Keeping both you and your space organized can feel like an olympic task when dealing with mental health issues. Organizational methods that may work for people without mental health issues may not work for you, and that’s okay.
The key to staying organized with mental health issues is to find a system that works best for you. Play to your strengths, and feel free to mix and match methods until you find a system that is sustainable for you.
By finding a way to stay organized, you are proactively taking care of yourself and your mental health.
Graphic of self-love reminder via crystaldrawsstuff
Staying organized and being able to keep your space clean is incredibly important with mental health illnesses and issues. Our spaces can have a direct impact on us, and a messy space can be anxiety-inducing, claustrophobic, and shame spiral-inducing.
I am not a certified mental health counselor, but over my lifetime of living with mental health illnesses, these following ways have become my absolute favorite, and most trusted, ways to stay organized.
Here are my 13 favorite ways to stay organized while living with mental health illnesses and issues:
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1. Store everything in clear containers.
Photo of our clear food organization system.
Clear containers can help you see exactly how much food and supplies you have. Plus, for me at least, it helps me remember where things are, what I have, and makes food more appetizing because I can see it.
We use clear containers and repurposed jars in our fridge, and it has really helped me to maintain a healthier and more regular eating schedule.
It doesn’t need to be super clean and organized all of the time. Your space just needs to be organized enough that you can see your food and supplies, and easily access them.
2. Note down reminders, but figure out which kind of reminders work best for you.
Graphic by ATSO made with Canva
Notes in a bullet journal, or notes in a phone, computer, or tablet. Whatever works best for you, that’s what you should do!
The important thing is that by writing down the reminder somewhere, you are freeing up the mental space that was dedicated to constantly trying to remember it. Noting things down also makes it easier to prioritize your tasks in a way that will work best for you.
3. Try the mentality, “if it takes less than a minute to do, do it now”.
Graphic by ATSO made with Canva
This mentality has really made keeping my space clean much easier, and I notice a daily positive impact.
You can break large tasks into smaller tasks, and spend one minute on the task. I find this especially helpful when doing the dishes or folding laundry, as it helps a sometimes daunting task seem more bite-sized.
Even completing smaller tasks, like folding one blanket, can overall add to a more organized place.
4. Going to another room? Bring something with you that also needs to go to that room.
Shrek graphic by ATSO made with Canva
You don’t need to do a massive task, or bring anything big from one room to the other. Focus on building the habit of asking yourself, ‘do I need to bring anything with me where I am going?’ before you leave a room.
It may ‘just’ be a dish, cup, pen, or paper, but it all adds up!
5. Prioritize your tasks to find an order that is most productive for you.
Photo of reference key for organizing tasks in bullet journal via wellella on Pinterest.com
This is a great way to not only stay organized, but to find a flow that will help you finish your tasks more quickly and efficiently. You can use a variety of methods, such as bullets, checklists, numbered lists, or using a reference key like the one pictured, or even a combination of these methods!
By writing down and prioritizing your tasks, you are prioritizing your self-care and proactively taking care of yourself.
6. Separate your tasks into need to do this week, would like to have done this week, and a bonus category.
To-do lists can seem very intimidating and long, so it can be really helpful to break them into smaller sections. Separate based on priority, and this will help your agenda and to-dos feel more manageable.
I personally used to hate lists, but by breaking them up into smaller sections, I am now a list enthusiast.
We recommend our customized priority planner shown above! It is designed to be more mental health friendly and less anxiety inducing than traditional lists. 5% of all proceeds go to the mental health non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA).
7. If you only have enough energy to clean/organize one thing, pick the task/section that bothers you the most.
Screenshot of get out blackinkcrew GIF via Giphy.com
Sometimes, one task can be more annoying than five other tasks combined together. By starting with and finishing the toughest task, the most annoying agenda item is done. Now the rest of your to-do list will seem much more approachable and doable.
You will also receive a giant dopamine boost from completing a daunting task, and will be rewarded with energy and happiness.
8. Invest in products that will make cleaning easier for you.
Photo of iRobot automatic vacuum via Amazon.com
Interested in an automatic vacuum? I highly recommend it. See a pair of brightly colored cleaning gloves that would make the idea of cleaning your bathroom at least somewhat more fun? Go for it.
We live in a time of amazing technology and products. Definitely use them to your advantage!
9. Set a timer, and purposefully do nothing for the duration of that time.
Photo of hourglass with black sand by Alexandar Todov via Unsplash.com
I do this when I want a kick start for getting chores or tasks done. It is good to rest, and this way, I am able to make my anxiety work for me. By not doing anything, my anxiety will eventually build into adrenaline anxiety, because I feel like I NEED to do something. When the timer goes off, I am eager and ready to tackle my to-do’s.
I also actually have this exact hourglass and for me, I find it so aesthetically pleasing it eliminates my timer stress.
10. Try using an app to build healthy habits! My favorite is lvlup .
Graphic by ATSO made with Canva
The habits we build today really do help build our tomorrow. Building coping mechanisms into my daily habits and routines has been a real lifesaver for me.
You can use an app habit tracker, like lvlup, or you can track your habits in a different app or notes section.
11. Put on a cleaning and/or organizing show, and clean with them!
Photo of Get Organized with The Home Edit on Netflix via THE website.
My go-to for this is The Home Edit. They have a book, show on Netflix, blog, and various social media platforms where they help others learn how to make sustainable organization systems.
Whenever I need extra motivation to clean and organize, I put on an organization show, and it really does help me.
12. Clear out and open up your space by making some donations!
Graphic by ATSO made with Canva
By making donations, you are helping someone in need, and you are freeing up space in your own place. Plus, it’s one less thing you’ll have to clean!
Keep a small space or a box dedicated to donations in your space. Whenever you come across something you can donate, put it in the box. When the space or box is full, donate it! Goodwill offers many local options, and you can check for a drop-off location near you here.
13. When you have the energy to clean, clean.
Graphic by ATSO made with Canva
Being in the mood to clean is honestly a blessing. Take advantage of the moment, and if you are able to clean and/or be really productive for a period of time, do it.
Having a cleaner and more organized space will always help you feel good. It will also help you to stay organized!
I hope these mental health life hacks help! Remember: you can do this, and even small progress is progress.
Always yours,
Sara, ATSO
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