If You Do These 10 Things, It’s Time to Get Organized

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You own duplicates

If you aren’t sure what you own, it’s a tell-tale sign you need to get better organized. Perhaps you bought the same sweater as one you already had in your closet, or the same tool you already own. Go through your things and get rid of any duplicates.

You miss appointments

Have you missed any appointments or meetings? If you have no good reason for missing something on your schedule, it may be time to start organizing your calendar. Whether you carry a planner with you, use an online calendar or even write it down on an at-home message board, it makes it easier to keep track of where you should be and when.

You shop—a lot

Perhaps you seem to end up at the grocery store or hardware store more than you’d like. Maybe you’re missing an ingredient or can’t find what you’re looking for, so you just buy a new one. Now is the time to go through your things, do some decluttering and organize your belongings so you can spend less time buying things you don’t need and more time getting projects completed. (Canada’s top organizing experts share helpful hints on how to declutter every room of your home.)

You don’t have a routine

Sometimes we get to a point where we feel there’s too much to do and not enough time to get it all done. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you may just need to organize your time instead of trying to accomplish every task without a plan. Try creating a daily routine so you know what you need to do each and every day.

You lose things

If you’re consistently losing things, such as your wallet or your keys, it may be time to get organized. If you tend to misplace things, try creating designated spots for these items, such as putting a tray by the door to place your keys and wallet every time you get home.

Everyday tasks are problematic

When everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, become problematic, it could be a sign that you need to be better organized. If it takes you a long time to just pick out your outfit, it may be a sign that you have too many clothes. Take some time to get rid of items you no longer need or want—sometimes less is more. (Check out these ways to squeeze more storage out of small spaces.)

You don’t delegate

If you feel like you’re doing it all around the house, you may need to start delegating tasks. Have the kids help out with age-appropriate chores, such as vacuuming, dusting and walking the dog. Have your partner get dinner going while you help the kids with homework or tidy up the living room.

You never declutter

Sometimes clutter can become so overwhelming we don’t know how or where to start. Take some time each week or each month and set a time limit—say 30 minutes to an hour—and use that time to declutter a room. Clean out your bedroom closet or organize your basement workspace and when time is up, you’re done for the day!

You procrastinate

Instead of putting off things you need to do (which can create even more stress), create a list of things you need to accomplish. Whether you start with the big items or the small items, being able to cross them off your list will give you a sense of accomplishment.

You feel shame

If the idea of having people over to your home makes you feel ashamed because your space is messy and cluttered, it is a sign you need to get better organized.

Next, be sure to implement these cleaning tips that actually work!