5 Non-Physical Ways to Get Your Life Organized

When you think about getting organized, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? An orderly closet? A perfectly curated pantry? A tidy desk with a just-so filing system? Did you know that organizing your non-physical life—such as your digital files, your calendar and your finances—might be just as important as bringing order to your physical possessions? Let’s jump in and explore some of the non-physical ways you can bring the beauty of organization to your life starting right now!

#1: Declutter & Systematize Those Frenzied Digital Files

When it comes to digital files, clutter can really pile up quickly. Initially, it feels like these areas don’t need to be organized because you can run a search. However, the more random files (and photos) you keep, the harder it will be to find what you’re looking for. I recommend you think about your digital files as if they were physical files and group them accordingly. It’ll make it easier for you and your family members to find what you need. It’ll also ensure that you’re not storing dated information that’s no longer needed and cluttering up all that storage space with unnecessary reference materials. I suggest a monthly audit and an annual clear out—even if it’s just to group things together by chronology. Financial files in particular are important to keep together with the correct year to avoid stress at tax time. Shared cloud files of important information can go along way toward family harmony, as well as ensuring you’re prepared for emergencies.

#2: Assess & Purge Those Overabundant Phone Apps

If your phone looks anything like mine, you have a bunch of unused apps that you downloaded and maybe used once or twice to get a discount or make a one-time purchase. Deleting unused apps is a great way to free up space in your phone as well as reduce the visual clutter every time you glance at your device. Next time you’re waiting at the school pick up or in line at the grocery store just pick one category on your phone and clear out any apps you haven’t used in a while. Doing this a couple of times a month will make a big difference. It also makes it easier for you to find what you need when you don’t have to wade through a sea of logos to find the app you’re looking for.

#3: Pause & Clear That Chaotic Personal Calendar

Now here’s where it gets really tough! Decluttering your personal calendar can mean removing outdated reminders or recurring events. But it probably also means making decisions about your actual time use. Be vigilant about checking your calendar at the beginning of each month and week to note transportation needs and event preparation (such as gifts to purchase, uniforms to clean, etc.) Block unavailable dates on your calendar as soon as you have a personal appointment, and be sure to include enough margin for travel time. Make sure you’re communicating on a regular basis with other family members or team members at work so that everyone’s events have been slotted into the calendar before new things get added. Try avoiding too many calendar reminders if possible because they just clutter up your inbox. Be as realistic as possible about what can actually be accomplished in a day and leave margin for the unexpected whenever possible.

#4: Ask About & Pick Those Paperless Auto-Payments

If you’re not on board yet with auto payments for your regular bills, it’s time to get this set up. You know you’re going to pay these regular recurring bills whether they are utilities, rent/mortgage, mobile phone, car payments, insurance, etc. Get it scheduled, put it on auto pay, and if possible, make those reminders paperless. This will reduce the amount of clutter coming into your physical mailbox—bonus, if you organize your email inbox appropriately, you’ll be able to double check those reminders against your monthly budget. Auto pay is a fantastic tool as long as you keep an eye on things—especially over the summer with vacation irregular schedules, to make sure you don’t miss any payments and that the amounts match your statements. Catching errors sooner rather than later allows for less stress on your finances and fewer headaches in the long run.

#5: Plan Out & Prioritize Those Great Personal Goals

Organizing your goals and plans isn’t just for your work life! Personal goals and long-term projects deserve the same level of attention you would give to an important project at work. Our lives are made up of moments and routines that add up to a big impact. Get some clarity by using a tool such as a bullet journal or goal tracker to make sure that best of your time and energy are going toward the things that really matter to you in your life. Organizing involves recognizing your limits and choosing the best among available options for your space, time, energy, and money. In fact, some of the other things I’ve discussed in this post will fall into place with a little more clarity about what’s most important.

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Cheers,

Karina