How to Get Your Life in Order When Things Get Crazy

Getting Your Life Together

Are you feeling lost and need guidance to get your life in order?

Sometimes you feel prepared to conquer the world, but other times you’re swamped and believe you’ll never get it together.

I’ve been there.

It can be disheartening and discouraging when we feel like our life is out of order, but it’s not hopeless.

With a few simple steps, you can take control of your life and get it back on track.

One thing to consider is that getting your life in order is not a one-and-done kind of thing, but rather an ongoing process.

You have to commit to making small changes daily to really see results.

Honestly, you can never avoid the up and downs of life, so don’t believe getting your life in order means you’ll never have bad days.

Actually, having your life together can make bad days bearable and good days even better.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s jump right in.

Why You Need Order in Your Life?

There’s no such thing as a perfect life.

I think we can all agree with that.

But what about a better life?

Imagine a life where your days are filled with purpose, and you have the energy to get things done without feeling overwhelmed.

Having your life in order can give you that.

I don’t think that’s asking for too much.

Even if it’s only one percent better, that’s still something.

Creating a sense of order in your life can help you prioritize important things, such as your health, personal growth, and relationships.

No matter what that looks like for you, having order in your life will help you meet your needs and live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

9 Ways to Get Your Life in Order

Audit Your Life

The first step to getting some order into your life is to audit your current situation.

Your audit can be as big as a complete life reflection or as small as a quick brain dump.

The goal is to take some time to reflect on different aspects of your life, like work, relationships, health, and finances.

How are you doing in each of these areas?

What do you like about them, and what could use some work?

Think about what is most important to you or what really needs your attention right now.

Although it may be uncomfortable, you want to be honest with yourself and take note of all the areas in which you need to make changes.

For example, if your finances are a mess, you can’t just jot down a few numbers and call it a day.

You have to get down to the nitty-gritty, such as how much you owe on loans or credit cards, what bills are due soon, and what expenses you might be able to cut out.

From there, you can create a budget and be on the road to a better financial situation.

You can’t truly bring order to your life without first acknowledging the things that need improvement.

Once you’ve done your audit, the next step is to create a plan of action.

Look at the areas that need improvement and decide which ones should be your top priorities, then create a plan to work on them.

Start with the Little Things

Getting your life together during chaos can feel like an impossible task.

That’s why I recommend doing a little bit at a time.

Tackling a task you can do easily with minimal effort, such as making your bed every morning or doing the dishes after dinner, will give you a sense of accomplishment that can encourage you to keep going.

Sometimes, the little things make all the difference, and these small changes will add up over time.

Consider these small but significant steps that will bring you closer to achieving your big goal.

Here’s a list of some small tasks you can tackle right away:

Make your bed every morning
Make a to-do list for the day
Clean the kitchen after dinner
Take out the trash regularly
Clean up your workspace at the end of each day
Tidy up your living space once a week
Meal prep on the weekends to save time during the week
Take a few minutes to meditate each day
Organize your emails and delete or archive what you no longer need

These are just a few ideas, but I recommend brainstorming your own list that will fit your unique situation.

Although they may seem small and insignificant, these tasks have the power to make the biggest impact on your life.

If you adopt the mindset of taking things one day at a time and putting effort into making progress, you’ll be astonished by the results.

Set Goals

Without a clear life goal, achieving order is almost impossible.

Therefore, it’s important to have goals to guide you in the right direction.

Your goals can be anything from starting a business and running a marathon to getting out of debt and eating healthier.

Once you have chosen your goal, it’s time to break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

The SMART goal-setting framework is a great method because it entails setting Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals.

smart goals diagram for getting life in order blog post

Let’s say your goal is to improve your health; you can divide it into smaller actions, like eliminating processed foods or exercising for 30 minutes.

Then, set a time frame, say six months, to accomplish those tasks.

Here’s how I like to set goals:

At the beginning of the new year, I like to sit down and write out my goals for the whole year
Then each quarter, I review those goals to see where I’m at and make any necessary adjustments
Finally, each month, I write out a list of actionable items I can do that will help me get closer to my big goals

Of course, I’m a little more detailed than that, as I like to break down my goals into weekly and daily tasks and set deadlines.

