How to live a positive, organized life

Well, the first month of the new year is over as of midnight. How did every one do with their resolutions?

I know I’ve been M.I.A. but I have been holding up to my ~~resolution~~ goal (goals are way more attainable). There’s been a ton of purging, donating and organizing in the areas of my home and life! And let me tell you, it feels pretty damn good!

I have read a few articles and consulted with my friend, Lauren of Organized for Life, on how to exactly tackle these two areas. I knew it needed to happen asap in my life.

My life and home were holding onto a lot of unnecessary things. Things that don’t allow for the positive energy to be flowing through my home and life. So once Christmas break came and we headed into the new year, I decided it was time to officially tackle these two areas.

Here are 5 ways I’ve taken to live a positive, organized life

Organize and purge one room at a time.

If you’re anything like me, you might start with a closet and then you go to put things in the proper place and you start tackling that closet or room and before you know you’re whole house is in shambles. Don’t. do. this.

I started with my bedroom first. This is one area of your home where it should feel like a sanctuary. I went through my closet and made some piles. A pile for definitely donating (clothes and shoes), a pile of clothes I rotate regularly and then a pile for “maybe I’ll wear it someday” (which ended up in the donating pile eventually). Here’s what you need to remember. Get rid of those “maybe someday” clothes or your “skinny day” jeans. Why do we want to try to fit into jeans we wore almost 5-10 years ago?! Go by a nice new pair that fit you perfectly now! And, if you happen to lose weight? Fabulous! Go buy a new pair in that size. Stop holding onto the past. Move on.

Next go onto your drawers and do the same thing. Before I knew it, I had 4 bags of clothes and shoes being donated and about 20 items listed on Poshmark (which is one of my favorite apps to sell clothes and shoes on). If you can make some money on items, definitely do so.

Don’t forget your living room, family room and kitchen. Once I was in the mode, I literally was throwing out stuff left and right. And let me tell you, it. felt. amazing! I’m still trying to figure what to do with old photos (why are we holding onto exes is beyond me) but they’re all now in a box and out of sight for now.

Make your bed. Every. Single. Day.

I’m sure you’ve read this and swear by it or you may think it’s coo-coo do. But, I swear by it. When I was going through a rough time, almost two years ago now, one thing my therapist said to me was, “make your bed”. I thought he was nuts. At this time of my life I didn’t make my bed. I didn’t feel like doing anything, speak to anyone or even leave the house. But he explained to me, that if you make your bed, you had at least accomplished one thing for the day.

So I took his advice and here we are, almost two years later, and I make my bed every.single.day! It is such a gratifying feeling every day and there isn’t a day that I don’t. It will start your day off on the right foot.

Because of him, my attitude and outlook started to change. I believe that this will have a great and positive effect on you and it’s beyond helpful to do. If you feel stuck or think “I don’t feel like making my bed” for whatever your reason may be, trust me. I have even learned to brush my teeth while doing it (I love multi-tasking). It will make your life and day turn completely around if you do this every day.

Keep a journal and write in it daily.

I have always been a writer. I had journals for every year of my life starting from when I was teenager. Were there years I didn’t? Sure. But boy, do I wish I had. When I look back on some of my journals, I’ve either said to myself, “My god! What was I thinking?” or “Wow! I have grown so much as person!” It’s really gratifying to see how much you can grow individually.

What I’ve decided to do this year (I actually started on my birthday back in August) is to write down 5 Things that I am grateful for. I have never missed a day/night. I usually write at the end of the day, before I go to bed. It simply amazes me that no matter what kind of day you’ve had, you can be grateful for the simplest things. And that’s what we should be doing! Enjoying life and simply being grateful for anything and everything we have. I feel like since August, I have been a much more positive and happier person. You learn to not sweat the small stuff and see things a lot more clearer.

Own a planner and write things down.

I’m definitely one of those people who loves to write things down and cross them off as I accomplish them. It’s such a great feeling to do it! I am also in the category of people who live by a schedule, especially when I’m at work. My job literally has me looking at the clock and changing where I need to be or what I need to do every 30-40 minutes. So naturally, I constantly live by an agenda and actually don’t mind it. I’m also learning, that as a writer, I should be scheduling time in my day, like an appointment, to sit down and write. This is very important.

It’s important for any of us to block time off in our day to do something for ourselves. If you write it down, you are more apt to follow through and complete it. Whether it be going for a walk, going to the gym, or sitting down to read, it’s important to make time for yourself. Not only will this be good for your soul but it will keep you organized.

Read a positive book.

I’m sure many of you are saying to yourself, “I don’t even have time to sit down”! But I am asking you to make sure you make time. I’ve always been into positive quotes, posting them every where and any where and living by them. But it wasn’t until I discovered reading a positive and uplifting book at night to help me turn my life around. Whatever your religious beliefs are, we all have something or someone, that we look to for guidance and support.

In the past year, I have looked to Joel Osteen to really help me. He just has a way of communicating and I have really taken to him. I just recently decided to pick up his book (Every Day a Friday, that I’ve had for about a year) and have been reading it nightly. I cannot even describe how my attitude about life and daily living has changed.

I want to be positive. I want to be more organized. When you life a more positive and organized life, everything just seems to go smoother and simpler. When your are negative and disorganized, your life is chaotic. Whatever you are putting out into the universe, you will get back. If you let your home become a dump and just let bills pile up, items not being put away and don’t schedule time for yourself and your loved ones, you’re going to feel it.

When you are living a positive and organized life, you will enjoy having a moment to just sit and be. You will feel happier and more at peace. These 5 ways are simple ways that we can all put into place. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to attain these 5 steps. Remember it only takes 21 days to make or break a habit, and these ways are a great habit to start.

Start tomorrow. Day 1. New month. New start. And begin living a positive, organized life.