting your things master you.
1. Everything has a home — if it doesn’t, create one or let it go
The single best habit is to decide where items belong and put them there consistently. If something has been drifting from surface to surface for months, give it a real home or remove it. For example, a paint sprayer that lives on top of the dryer should either have a proper storage spot in the garage or shed, or it should be recycled or donated if you no longer use it. Assigning a specific place for each category of items reduces clutter and mental friction.
2. Build small daily routines and stick to them
Daily disciplines keep a home functioning smoothly. Create a short list of non-negotiable morning and evening tasks—things that immediately improve the flow of your day. My own simple routines include a short morning checklist and an evening reset: load or run the dishwasher, prepare for the day, plan dinner, make a to-do list for tomorrow, and pick up high-traffic areas. Adding tiny habits—like making the bed, wiping kitchen counters nightly, and doing a small load of laundry each day—prevents tasks from piling up. Consistency matters more than intensity.
3. Regularly remove items you no longer need
Letting go is an ongoing effort. Toss old papers, discard broken or low-value toys, and donate items you haven’t used in months. Kids’ papers and small impulse items can multiply quickly, so be intentional about what you keep. Create a donation box and add to it frequently so that decluttering becomes a steady habit rather than an occasional purge. The fewer unnecessary items you keep, the easier it is to maintain order.
4. Ask: does this add order to my life or take away from it?
Before you set something down, pause and ask whether that action adds to your home’s order. Could you walk three more steps to hang your purse in its spot? Will you remember where you left your keys if you drop them on a counter? Choose designated spots for common items—keys, bags, shoes—and make it automatic to return them there. These small choices prevent clutter from spreading and save time hunting for things later.
5. Embrace the mindset: “There’s more where that came from”
One common reason people hold on to stuff is fear—what if I need it someday? Adopting the mindset that “there’s more where that came from” helps you let go of items you haven’t used in years. If you truly need something again, you can usually borrow it or replace it. Releasing this “just in case” clutter frees up space for things you actually value and use.
Bonus reminder: Decluttering and organizing are journeys, not destinations. Avoid getting overwhelmed by doing a little every day. Over time, those small steps become habits that transform how your home functions. Your belongings should support and inspire you, not boss you around. With patience and steady effort, your space will become more functional and more peaceful.
The Messy Work: Review the past week and finish any challenges you missed. Small follow-throughs compound into lasting change.
In the mess with you, Laura
More posts you might enjoy:
- How to Organize a Pantry
- How to Organize a Messy Garage
- Organized Arts & Crafts Storage Ideas
- Under the Bathroom Sink Storage
- How to Declutter Your Home in 5 Simple Steps