But you get the idea.

Do whatever works for you, and never be afraid to fine-tune your goal-setting process.

The key here is to find a good balance between making your goals achievable but also challenging enough to push yourself and make progress.

Create Routines

Creating routines can be a great way to get your life back on track.

Not sure where to start?

One great way to develop a routine is to create a daily or weekly routine to ensure that you’re making progress in the right areas.

Here’s a list of my favs:

Morning routine
Evening routine
Reset routine
Monthly reset routine
Self-care routine
Cleaning routine
Workout routine

Assess your current habits and decide which ones to cut out.

Substitute unhealthy habits with healthier ones that serve you better.

Think about what you want out of your routine.

Do you want to wake up earlier? Workout? Be more productive? Spend time with loved ones? Laundry?

Adding a few regular activities to your schedule can help you take charge of your life.

For example, establishing a Sunday night ritual, like creating a to-do list, can help you start the week on the right foot.

You can create routines in all areas of your life but try not to create and maintain too many.

It’s often too much to keep up with and can cause even more stress.

Use a Planner

If you’re anything like me, if it’s not written down, it’s as good as forgotten.

However, our tasks are here to (haunt) stay until we take action and complete them.

But with a planner, you can bid farewell to The Ghost of Unfinished Tasks.

A planner is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and down on paper.

Honestly, using a planner is like having an external brain.

A planner helps you organize everything, from small daily tasks to long-term goals and projects.

You can write down everything you need to do and organize it into categories, like work-related tasks, personal development goals, financial goals, health and fitness activities, or any ideas, reminders, or notes you may have throughout the day.

You can choose from physical planners, like the Happy Planner, Erin Condren Planner, or a Bullet Journal.

Or you can go digital and use apps like GoodNotes, Google Calendar, Trello, and Notion.

I was a paper planner girly, but I’ve recently switched to Notion and Google Calendar, and it’s been a game changer for me.

You can also use a hybrid method—a physical planner for some things and a digital one for others.

No matter what type of planner you use, make sure it meets your needs, is easy to use, and is accessible at all times.

Get Your Finances in Order

Getting your finances in order is one of the most important things you can do to get your life back on track.

According to a survey by Credit Wise, 73% of Americans say finances are their biggest stressor.

So, it’s no surprise that getting your finances in order is one of the most important steps to reduce stress and get your life back on track.

Let’s keep it real!

How can our lives be together if we’re dealing with financial stress?

Oh, I’m familiar with the “financial scaries” that come with creating a monthly budget, reviewing credit card statements, and checking bank account balances.

And don’t get me started with student loans.

It can be an overwhelming process, and it’s easy to give up and ignore the problem.

But don’t let that stop you from getting your finances in order.

You should have enough money to be comfortable and live the life you want.

You deserve it!

The first step is to audit your current finances and figure out exactly how much money you have coming in, what bills are due, and where there is potential to save.

What’s your financial goal? Do you need to pay off debt? Perhaps you want to save for a house.

The next step is to create a plan to help you overcome your financial troubles.

Your plan can include:

Creating a budget
Cutting back on unnecessary spending
Increasing your income
Finding ways to reduce your debt
Building an emergency fund
Contacting a financial advisor

You can use spreadsheets, budgeting apps, printable templates, budget planners, bullet journal spread, and even a piece of paper can do the job.

The goal is to find a system that works for you and stick with it.

I currently use this budgeting spreadsheet and absolutely love it.

It might take some time and effort upfront to tackle your finances but trust me when I say it’s worth it in the long run—not only will it help you get your life back on track, but it’s also a great way to build a h ealthy relationship with money.

Clean and Declutter Your Space

A cluttered space is a cluttered mind.

Have you ever felt this way?

I know I have.

When my space is messy and disorganized, it’s hard to put my mind at ease.

If you feel overwhelmed, take a look at your environment.

Could it use a little tidying up?

Start by getting rid of the stuff you no longer need.

Get rid of junk mail, expired food in the fridge, and clothes that no longer fit.

