How to Get Organized When You Feel Overwhelmed: 10 Simple Tips
The following contribution comes from Erin Condren’s website, which describes itself as follows: OUR HISTORY
The company was founded in 2005 by Erin Condren as a stationery business operating out of her children’s playroom and has since grown into a leading brand in the organization industry. Its iconic LifePlanner™ has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, and the brand boasts over 1.4 million social media followers, two brick-and-mortar stores, and has been featured in CNN Underscored, Forbes, The New York Times, and many other media outlets. Erin Condren’s best-selling products are also available at select retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, and others.
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How to Get Organized When You Feel Overwhelmed – 10 Simple Tips
We’ve all been there: standing in the middle of a messy room, feeling completely overwhelmed by the chaos around us. As planning experts who have helped thousands of families regain control of their homes through effective organization, we know that stressful feeling when everything seems too chaotic to tackle.
But the truth is, getting organized isn’t about achieving Instagram-worthy perfection. It’s about creating systems that work for your real life, taking control of your environment, even when life feels overwhelming. The impact on your mental health can be transformative: an organized home leads to an organized mind.
How to Start Getting Organized When You Feel Overwhelmed
How to Get Organized When You Feel Overwhelmed – 10 Simple Tips – Drawer Organizers
The secret to overcoming chaos isn’t about doing everything at once, but about taking small, intentional steps that, added together, create big changes. Let’s look at how to get started with these practical tips for when you feel overwhelmed by clutter.
- Make a list of the priority areas that need your attention first.
Start by identifying the areas that cause you the most stress on a daily basis. Writing down all the rooms that need attention can help clear your mind.
Is it the kitchen counter that has become a catch-all for mail and school papers? Or perhaps it’s your home office that makes working from home seem impossible? List these areas in order of priority, creating a master list that will guide your organizing project.
Having a clear focus helps avoid that feeling of being scattered that comes with trying to tackle everything at once.
- Break tasks down into manageable chunks.
Instead of writing “organize the kitchen” on your to-do list, break it down into smaller tasks like “organize the containers,” “organize the pantry shelves,” or “clean the refrigerator.” These small steps are much more manageable and give you the satisfaction of crossing items off your list more often.
Remember that completing small tasks gives you momentum to tackle bigger goals.
- Set deadlines and write them in your planner.
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips: Set deadlines and write them in your planner.
Vague intentions rarely materialize. Choose specific dates for your important tasks and write them in your planner. This simple act of scheduling transforms abstract goals into concrete commitments.
Setting a deadline for each task helps ensure that you actually complete the most important items on your list.
- Focus on one room at a time.
Resist the temptation to jump from room to room. When you commit to organizing one entire room before moving on to the next, you’ll maintain momentum and see visible progress. Start with high-traffic areas, like your workspace: a well-organized desk can immediately improve your daily productivity.
This approach also avoids the common mistake of creating more chaos by scattering items around. At the end of the day, you’ll feel the satisfaction of seeing a completely transformed space.
- Declutter gradually.
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips: Declutter gradually using organizers and space-saving solutions.
The less you own, the less you’ll have to organize. As you work through the process of getting rid of unnecessary items, categorize them into four groups: keep, donate, throw away, and relocate.
Be honest with yourself about what you actually use and love. Remember that getting rid of the superfluous creates space for what truly matters, reducing the mental stress caused by clutter.
- Use a timer or try deep work.
The idea of dedicating an entire day to organizing can be overwhelming. Instead, try the timer technique: set aside 25-minute sessions to focus, followed by short breaks. Using a timer helps you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Or, if you prefer longer periods, set aside 90 minutes of “focused work” to tackle organizing projects without interruption.
- Create a simple organizing system.
The best organizing systems are the ones you actually stick to. The right organizers help you create specific spaces for frequently used items and make those areas easily accessible.
Use clear labels and containers that suit your lifestyle; sometimes, a simple basket works better than a complex filing system. Your organizing system should make your daily tasks easier, not more complicated.
- Aim for functionality, not perfection.
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips: Use functional organizers.
Your home doesn’t have to look like a catalog of storage containers to be organized. Focus on creating systems that streamline your daily routines.
If your morning routine flows smoothly and you can find what you need when you need it, that’s a success! Remember, organizing is about simplifying your life, not adding more stress.
- Involve the whole family.
Getting organized isn’t a solo project, especially when you share your home with others. The right family organization tools can help engage everyone by assigning age-appropriate tasks and creating systems that everyone can follow.
This not only distributes the workload but also helps make your organizing efforts last. Turn organizing into a team effort by creating lists of responsibilities for each family member, from daily chores to meal prep.
- Commit to long-term success.
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips – Commit to long-term success
Staying organized is a habit, not a one-off task. Follow clear maintenance steps, setting aside regular time for it (perhaps 15 minutes each night or a quick weekly review) to prevent the situation from becoming overwhelming again.
These small, consistent actions prevent the need for major organizational changes.
How can I get organized at home when I’m stressed?
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips – Working from home with family stress
When stress is high, getting organized might seem like the last thing you want to do. However, tidying up your home can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
Start with a small, defined space that has an immediate impact on your daily life; for example, your nightstand or the bathroom counter. The confidence boost you get from this small accomplishment can motivate you to tackle bigger projects.
