A clutter-free environment isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s the foundation for greater focus, reduced stress, and a more intentional way of living.
How Getting Organized Can Transform Your Life
Every January, "Get Organized Month" inspires individuals, families, and businesses to kick off the year with more structured spaces and streamlined routines.
Clutter and chaos don't just affect physical environments—they can also elevate stress levels, reduce productivity, and cause missed opportunities.
Led by the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), this initiative promotes practical steps to declutter, set priorities, and create a foundation for success in every area of life.
Why Get Organized Month Matters
Key Benefits:
- Decluttering clears the mind and supports emotional well-being.
- Well-organized systems save time and fuel both personal and professional growth.
- Effective time management helps balance work and life, reducing stress while boosting overall satisfaction.
Impacts Across Audiences:
- For families: It streamlines daily routines and cuts down on household chaos.
- For businesses: Encourages smoother workflows, increasing productivity and employee morale.
- For individuals: Brings a sense of control, achievement, and motivation to pursue goals.
Wider Relevance:
- Supports sustainability by encouraging mindful consumption and the donation of items no longer in use.
- Inspires intentional living by helping people focus on what truly matters most.
Barriers to Organization
Emotional Challenges:
- Sentimental value tied to belongings can make it hard to part with them, even if they’re no longer needed.
- Facing a large amount of clutter often feels overwhelming, leading to procrastination or complete inaction.
Time Constraints:
- Busy schedules and competing priorities leave little room for setting up or maintaining organizational systems.
- Organizing tends to sink to the bottom of to-do lists, only making the issue worse over time.
Knowledge Gaps:
- Many people aren’t familiar with practical organizing methods or tools, which makes the task feel intimidating.
- Not knowing where to begin or how to prioritize can quickly derail progress and motivation.
Solutions and Their Value
Personalized Approaches:
- Customized strategies cater to specific needs, whether for home, office, or digital spaces, making organization both practical and sustainable.
- Learning effective methods, such as the KonMari Method for personal tidying or the 5S system for workplace efficiency, equips individuals and teams to stay organized with confidence.
Tech Tools:
- Productivity apps like Notion, Evernote, and Trello help streamline task management and keep priorities clearly defined and actionable.
- Digital decluttering tools simplify tasks like organizing files, managing photos, and cleaning inboxes, tackling the challenges of virtual clutter.
Professional Assistance:
- Certified professional organizers offer expertise, hands-on support, and accountability, helping to create long-term results.
- Workshops and online courses provide accessible, DIY-friendly guidance for those who prefer organizing at their own pace.
Key Activities for Get Organized Month
For Individuals and Families:
- Create a donation plan to responsibly repurpose unused items while cutting down on clutter.
- Set up consistent household routines, like nightly tidying or weekly family planning sessions, to maintain structure and organization.
For Businesses:
- Host team decluttering sessions to refresh shared workspaces and foster team morale.
- Invest in productivity tools or organizational training to streamline processes and improve overall efficiency.
For Digital Spaces:
- Clear out old emails, uninstall unused apps, and delete duplicate files to free up digital storage.
- Use structured folder systems and automated backups to keep your digital life organized for the long term.
How to Get Started
Small, Sustainable Changes:
- Begin with a small, manageable area—like a single drawer, your desktop, or a closet—to gain momentum.
- Commit just 15 minutes a day to decluttering, keeping the process consistent and stress-free.
Building Systems:
- Use labeled containers, filing systems, or checklists to establish order and prevent clutter from returning.
- Periodically review and adjust these systems to ensure they stay effective and suit your evolving needs.
Leveraging Resources:
- Tap into expert guides, webinars, and local organizing services offered during Get Organized Month for valuable tips and inspiration.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Get Organized Month?
Launched by the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), Get Organized Month encourages individuals, families, and businesses to adopt effective organizing strategies. The goal is to improve productivity, lower stress, and enhance overall quality of life by creating structured environments.
How does organization reduce stress?
A clutter-free space reduces visual distractions, which are often a hidden source of stress. Organized systems create predictability and order, offering a sense of control and mental clarity that helps ease anxiety.
What tools can help me stay organized?
- Digital Tools: Apps like Google Keep, Asana, Notion, and Trello can simplify task management and scheduling.
- Physical Tools: Planners, bullet journals, labeled storage bins, and filing systems offer hands-on ways to stay organized.
Why hire a professional organizer?
Professional organizers bring expertise and objective insights, tailoring solutions to fit specific needs. They make the process more efficient, less overwhelming, and provide accountability to ensure lasting success.
What’s the easiest way to start organizing?
Start small to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Focus on one area, like a single drawer or a portion of a closet, and dedicate a set time (e.g., 15 minutes) to sorting through items. Decide what to keep, donate, or discard, and celebrate each small win to build momentum.
How can I maintain organization over time?
Consistency is crucial. Incorporate daily tidying habits and schedule weekly reviews to tackle small messes before they grow.
What are common mistakes to avoid when organizing?
- Don’t try to tackle too much at once—it can lead to burnout. Start small and work systematically.
- Avoid buying storage solutions before decluttering; assess your needs after reducing excess items.
How do I deal with sentimental items during decluttering?
