Over the years, I’ve noticed that my room gets messier as I get more stressed. Reasons include not having the time or energy to clean up after myself, falling right into bed after long days at work, or generally being a lot messier and less aware of myself when I’m stressed out. And I know this is the complete opposite of what should happen—stressful times call for more organized and orderly environments to get things done faster.
Millennials like myself will agree: old-school organization tricks don’t always fit into our lifestyles. We’re a driven generation and we like mundane things like cleaning to be quick and easy because we’re busy trying to change the world and grow ourselves. But I also think sometimes we need to stop, take a look around us, and consider that our environment, our rooms and our homes, can help us be better and achieve our goals. Seems a bit far-reaching just for a few organization tips? Try working in a clean room and you know where to find everything you need, where you can relax without looking at a mess—trust me, your productivity will thank you.
So whether it’s your office desk, your room, or your flat, here’s how to keep your space organized:
Set Manageable Goals
Your room isn’t going to magically clean itself up in a flash. But if you’re dead-set on getting it close, take things one step at a time. Maybe start with your closet and work your way around the space, or spend a few minutes every day cleaning up whatever you can. Personally, I make sure that every month I clear my dresser of unused makeup and empty bottles because it’s the messiest part of my room. This also helps me keep track of all the stuff I own and what I need to restock!
Identify Your Essentials
What items can’t you live without? All my desks have jars for medicine and vitamins, whether it’s my office desk or the one in my room. I get sick from stress easily and I get stressed out by work a lot, so having medicine at arm’s length is so much more convenient than a medicine cabinet. Knowing your personal needs is so important when you’re arranging things and spaces. It can make your daily life so much easier because with the little inconveniences taken care of, you can focus on your big goals.
Make It a Routine
“CLAYGO” (Clean As You Go), they call it. So you’ve cleaned your space and organized your things—you need to keep them that way! When I’m really busy I get too lazy or preoccupied to even walk to the trash bin and end up leaving empty food wrappers around. Sometimes I also leave piles of clothes on the bench in my closet when I’m rushing in the morning and can’t decide what to wear. But no matter how busy and tired I am, all my trash and clothes have to be in their proper places before I step out of my room or away from my desk. Simple things like this go a long way when you’re trying to stay organized!
Invest in Smart Storage
I don’t necessarily mean downloading apps or having devices, although those do exist. I don’t mean spending an arm and a leg for modular storage systems either. Rather, explore new ways to organize your things based on your needs and what’s new. I use clear acrylic storage for my makeup because it’s so much easier to find what I need, compared to trunk cases or pouches. Also, since my cables and adapters are always a mess and I can never be bothered to wind them one by one, I dump them in medium-sized bins categorized by type/gadget. What works for most people may not be smart for you—I tried labeling my cables, I tried those separators you stick to desks, but the bins work best for me. So just know how you live and behave, and find ways to stay organized.
I hope I’ve given you ideas on how to make your spaces better and more organized! Sometimes it still proves to be a struggle for me, but I do my best. Or at least, I try to catch up. If you have any other useful tips, I’d love to hear them!