Remember to be kind to yourself during this process. Getting organized isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating systems that contribute to your well-being and make your life easier.
Take breaks when you need them, celebrate small victories, and remember that progress is progress, no matter how small. Every step you take brings you closer to your organizational goals.
Additionally, consider seeking support from friends or family who can offer encouragement and assistance along the way. Sharing your goals can also help you stay accountable and foster a sense of community in your organizing efforts.
Organization Hacks to Save Time During Busy Weeks
How to Get Organized When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed: 10 Simple Tips – Use Pre-Printed Personalized Notepads to Organize and Save Time
When life gets particularly hectic, keeping your home organized can seem impossible. But with a few clever tricks, you can streamline your organizing efforts without sacrificing your precious time.
Start by setting a timer for just 10 or 15 minutes a day. During this brief period of focused work, organize a small area, such as a kitchen drawer or a section of your closet. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time, and this practice keeps clutter at bay.
Another great tip is to adopt the “one in, one out” rule for your belongings. For every new item you bring home, commit to removing an old one. This simple principle not only helps maintain order but also prevents the accumulation of unnecessary items.
Consider creating a quick-access space near the front door where you can place essentials, such as keys, bags, and jackets, so they’re easily accessible when you leave.
Finally, use personalized notepads or wall calendars to organize your tasks and keep track of shopping trips. With these time-saving tricks, you’ll see that maintaining an organized home is not only possible but also enjoyable, even on the busiest days.
Which Erin Condren planner is best for organizing your home?
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips – Home organization planner
Having the right tools makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your home organized. The Home + Sort planner is specifically designed to transform cluttered homes into organized and harmonious spaces.
This comprehensive system includes everything you need to create and maintain order in your home:
Monthly planning pages to schedule organizing tasks
Room-by-room checklists for meticulous organization
Maintenance calendars to keep everything tidy
Inventory tracking for pantry items, cleaning supplies, and more
Sections dedicated to seasonal tasks and deep cleaning
Pages for notes and planning future projects
What sets this planner apart is its practical and systematic approach to home organization. Instead of overwhelming you with complicated systems, it breaks down organizing tasks into manageable steps and provides clear guidance for long-term order maintenance.
Its durable spiral binding and high-quality paper make it perfect for everyday use, while its attractive design transforms planning into a pleasure rather than a chore. Plus, its convenient size allows you to easily carry it from room to room as you tackle different organizing tasks.
Other planners for daily organization and work-life balance
How to get organized when you feel overwhelmed: 10 simple tips – Work-life balance planners
Learn how to use a stress planner and customize the perfect planner for your unique organizational needs in our best-selling collection. From the Erin Condren LifePlanner™, the ultimate planner for personal and professional productivity and organization, to targeted guided planners like the Work-Life Balance Journal and Planner, whatever your goals and areas of your life you want to organize, you’ll find it in our extensive planner collection.
Ready to transform your home from chaotic to organized? Your journey to an organized life starts with the right support. Explore the Home + Sort Organization Planner to discover how this powerful tool can help you create and maintain the organized home you’ve always wanted. Then, browse our organizer collection for the functional and stylish items you need. With the right plan and support, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.
I use this simple 3-step method to organize my never-ending to-do list (How I Stay Organized).
The following contribution comes from Medium, which defines itself as follows: Medium is a space for human stories and ideas. Here, anyone can share knowledge and wisdom with the world, without needing to build an email list or a following. The internet is noisy and chaotic; Medium is quiet but full of valuable ideas. It’s simple, engaging, collaborative, and helps you find the right readers for what you have to say.
Ultimately, our goal is to deepen our collective understanding of the world through the power of writing.
The author is Jono, a sole proprietor and full-time business analyst. Progressive Productivity is weekly writing for 9-to-5 employees who have finished preparing and are ready to get started.
Image by the author
An endless to-do list reduces your productivity.
It makes it difficult to tackle, let alone decide, which task on your list is the most important.
Years ago, when I was in college, I was assigned as the lead for our research group project where we had to create an innovative product and present it to our professors.
I remember feeling incredibly worried and overwhelmed every time I came home, as I also had other assignments due for other courses that semester. That constant feeling of being overwhelmed and the need to constantly react was torture. If I could go back in time, with what I know now, I would have managed my overwhelming to-do list much better. Today, I have a trusted process that helps me deal with complex projects as a business technical analyst on our team.
Over the years, I’ve read dozens of books on productivity, and today I’ll share how I organize my overwhelming to-do list at work as a business analyst and as a writer in my free time.
But before sharing the system, we need to understand the importance of having one.
A smarter way to organize your to-do list
Image by the author
The first thing we need to understand is that our brain isn’t designed to store information.
One of my all-time favorite books is *Getting Things Done* by David Allen. In it, he talks about the danger of having unfinished tasks—that is, unprocessed tasks in your mind. Having unresolved tasks is one of the main causes of feeling overwhelmed; that’s why it’s important to have a list from the start.
Imagine your brain as a glass of water. Every time you th