Acknowledging the emotional value of sentimental items is essential. Keep the most meaningful pieces and find creative ways to preserve memories, like creating a photo book or digital archive for items you can’t keep.
Can organization improve productivity?
Absolutely. An organized space minimizes distractions and saves time otherwise spent searching for things, enabling better focus and efficiency.
How do I involve family members in the organizing process?
Make it a team effort by discussing the benefits of organization and assigning age-appropriate tasks. Collaborative efforts foster shared responsibility and help maintain the organization long-term.
By following these guidelines and focusing on practical, sustainable habits, individuals can create an organized lifestyle that supports long-lasting structure and satisfaction.
Checklist for Success
Daily:
- Clear Surfaces and Reset Your Workspace: Start and end each day by tidying up your immediate surroundings. A clutter-free space helps you stay focused and productive.
- Update Your Task List and Schedule: Regularly review and tweak your to-do list to keep priorities in check and avoid tasks piling up.
- Set Daily Goals: Establish specific, realistic objectives for the day to maintain motivation and focus.
- Practice Inbox Zero: Aim to process and organize your emails daily to prevent your inbox from becoming overwhelming.
Weekly:
- Organize Mail and Paperwork: Set aside time to sort through incoming mail and documents. Use a filing system to categorize items like bills, correspondence, and important records, keeping paper clutter under control.
- Review Completed Tasks and Plan Ahead: Reflect on what you’ve accomplished during the week and set clear priorities for the week ahead. This helps sustain momentum and keeps you on track.
- Declutter Digital Files: Spend time organizing your computer, deleting unnecessary files, and backing up important data to maintain a streamlined digital space.
- Meal Planning: Plan your meals for the week to save time and minimize daily decision fatigue.
Monthly:
- Declutter a Specific Room or Area: Focus on one space, such as your closet or office, each month. Sort through items and keep only those that serve a purpose or hold significant value.
- Revisit Long-Term Goals and Adjust as Needed: Check your progress on big-picture goals and make adjustments to strategies or timelines as needed.
- Financial Review: Review your monthly expenses, budget, and savings plan to ensure financial stability.
- Update Passwords: Refresh your digital security by updating passwords and keeping track of them securely.
Quarterly:
- Perform a Thorough Review of Your Systems: Evaluate your organizational tools and methods to identify what’s working and where improvements can be made.
- Deep-Clean Storage Areas and Archive Outdated Documents: Give storage spaces a complete refresh. Remove irrelevant items and archive old documents to maintain order.
- Health Check-Up: Schedule routine health appointments to stay on top of your well-being.
- Evaluate Personal Relationships: Reflect on your social connections and focus on nurturing positive, meaningful relationships.
By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can create sustainable habits that foster order, efficiency, and balance in every aspect of your life.
References
- Aso, Y., Suzuki, A., Nojiri, Y., Mochizuki, Y., Shimozono, M., Naganuma, Y., & Yamaoka, K. (2021). Evaluation of an educational programme for people who have difficulty decluttering and organising: A randomised controlled trial in Japan. Health & Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13693
- Magnavita, N., Chiorri, C., Karimi, L., & Karanika-Murray, M. (2022). The Impact of Quality of Work Organization on Distress and Absenteeism among Healthcare Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013458
- Sorrell, J. M. (2020). Tidying Up: Good for the Aging Brain. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(4), 16–18. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20200316-02
- Yulfani Akhmad Rizky, Khuzaini Khuzaini, & Syahrial Shadiq. (2023). Decluttering for Enhanced Workplace Performance: The 5S Solution. Jurnal Inovasi Ekonomi, 8(02), 69–82. https://doi.org/10.22219/jiko.v8i02.26916
- Huzefa, A., Hr, R., & Mahindra Bank, K. (2024). The Impact of Poor Mental Health on Productivity and Suitable Remedies. IJFMR240425410, 6(4). https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/4/25410.pdf
- Aso, Y., Yamaoka, K., Nemoto, A., Naganuma, Y., & Saito, M. (2017). Effectiveness of a “Workshop on Decluttering and Organising” programme for teens and middle-aged adults with difficulty decluttering: a study protocol of an open-label, randomised, parallel-group, superiority trial in Japan. BMJ Open, 7(6), e014687. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014687
- Get Organized Month. (2021, December 28). National Today. https://nationaltoday.com/get-organized-month/
Takeaway
Participating in Get Organized Month 2025 offers more than just a cleaner space—it’s a stepping stone to greater mental clarity, improved productivity, and an overall sense of well-being.
Studies show that decluttering helps reduce stress and anxiety, sharpens focus, and fosters a feeling of control over one’s environment.
By making small, consistent changes, individuals can achieve meaningful transformations in their daily lives.
Simple habits, like spending just a few minutes each day tidying up a specific area, can significantly boost mental health and efficiency over time.
Get Organized Month encourages individuals to embrace a proactive mindset—one that values order, clarity, and intentional living.
It’s not just about managing the physical, but also cultivating a mental approach that promotes structure and purpose.
Remember, every small effort contributes to a larger change. Start today by choosing one area to organize.
You’ll be surprised how a single, intentional action can pave the way for a year filled with growth, focus, and achievement.
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