10 Tips to Maintain Long-Term Organization

When life becomes very busy, organization often becomes a low priority on an overflowing to-do list. Most of the time, it’s not intentional. As we focus on other commitments, clutter simply has a way of accumulating until it becomes an insurmountable mountain. The thought of tackling the mess might seem daunting, but the stress that comes with living in a disorganized home can be even more overwhelming. Fortunately, there are practical steps that you can take to prevent this from happening to you. I have shared 10 tips to maintain long-term organization below. Keep reading to learn how you can lead a more balanced life and reclaim your time at home!

1. Use a Calendar

Over the years, I have found that the most effective tip for staying organized is to use a calendar consistently. It might sound simple enough, but sometimes it is easier said than done when you have a busy schedule. 

To get into the habit of it, you can start by putting important tasks that need to be completed monthly, quarterly, and every 6 months on your calendar. Most digital calendars have an option to set a recurring task, which means that you only have to set it up once for it to show all year long. Don’t forget to set reminders, too!

If you use a paper calendar, be sure to write down the next time that you want to do a task once you have completed it. Whether it's cleaning out the fridge, emptying your paper shredder, or giving your pets medication, having these tasks scheduled on your calendar will help you make sure that you don’t forget to do them.

2. Plan Ahead for Meals

Scheduling your meals every week will prevent the stress of coming home from work and deciding what to fix and getting the question every night.   Put the menu on the fridge and then everyone will know what to expect. 

Scheduling your meals weekly can also save you time and stress. When you know what you’re going to cook ahead of time, you can avoid the nightly scramble of coming home from work and trying to figure out what to make after a long day. It will also prevent you from overbuying and having to make frequent trips to the grocery store. 

I recommend creating a written menu for the week and putting it on the fridge, so that your entire family will know what to expect. There’s nothing more exhausting than having to answer the question, “What’s for dinner?” a thousand times in one week!

3. Teach Your Kids Good Habits

While using a calendar and meal planning can become part of your routine, you and I both know that it is more challenging to adopt new habits when you’ve been doing things a certain way for a long time. You can help your kids develop strong organization habits by teaching them to purge and donate their toys from a young age. The earlier you start, the easier it will be for them to stay organized throughout their lives. 

Ask your kids to go through their toys with you on a quarterly basis (especially before birthdays and holidays) and identify any that they no longer use. By doing this regularly, you not only declutter your home, but also teach your children the importance of generosity and giving to those in need. 

4. Use Closet Donation Bags

Clothing is another item that should be revisited often to keep your closets from overflowing. You can keep a bag in each family member’s closet and encourage them to set aside clothing that no longer fits or that they no longer want. Once a month, gather up the contents and donate them to charity. This is a great way to get both adults and kids into the habit of regular purging and giving back to their community.

5. Do an Annual Closet Audit

In addition to monthly clothing donations, it’s a good idea to set aside time once a year to go through your closet and assess the contents more thoroughly. Check for items that are damaged, missing, or no longer needed. Do your gloves have matches and do all of your hats still fit? If the answer is “no,” that means it’s time to donate or throw them away. 

This is also a great opportunity to make sure that your closet is organized in a way that makes it easy to find what you need. As you sort through each item, ask yourself if it would be better suited somewhere else. For example, perhaps you don’t wear sweaters often. You could move them to the top shelf of your closet to make more room below for the clothing that you wear all the time. The most important part of reorganizing your closet is making sure that every item is accessible and has a place where it belongs.

6. Purge Seasonal Decorations 

It’s easy for seasonal decorations to get out of control, too, if you aren’t purging on a regular basis. However, your taste and surroundings have likely changed over time, and so have decorating styles. At each holiday, take the time to go through your decorations. Discard any items that no longer work, and donate items that you no longer use. By periodically reassessing your holiday decor, you can keep your home fresh and clutter-free.

7. Check Medications Regularly

As important as it is to purge seasonal decorations, it is even more important to check your medications each season to ensure they haven't expired. Medications with active ingredients, like sunscreen and cold and flu remedies, lose their effectiveness over time. By staying on top of expiration dates, you can feel confident that your medicine cabinet is stocked with items that will actually work when you need them.

8. Schedule Maintenance Days

While seasonal purges will work wonders for your household organization, some of you may find that tackling these tasks on a quarterly basis is still very overwhelming. It can also be helpful to schedule regular “maintenance days” throughout the year for larger organizing projects and deep cleaning. Set aside one day each week or month to focus on decluttering a specific area of your home, such as the garage, attic, or basement. Don’t forget to put it on your calendar! Use this time to sort through belongings, purge items you no longer need, and reorganize storage spaces to optimize efficiency and accessibility.

9. Be Mindful of New Purchases

Scheduling regular maintenance days can be extremely helpful in a busy household, but there is actually an even simpler solution to help you keep clutter at bay. Before buying new items, take a moment to consider whether you truly need or value them, and whether they align with your long-term goals and priorities. Avoid impulse buys and trendy items. Instead, focus on investing in high-quality items that will last and serve a genuine purpose for years to come. 

10. Implement a "One In, One Out" Rule

Another way to prevent clutter from accumulating over time is to establish a "one in, one out" rule for new purchases. Whenever you purchase or acquire a new item, commit to donating or recycling another item that you no longer need or use. This simple but effective rule will help you  avoid the chaotic clutter that you have worked so hard to eliminate, so that you can maintain long-term organization throughout your home.

You may not be surprised to find that these tips for long-term organization will help you be more productive and less stressed at home. Try incorporating them into your routine to streamline your daily to-dos and save more time for the things that you enjoy. If you need some help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. We can help you find the peace of mind that comes with a well-balanced and organized life!