The Ultimate Guide to Getting Organized With Your Family

By Pamela Wong

Pamela is a Trained Professional Organizer based in Oakville, Ontario and is the owner of Zen N Organized. She helps homeowners and small business owners transform their homes and home offices into organized spaces. She has a practical, non-judgemental approach to organizing. Her objective is to create functional and harmonious spaces for her clients.

family around the table sharing a meal

Being a busy mom myself, I can relate to the stress of juggling work, family and health.  It is often difficult to find the time and energy to check off your to-do list.

Aside from obligations at work, you are also managing household chores, family activities and school schedules.  You understand that staying organized is essential for creating a harmonious home.  The questions are: “how”, “when”, “where” and “what”.

This guide will help you determine the most common issues, the way to go about it and how to make organizing a collaborative and rewarding experience that can involve the entire family.

When is the Best Time to Get Organized?

1. Recognize the Signs

Understanding when to start organizing often begins with recognizing the signs that your current system isn’t working.

  • Constant Clutter

If you find yourself constantly cleaning up messes or losing important items, it is time to consider getting organized.

  • Stress and Anxiety

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed by daily tasks is a clear indicator that organization could help.

  • Missed Appointments and Deadlines

Regularly missing appointments or forgetting deadlines suggests a need for a more structured approach.

2. Seasonal Transitions

Seasonal changes are natural times to reorganize your home.

  • Spring Cleaning

Spring is synonymous with new beginnings. Use this time to declutter and refresh your home.

  • Back-to-School

As your kids head back to school, it’s a perfect time to reorganize their study spaces and routines.

  • New Year

The start of a new year is an ideal opportunity to set organizational goals and create new habits.

3. Major Life Events

Significant life changes often necessitate a fresh organizational approach.

  • Moving

Moving to a new home is an excellent time to purge unnecessary items and start fresh.

  • New Job or Schedule

A change in work schedule or job can impact your daily routines, making it a good time to reevaluate your organization strategies.

  • Welcoming a New Family Member

Whether it’s a new baby or an elderly relative moving in, a growing family can benefit from updated organizational systems.

 

Where and How to Start?

1. Identify Problem Areas

Start by identifying the areas of your home that cause the most stress or chaos.  The most common areas are:

  • Entryway

This is often the first area to get cluttered with shoes, bags, and coats. Setting up an organized entryway can make a big difference.

  • Kitchen

This is, perhaps, the busiest space in a home.  Getting the kitchen well-organized can streamline meal prep and reduce stress.

  • Kids’ Rooms

Keeping children’s rooms tidy can be challenging, but it’s crucial for their development and your sanity.

  • Home Office

If you are self-employed or if you work from home for part of the workweek, then having an organized office is essential for productivity.

2. Set Realistic Goals By Creating A Plan That Works For You

Develop a detailed plan and ensure that each step includes achievable goals to guide your efforts.

  • Break it Down

Instead of trying to organize the entire house at once, tackle one room or one area at a time.

  • Set Deadlines

Set deadlines according to your timeline. Your timeline may vary depending on your schedule.  You may only have 20 minutes one week, whereas you may be able to squeeze out an entire hour on another week.  Give yourself a deadline for each task and stay on track.

  • List Priorities

Make a list of areas to organize in order of priority.

  • Celebrate Small Wins

Acknowledge and celebrate each area you successfully organize to stay motivated.

*You may also be interested in these:

https://zennorganized.com/decluttering-where-to-start/ 

https://zennorganized.com/decluttering-tips-the-dos-and-donts/ 

 

How to Get Your Family Involved

It is important to have other family members involved.

1. Communicate the Benefits:

Explain to your family why getting organized is important.

  • Reduced Stress

A tidy home reduces stress and creates a more peaceful environment.

  • More Free Time

Being organized means less time spent searching for things and cleaning up, allowing more time for fun activities.

  • Teaches Responsibility

Involving kids in organizing teaches them valuable life skills and responsibility.

2. Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks

Give each family member tasks suited to their age and abilities.

  • Young Children

Simple tasks like putting away toys, sorting laundry, or setting the table.

  • Older Children

More complex tasks like organizing their own rooms, helping with meal planning, or cleaning common areas.

  • Spouse

Collaborate on organizing shared spaces like the kitchen, garage, or living room.

3. Make it Fun

Turn organizing into a fun family activity.

  • Play a Game

Create games or challenges, such as who can tidy up their space the fastest or who can find the most items to donate.

  • Use Music

Play upbeat music to make the task more enjoyable.

  • Offer Rewards

Set up a reward system for completed tasks, like a family outing or a special treat.

4. Establish Routines

Create routines to maintain organization.

  • Daily Habits

Encourage everyone to spend a few minutes each day tidying up their areas.

  • Weekly Check-ins

Have a weekly family meeting to discuss what’s working and what needs adjustment.

  • Seasonal Overhauls

Schedule seasonal organizing sessions to keep the whole house in order.

5. Lead by Example

Model organized behavior to inspire your family.

  • Be Consistent

Show your family that you value organization by maintaining your own spaces.

  • Involve Everyone

Ensure that organizing is a family effort, not just one person’s responsibility.

  • Show Patience

Understand that developing new habits takes time and patience, especially for kids.

By choosing to transform your home from chaos to calm, and to engage your family in the process not only make the journey more manageable, but it also lightens the load and teaches your children valuable life skills and fosters a sense of teamwork.

Embrace the journey to a more organized home and enjoy the benefits of reduced stress, increased productivity, and more quality time with your loved ones. Start today, and watch your home and family thrive in an organized environment.

mother and child drawing on paper, sitting in front of the piano

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The Ultimate Guide to Getting Organized With Your Family