March 19, 2024
Learn how to be better prepared with simple tips..
Everyone has their own tricks for feeling more on top of things, and while no single method works for everyone, there are plenty of small tips that just might make a difference. Here are a few ideas that may help to get a little more organized.
Create a correspondence corner
Put all greetings cards, postcards and envelopes into a single drawer or box. Add stamps. It’s the perfect way to feel prepared for any occasion.
Try a triple list
Try listing three things you must do: one annoying task (eg, post letter), one uncomfortable one (eg, attend gym class) and one painful one (eg, no sugar). Having three of varying discomfort means you are more likely to do the lesser ones as a way to productively procrastinate on the bigger one.
Sort your boxes
It only takes 10 minutes to tame the plastic container chaos in your kitchen. Dig through that endless supply of mismatched lids and boxes, and recycle what doesn’t belong. You’ll thank yourself next time you’re looking for that one specific lid!.
Set – and communicate – financial boundaries
“It’s important to establish and maintain clear financial boundaries, especially with friends and family,” says Bola Sol, the author of Your Money Life: How to Afford the Future You Want. “Communicate your limits assertively to avoid being pushed into financial commitments that hinder your own goals. This can be as simple as deciding not to lend money unless you’re sure it won’t disrupt your budget, or prioritising your savings over social spending.”
Have a place for your keys
A hook or bowl for keys somewhere convenient avoids almost infinite pain.
The “One-In, One-Out” Rule
When you buy a new piece of clothing consider donating or recycling an old item. You could apply this to anything – kitchen gadgets, or knick-knacks, this rule works wonders for decluttering.
Do a passive wardrobe audit
At the start of the year, turn all your hangers the wrong way round. By the end of the year, if anything still isn’t facing the right way, think about getting rid of it: if you haven’t worn it for a year, you probably won’t miss it.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe—fewer pieces, all coordinated—makes getting dressed a breeze and saves you from drowning in clothing clutter.
The Weekly Declutter Challenge
Pick one room or area of your house every week and spend just 15 minutes decluttering. Whether it’s a bathroom cabinet or the junk drawer, tackling small spaces keeps things manageable—and strangely satisfying.
Keep a Donation Bag Handy
Keep a bag or box in your closet or garage specifically for items you’re ready to donate. Anytime you come across clothes, books, or household items you no longer need, toss them in. When it’s full, drop it off at your local charity shop.
It’s a simple way to declutter gradually, and it saves you from overwhelming clean-out days.
Timer Trick for Tedious Tasks
Set a timer for a task filing or removing unused apps and see how much you can get done. When the timer goes off, you can stop and feel you’ve accomplished something.
Manage your mail
“The key thing is to handle it as soon as it comes into your home,” says professional organiser Rachel Cordingley of the decluttering service A Tidy Mind. “Have a paper recycling bin by the door or letterbox to get rid of all junk mail immediately.” Cordingley also recommends putting an identity protection roller stamp by the door or letterbox – this is a quick way to obscure your personal details on post you want to chuck.
Do dog walk prep
Take poo bags off the roll and open them pre-walk, especially in winter when you’ll be wearing gloves.
Monitor passports
Set a “renew passport” reminder for six months to a year before your and your family members’ passports expire, depending on your travel plans. Also keep digital scans of everyone’s passports somewhere you can easily find them.
Manage subscriptions
This is boring and probably shaming, but so worthwhile. Go through bank statements for any regular payments you don’t recognise or can’t remember and check whether you are still paying subscriptions for things you don’t want or need.
Unsubscribe
Find and use the “unsubscribe” button every time an unwanted email arrives. It’s no inbox zero, but it gradually helps reduce the cognitive noise in life.
Log off your phone
Experts agree that unplugging from technology, even for short periods, can improve focus and overall well-being. Try setting a daily “no-screen” time, whether it’s for meals, before bed, or just while you enjoy a cup of tea.
Take a Digital Detox Day
Scheduling a digital detox helps reset your brain, reduce stress, and gives you time to focus on things that are often neglected in the hustle of everyday life. If a whole day of no phone, no computer, no TV is too much try for half a day or an evening.
