Being organized is more than merely keeping things neat and tidy. It’s also the ability to plan things well and work effectively so you can concentrate on things that matter. Being organized offers plenty of benefits, from lowering your stress levels and helping you sleep better to increasing your productivity and providing you with feelings of empowerment and a sense of control. As such, it pays to stay organized, especially if you’re a mother with a lot on your plate.

While keeping yourself organized between carpools, taking care of the kids, and managing the household can be challenging, the good news is that the process can become more manageable with the right mindset and proper strategies. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to keep various areas of your life organized, but you don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’ve been struggling to stay organized and are hoping to make a change. Either way, this short guide will discuss practical ways busy mothers like you can stay organized and bring order to your daily life.

Arrange Your Clothes into Categories

Instead of merely placing all your clothes inside the closet, consider arranging them into categories. Have a section for items you often wear, like t-shirts, sleeveless blouses, leggings, and jeans, and create a separate space for dressier and more formal pieces. You can further organize each category by color, type of material, or type of garment, or group them together so that it will be easier for you to select and mix and match clothing pieces even when you’re pressed for time.

Apply the same organizing technique to your kids’ clothes. You can use boxes or containers for every clothing category, such as underpants, shorts, shirts, and socks. With this simple adjustment, you can save time and energy looking for what you need and preparing your children’s clothes.

Create a To-Do List

Consider writing a to-do list before retiring at night so you can prioritize your tasks, prepare yourself, and manage your schedule in advance. Keep in mind that unless you have a clear picture of what you need to accomplish, it’s easy to forget and waste energy on not-so-necessary things, especially during a hectic day.

However, it’s worth pointing out that making a to-do list is hardly valuable unless you follow through. That’s why you may want to keep your to-do list realistic and doable. Focus on priority tasks and organize them in a way that allows you to save time, energy, or both. For instance, if you’re planning to pick up some groceries, you can consider doing this after dropping your children off at school or after running other errands. This way, you can make the most of that single trip.

Plan and Prep Your Meals

You can also make mealtimes more stress-free, more manageable, and more pleasant by planning your meals ahead of time. For example, consider spending a few minutes of your Saturday night figuring out your menu items for the rest of the week and then planning your grocery trips accordingly.

If you want to save more time and money, consider prepping your ingredients all at once, placing them in individual containers with proper labels, and freezing them. You can also cook your meals in bulk and store them in serving portions in the freezer for reheating at a later time. Not only can prepping your meals in advance help you stay organized in the kitchen, but it can also help you serve healthier and better-quality meals to your family.

Tidy Up Before Going to Bed

Try to incorporate a night cleaning routine in your daily activities to keep your home clean and in order. After all, you can do a lot more in a short amount of time when the kids are safely tucked in bed. Tidying up before going to bed can also make your mornings more peaceful and relaxing, as you’ll wake up in an organized and clean home instead of feeling stressed out with all the mess and clutter. Here are several things you can include in your nightly cleaning routine:

  • Put toys, throw pillows, and other items back in their proper places.
  • Sweep the floor or use a handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of dirt and dust in your living spaces.
  • Wash and dry the dishes, and wipe the kitchen counter.
  • Pack and freeze leftovers.
  • Segregate and throw the trash properly.

Wake Up Early

Getting an early head start is one of the best strategies to stay organized and in control of your busy day. As such, you may want to try waking up at least half an hour before your kids get up so you can enjoy some quality “me time” early in the morning and start your day on the right foot.

Shower, dress up, and drink coffee while listening to music or an inspirational podcast. Or maybe you can take a brief walk, do light stretches, or meditate. Such pleasures may seem simple, but they can certainly boost your mood and energy, and put you in the right frame of mind to tackle a busy day.

These are just some of the things you can do to keep yourself organized while juggling the numerous responsibilities of motherhood. Whether you follow these strategies to the letter or modify them according to your needs and situation, the essential thing is to establish structure in your life. That way, you can manage your schedule, complete your daily tasks with less stress, and have more time for things that matter most.