Admit it - you've always dreamt of being one of those super organised people.
You know the type - the ones that always have everything under control, even at 6am in the morning. Those mystical humans that wake up calm, get the kids ready, serve breakfast, dress themselves in an outfit that doesn't suggest insanity, and proceed to walk out the door, calm - no sign of stress or sugar puff stains in sight.
Becoming one of those people is easier than you may think. By adopting and repeating a few new habits, you'll train your body and mind to do things organised people do automatically.
Try these 10 things exceptionally organised people do before bedtime today, and you'll be waking up and strutting out the door more calmly than you ever thought possible.
1. Check your calendar every night
Organised people always know what they've got on tomorrow.
Once you've had dinner and a chance to sit down, check your calendar. You'll not only be able to get into the right mindset for the day ahead, but you'll also know what's needed to make it a success.
No more forgotten lunches, important documents or missed appointments!
2. Organised people pack their bags at night
Once you know exactly what you've got on the next day, you'll be in a better position to get your bag(s) ready.
Get your gym kit ready, pop your snacks in the front pocket, and perhaps throw in a change of shoes or an extra layer - organised people are always prepared, so pack anything you might need.
3. Make tomorrow's lunch before going to bed
Going to need a packed lunch tomorrow?
Finding the motivation to pack tomorrow's lunch when you're feeling tired and worn out isn't easy, so make it a habit!
Whilst the rice for your dinner is boiling, or the broccoli is steaming, start prepping for the day ahead.
Make your salad, sandwich or soup and put it in a container at the front of the fridge so it's ready to grab in the morning. It will save you so much time and you'll feel oh so organised the next day. If you want to get even more organised, start meal prepping regularly.
4. Clean the dishes before you go to bed
Cleaning the dishes before you go to bed is the last thing you'll feel like doing, but you won't regret it come morning. After all, pots and pans are more difficult to clean the longer they are left!
The last thing you need when you're trying to sort breakfast in the morning is a leftover mess from the night before. Clean the dishes before you head to bed, and you'll only have a bit of new mess to deal with come morning.
5. Organised people check the fridge for supplies
Super organised people are always planning ahead.
Check the fridge before you leave the kitchen, and you'll know what supplies to pick up (if any) for tomorrow's supper.
This will avoid you having to rush out to pick bits and bobs up after work, and mean less of those miserable-looking mid-week dinners made from scraps.
6. Why you should write a to-do list
To-do lists are organised people's best friends.
Once you've checked the fridge, you'll know if you need to pick anything up. If you do, pop that on your list. Also add any other errands such as 'take shoes to the cobbler', 'ring the Gas company', etc.
Once you've discovered the magic of being organised, nothing will be left to the last minute again!
7. Plump cushions & tidy the living room daily
Make your living room as organised as you are.
Before you head to bed for the night, have a quick tidy of the living room.
Gather mess into clutter baskets, reposition furniture, and plump cushions for a living room that feels calm and collected, just like the new you.
8. Put your clothes away before you go to bed
Organised people don't have messy floors - fact.
Before you hop into bed, take a glance around the floor. If you've chucked today's clothes on the floor, your gym bag is spilling out, or your shoes are scattered by the door, it's time to tidy. Hang clean clothes back in your wardrobe and put dirty ones into the wash.
A quick two minutes is all you need to get your room looking and feeling zen, ready for the day ahead.
9. Organised people wash clothes at night
Could some of those clothes that were scattered around the floor really do with a wash? Now is the perfect time.
Look through your laundry, add any additional pieces of clothing flung around the home, and pop a wash on.
If you time it just right, you can hang the clothes out to dry on an airer just before bed.
10. Get your outfit ready
The final thing all organised people do before bed is get tomorrow's outfit ready.
Now you know exactly what you've got planned, you'll be able to pick something practical. Allowing yourself time to do this in the evening rather than morning will also avoid those 'thrown together' looks.
Hang it all up ready to go and you'll be able to start tomorrow right.
You'll sleep so much better once you start adopting these habits organised people do before bed.
I feel more organised already! How do you get ready for the day ahead?
All sound advice and shows that it only takes a little effort to be more organised. I also set out breakfast bowls, cups etc the night before, check that the coffee machine is ready to go and put dog biscuits in clean bowls. If I know that I need to be as quick as possible in the morning, I also line up all beauty products in order in the window to avoid rummaging in the cupboard. Ditto for a quick makeup routine. My bag, keys and anything else I need will be lined up on the table. I add reminders to my phone calendar for absolutely anything I must do including phone calls, errands, letters, and things to check or order. I add items that are getting low to my shopping list immediately and take that list with me every day and call in for items wanted if I pass any relevant shops en route. This one sounds OCD, but I also keep an ongoing list for birthdays and Christmas and buy suitable gifts (especially if on offer!) as soon as I see them, then update the list. No last minute scrabbling before events! So much in life we can't plan or predict, but these, for me, help me to keep on top of chaos!
Hi Jules. Wow, you really do sound organised! I bet you never forget anything at all. I particularly like the Christmas and Birthday idea - brilliant. Thanks for sharing with us :)
who are these organised people, Oh my God, do they live in the real world a little bit of chaos is good for you, makes you stronger !