Turn off notifications
“Notifications are horrible for your concentration and focus,” says Stefan van der Stigchel, professor of cognitive psychology at Utrecht University and the author of Concentration: Staying Focused in Times of Distraction. “If there’s the possibility of new information, the brain will look for it.” Don’t let your email provider or an app decide what matters.
Build in travel slack
Nothing worse than constantly looking at your watch trying to figure if you are going to get somewhere on time. Build in 10% additional time to the average journey time when factoring when to set off
Consider your digital legacy
Make plans for your digital life after your death so your online accounts are in the hands of someone you trust. Apple users can designate a legacy contact for their Apple ID, and James Norris of the Digital Legacy Association has set up the My Wishes website, where you can create a digital will, free of charge.
Draw up a reusable holiday checklist
Type a printable list of all the things you need. Why try to remember what you need from scratch every time? Instead print off the list, cross out what’s not applicable to this trip and then start to gather it all in. All the main items – pyjamas, toothbrush, coats – have a tick box. It takes a bit of time to set up, but the reduction in stress and not forgetting the passports is worth it. When you return take off what wasn’t used on the trip.
Book holidays early
You’ll get better rates, more choice, and you can spread the pain of payment.
Master stain removal
Nancy Birtwhistle’s Green Living Made Easy (a treasure trove of ways to feel like a functioning adult, sustainably) is full of stain removal magic. Her teaspoon of eco washing-up liquid combined with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, rubbed in with an old toothbrush, is great for sun cream, fake tan and makeup stains.
Meal Prep
Set aside an hour or two on the weekend to prepare meals or even just chop vegetables for the week ahead. This small prep can save you time and stress when the week gets busy. If you are cooking fresh food, do the prep in the morning then cooking in the evening is less arduous.
Freeze for the Future
If you cook something like lasagne or a casserole, make an extra batch and freeze it. Having a few frozen meals on hand is a real-time saver when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something hearty.
Learn to Say “No”
Sometimes, the best way to stay on top of things is by not overcommitting. It’s easy to say yes to every request but now allow yourself to decline. It can be liberating.
Start a “Done” List
Instead of a to-do list, keep a ‘done’ list, where you write down all the things you have accomplished that day.
Sometimes we focus too much on what we haven’t done. A “done” list gives you a boost of satisfaction and lets you see just how much you’ve achieved—no matter how small.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
At the end of a day or week write down some things you are grateful for. A gratitude journal helps put things in perspective and keeps stress at bay. It’s a simple habit that can have a big impact on mental well-being. It’s interesting to look back at what we have written previously.
Habit stack
This – in essence, is combining a habit you already have with one you want – comes from the optimiser’s bible, James Clear’s Atomic Habits; I didn’t realise I was doing it when I put my vitamin D spray next to the teabags, but it really works.
Try the ‘Sunday basket’
There’s a whole philosophy and kit around the “Sunday basket”, but drilled down to its basics, I like the idea: dump everything you need to deal with in one basket, then tackle it at a fixed time on Sunday.
Sign up to give blood (if you can)
UK stocks are critically low at the moment. Signing up online at blood.co.uk takes five minutes, and nothing makes you feel more purposeful and worthwhile than giving a pint.
Label stuff in storage
This is very simple but can prevent a lot of wasted time and frustration: when packing things away (clothes, bedding, etc) use clear bags so you can easily see what is inside. If you need to use cardboard boxes, make a note of the contents on the outside in black felt pen.
Accept you’ll never get your life together – and that’s OK
Author Oliver Burkeman’s new book Meditations for Mortals is all about embracing “imperfectionism”. Allow yourself to imagine, he says, that you’ll never actually sort your life out. “Never fully get on top of your work, never become a really disciplined exerciser or healthy eater … always feel behind with email.” It might feel bad initially, “but then comes the sense of a heavy burden having been lifted. The pressure’s off.”
If nothing else, we can all try that.
If you have any tips, we would love to know about them, or if you do a variation of any we have suggested.
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