If there are items that still have value, consider donating them or selling them online.

The less stuff you own, the less time it takes to clean and maintain them.

Once you’ve decluttered, take the time to clean up.

Vacuum, dust, wipe down surfaces— whatever it takes to make your space look neat.

It doesn’t have to be perfect; just do enough to create a sense of order in your space.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your space uncluttered:

Give every item a home
Put items back in their place
Create a filing system for papers, bills, and other documents
Adopt the “one in, one out” rule – for every item you bring into your home, you take one out
Use bins and baskets to corral small items
Label shelves and cabinets
Color coordinate items

I also recommend adding a cleaning or decluttering routine to your schedule to upkeep your space.

For instance, dedicate one day a week to cleaning and organizing or 15 minutes per day to declutter your space.

By taking the time to declutter and clean your environment, you can create a peaceful space that will help you stay focused and organized.

Do a Digital Detox

Living in a digital age means always being connected, which can be a blessing and a curse.

Have you looked at your phone usage time?

I have, and I’m still shocked.

There’s no doubt about it, we use our phones for everything these days—making phone calls, taking pictures, banking, socializing, and the list goes on.

However, too much can harm our mental health and productivity.

And the last thing you want is to be distracted by your phone while you try to get your life in order.

If you check your phone first thing in the morning, spend hours scrolling through social media, or constantly refresh your emails—it may be time for a much-needed digital detox.

A digital detox is the process of taking a break from technology and disconnecting from our devices for some time.

It’s simple: limit your screen time, delete apps you don’t use, or maybe even take a break from social media for a few days.

A digital detox is a great way to reset your mind, unplug from technology, and focus on the present so you can reclaim control over your life.

Here are a few ways to practice a digital detox:

Set a time limit on your phone for social media apps
Designate spaces in your home as tech-free zones, like the bedroom
Remove push notifications for apps and emails (we should control our phones, not the other way around)
Place phone on Do Not Disturb mode for certain hours of the day
Select designated times each day when you avoid screens altogether, like during meals or first thing in the morning
Take digital detox days or weekends (no screens at all)
Charge your phone in another room to avoid distractions
Find activities that you can do away from your screens

A digital detox will help you reclaim control over how much time you spend on your phone and use it in ways that improve your life.

Prioritize Self-Care

Getting your life in order should also involve taking care of yourself.

While things spiral out of control, my self-care routine is the last thing I think about.

But self-care is super important because it can help you stay focused and productive when dealing with life’s challenges.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

It’s true.

Our lives can’t run smoothly if we neglect our well-being.

Take care of yourself first, then worry about the rest.

Here are a few ways to start taking care of yourself:

Make sure you get enough sleep
Establish healthy eating habits
Schedule regular mental health check-ins or counseling
Make time for physical activity such as yoga, walking, biking
Take the time to invest in yourself— take classes, attend workshops and seminars
Set aside time to do something that makes you feel good—read a book, take an art class, listen to music, read your bible, play video games
Schedule some quiet time where you can relax and unplug—meditate, pray, journal, spend time with God, or just sit in silence
Schedule regular healthcare appointments and make sure you stay up-to-date with your health insurance information
Take a much-needed vacation—take a weekend trip or staycation to get away from it all

Self-care means different things for different people; however, everyone needs some form of self-care to stay balanced.

Whatever you enjoy, make sure you take the time to do it.

It will help you stay focused and motivated while boosting your mental health.

And another thing, self-care doesn’t need to be aesthetic or complicated.

Whatever helps you stay focused and relaxed is good enough.

Remember, self-care should always be at the top of your priority list when getting your life in order.

Conclusion for Getting Your Life in Order

It’s always possible to get your life back on track, no matter how chaotic things appear.

However, achieving order in your life doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a lot of hard work and patience.

So, show yourself some grace as you work towards getting your life together, and always celebrate the small wins.

Now it’s your turn.

What area of your life is badly in need of order?

Share in the comments below.

Guide to Help You Get Your Life in Order

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How to Get Your Life in Order When Things Get Crazy

Getting Your Life Together

Why You Need Order in Your Life?