I thought happiness was a result of “finding” life when everything becomes easy. But the more I observed, the more I discovered that it’s usually the simple, intentional, and organized habits that keep you relaxed, productive, and truly happier (especially on an average busy day).
Organization and happiness go hand in hand, and it can often determine your quality of life. The concept of happiness is more than just a fleeting state of being. It’s an actual aspect of well-being (supported by research too!). Research has also shown that people who maintain a positive outlook are more productive, experience less anxiety, and have better relationships.
Organization promotes that happiness because it eliminates clutter and the feeling of a lack of control over the day. When you’re organized, you make the best use of your time and resources, and you also feel like you’re making the most of your life. You find a routine that works, and that’s when you focus on things that are more important. In an unorganized environment, you are more likely to feel stressed, disoriented, and anxious—and much less present.
You may think you have a hold of one aspect of your life, but you have no idea how to start the other. That’s why it’s essential to achieve a perfect blend of both, for a more steady, positive perspective.
Here are 9 Quick Ways to Stay Happy and Keep Life Organized
1. Start Your Day with a Morning Routine
Your morning routine influences how your day will go. Starting the day with a purpose helps you have a sense of control over your life—and that alone will see you through all your activities for the day.
You don’t need to make it an elaborate one. Simple habits like meditation, stretching, or journaling can help improve your mood and help you stay more focused and alert.
For instance, meditation helps you slow down and be in the present. Just a few minutes of quiet time will help you declutter your thoughts and start the day off calmly. Meditation has also been found to increase awareness of your emotions and thoughts—which helps you deal with pressure better.
Stretching is another amazing addition to your morning routine. It helps wake you up, increasing blood flow and relieving tension from sleeping. It also leaves you more energized and ready to go through your day.
Journaling is also a very effective way to start your day. Writing out your thoughts, goals, or things you are grateful for helps clear your mind and improve your emotional balance. It also helps you stay more organized, as you have a clear direction and purpose for the day.
Related: 9 Golden Hour Morning Routine
2. Create a Daily To-Do List
Making a to-do list for the day is one of the easiest ways to stay more organized and productive. Writing down what you need to get done clears your mind of stress and helps you remember everything.
Your list also serves as a reminder or a roadmap for your day. Whenever you feel distracted, you can always refer back to it. It also helps you curb the urge to procrastinate because you can visualize everything that needs to be done.
If a particular task is big, try breaking it down into smaller tasks. This makes it seem less overwhelming and much easier to start on. The more you check off on your list, the more your sense of progress and achievement increases.
The simple act of crossing something off your list improves your mood and motivates you to keep going all through the day.
Related: 8 Weekend Habits of Highly Successful People You Should Try
3. Declutter Your Space Regularly
The environment you live in greatly influences your mind. When you are in a messy environment, you are more likely to feel stressed, anxious, and distracted. But when your environment is tidy, you also feel more at peace and in control of your life.
Decluttering your space does not have to be a stressful activity. You can start by just decluttering one small part of your space. It can be a drawer, your work desk, or even a section of your wardrobe. It feels more manageable when you focus on one area at a time.
You could also make a habit of the “one in, one out rule.” The “one in, one out rule” is where you remove one item every time you bring in something new. This way, you don’t end up with so many unnecessary things piling up.
Setting aside a few minutes daily also helps you maintain a neat environment. Even fifteen minutes of decluttering a day can help a lot. If you are in a space with other people, involving them will also help, especially when it comes to cleaning shared spaces.
Decluttering your space helps clear your mind, reduce stress, and makes your daily activities seem much lighter.
Read Also: 8 Practical Steps to Overcome Laziness
4. Practice Gratitude Daily
Gratitude is a simple but powerful practice that can help you uplift your mood immediately. When you count your blessings, your focus automatically shifts from stress and anxiety to thankfulness.
An easy way is to keep a gratitude journal. Write at least three to five things you are thankful for each day. You can write about a big thing like some progress in your life, or even a small thing like a good meal or just a calm moment.
You can also practice gratitude by simply acknowledging little moments throughout the day. It could be a nice message from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or just a good laugh. The more you observe, the more content you are.
Gratitude, over time, helps you build an effective mindset and also helps you stay happier, even in challenging seasons.
5. Limit Social Media Use
Social media, though a great way to stay connected, also has some ill effects on your happiness when overused. Staring at pictures of other people’s highlight reels will just make you more anxious, envious, and with low self-esteem.
A good step is to have specific times to check social media as opposed to scrolling mindlessly all day. You can check in the morning and at night.
You could also use apps that monitor your screen time so you know how long you spend on your phone. This will make you more aware, and you’ll find it much easier to reduce the hours and focus on more impactful activities.
Setting a limit on your social media use also helps you guard your peace, stay more focused, and live more in the present.
6. Stay Physically Active
Movement is great for your body and mind. Exercise and movement trigger the release of endorphins—otherwise known as “feel-good hormones”—and these improve your mood while reducing stress.
You do not need to run marathons to feel the effect. You can stay active by taking short walks, stretching during breaks, or opting to use the stairs instead of the elevator.
If you are too busy, you can do home-based movements. Yoga, dancing, or even some light bodyweight exercises can work. You can also engage in activities like gardening or playing with your pets.
Keeping active also helps you build mental resilience and helps you stay consistent and organized.
7. Set Clear Boundaries for a Happier Life
Boundaries help to preserve your time, energy, and sanity. When you have no boundaries, you will end up over-committing and most likely end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
One of the primary ways of setting boundaries is learning to say “no” politely but firmly. You can say, “Thank you for considering me, but I can’t take that up at the moment,” or “I would love to help, but I am committed to something else at the moment.”
It also helps to take stock of your commitments on a regular basis. When you write them down, you can easily see what is important and what can wait.
Do not forget self-care as well. When you protect time for rest and personal growth, you are recharging and showing up better for all aspects of your life.
8. Take Breaks to Recharge
Taking a short break during the day helps you improve your focus and reduce the likelihood of burning out. When you are engaged in a task non-stop, your productivity becomes lower, and you feel more stressed.
A simple method is the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. You can take these breaks to relax and refresh your mind, and then return with more energy.
Stretch or take deep breaths, or step away from your computer. You can even go outside if possible. A little fresh air can do wonders for your mood and mental focus.
Breaks are not a form of laziness; they are a smart way to remain productive and balanced.
9. Foster Positive Relationships
Your social life has a great impact on your happiness. When you are surrounded by people who are supportive, you feel more emotionally stable and less stressed.
Checking in on your loved ones regularly is an easy way to build stronger relationships. It can be a simple call, text message, or even a post-it message to let them know you care.
Do not forget to show appreciation too. Saying thank you, or dropping compliments, or letting them know how they have positively impacted your life goes a long way in building deeper relationships.
Spend time with them as well. Engaging in a shared hobby, going out together, or even volunteering helps build stronger relationships. This will help reduce feelings of isolation.
When you work on building positive relationships, you are building a support system that will help you stay happier and more grounded.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to have the perfect life to be happy; you need to have simple habits that help you reduce stress and stay more organized during the day. When you practice even a few of these tips, you will most likely find yourself feeling more relaxed, focused, and more in control of your life.
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