Hi Mary. Chaos is certainly a challenge - each to their own I suppose! :)
Haha! Parts of my life seem like total chaos but I have to balance that with things that I can control and can be organised. I'm far from perfect and have a messy spare room 'dumping ground' but day to day, I need some order.
ooohhh I have a full spare room in my house, not a dumping ground on my part. I do my laundry at night, 1 load in the washing machine and 1 load in the dryer. We just don't have enough room in this house at all. I must admit I do not go to bed and leave dirty pots in the sink to be washed , nothing worse for me. I don't put anything out for morning, apart from the x 2 mugs, kettle filled ready. But I am NOT the best or most tidiest. I do have a calendar with appointments written in so I know when I am going., and where. I also think its each to their own. What suits one family is not going to suit another family.
Hi Audrie. It sounds like you are doing pretty well! You make an excellent point about different things working for different families - it's about finding balance I think :)
I always attempt to do most of the 10 tips but others in my house put all these things off always saying they'll do it later. Which means its not done unlrless I do it all myself. I can't tidy my house if others' are to lazy to help.
That's a shame, Gemma! Maybe you could put together a cleaning rota to encourage others to be proactive? If the people you're describing are your kids, maybe you could try holding off the wifi password or banning them from doing something they enjoy (screen time or video games) until they have completed the tasks that you've asked? It's only fair that they help you out!
i do all those things except the following...with reasons 1.i never go to bed or go out while my washer or dryer is going. reasons are 2... my brothers wife used to do her washing at night as we all did once automatics came on the scene (i am 76 and after i got married my first washing machine was my own hands. then someone gave me a top loader with electric wringers(a lot of you wont have ever seen one except maybe in a museum.lol) one night my brother woke to the smell of smoke. got his wife up and went to find out what it was. their washing machine had caught fire. was just luck that he woke up when he did. 2 because of that i wont go out or to bed leaving anything electrical plugged in except fridge freezer and chest freezer not happy doing that either but have no choice. wont even leave slow cooker on. 2.dryer. mines a convector dryer. apart from the above reason re washer and all electric appliances. i find if clothes are left in the dryer after they are dry they are really badly creased. i have disabilities which prevent me from standing very long and doing ironing . so i prefer to do it in the daytime. if i wwere working it would be done on my days off anyway. but if you take your clothes out while still pretty warm, the hotter the better, they wont be creased can be hung or folded straight away and take up less room in cupboards or drawers. i do make sure to only buy non cotton things apart from towels. sheets are a mix. this does not work with pure cotton items.
Hi Doreen! We can understand why you wouldn't feel comfortable leaving your washer or dryer on. It must be horrible to think what could have happened if they didn't wake up by chance. Well done on doing all of the other things on the list though!
I agree with Doreen - after all these electrical fires I never go to bed leaving them on either. Better safe than sorry.
That is the sensible thing to do, Susan! Thanks for getting in touch.
This was going to be my comment - I'd never leave something going that could catch fire, and also as Doreen says, by morning your dried clothes would be a heap of creases!
If any man lived like this I would never date him much less live with him.
Being exceptionally organised is definitely not for everyone, Christine. I love a bit of (organised) chaos myself!
Have to agree with Doreen Ross dryers and washing machines are a major cause of fire in houses - would never leave a dryer on unattended. I tend to put my clothes on a clothes horse to dry or if I can hang them outside (Clothes smell much nicer,seems to expend their lifespan and is environmentally friendly). The plan with being organised sounds achievable if you work a 9-5 Monday to Friday job. Can you please tell me how you manage to do this if you are working 12+ hours shifts, days and nights, add in working weekends etc? Sounds like you need a lot of support from family?
Hi Pauline! This much organisation is definitely not suitable for everyone. That said, these are the kind of things we all need to do at some point or another (washing, cooking etc), so we can't put them off forever! Maybe kick-starting a bit of organisation in between a busy work schedule will help to keep on top of it. You could pick just one thing off of the list to work into your routines so it's less daunting?
I won't do washing at night because I live in a flat and I don't think my neighbours would appreciate the noise. As already pointed out there is also the fire risk.
I'm lucky it's just the two of us now. I remember what it was like with teenagers. Two step children (one that resented me) and my own two children. Working a full week with enforced overtime. It's bliss now. Everyone has their own routine. What works for one does not work for another. There's lots of good tips there .
Hi Swirls! Glad you enjoyed them and are now getting your routine back.
We set the washing machine to turn on early in the morning as we have cheaper electricity then. Then it can be hung out to dry in the morning.
That's a fantastic idea, Lucy! Who knew this could be such a great money-saver too?!
Please don't use washing machine or tumble dryer late at night early morning if you live in a flat, particularly if it is in a converted house. The noise disturbes others sleep. In our house it is not permitted after 9:00pm.
Very good point!
There's no need for "clutter baskets" if you live by the mantra: "Don't put it DOWN, put it AWAY".
Very true, Janie - but easier said than done!
If only ! But it’ll never happen I’m afraid. I’m nearly 80 and have some parts of my life sort of organised, the rest is mostly “do it when it needs doing” . I work from home still, but trying to do it on a reduced basis, with a more than full time stock, but that part of my life is ultra organised, tho probably organised chaos to an outsider! I love it and whatever leaves the house leaves with the utmost care…the rest? Household chores…do occasionally! Cooking = mainly ‘cheat’ cookery and the occasional Uber Eats! Things like a tidy home vanished years ago! My sons are pretty organised - one almost OCD…probably a reaction to his Mother!
It sounds like you've found a system that works perfectly for you, balancing work, home, and family life in a way that brings you joy and efficiency. Embracing "organised chaos" and letting go of the need for a perfectly tidy home can save time for more important things. And it's lovely that your sons have their own sense of organisation.