How to Organize Your Life: 11 Steps to Take In 2025

I know that life is unpredictable and there are no guarantees that what we hear and read will always work, but I believe that if we set some ground rules, and we have a general plan for our lives, we can manage whatever life throws at us. I don’t think there is a single person on this planet that doesn’t have any problems, so in the end, if we try our best, maybe we can make our lives a bit easier. 

That’s why I pulled this list of 11 steps to organize your life, to create a balance between everything that’s going on around us, and to give you an idea of how you can get organized.

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Priorities

It does sound like a cliche, I know. But everybody has a goal, and your goal is what’s gonna drive you and motivate you even when you’re down and all you want to do is rewatch Gilmore Girls. And setting priorities is something we all need to work on. Maybe you’re already great at setting them, I know I’m not. But I’m working on it, I’m learning.

So ask yourself, what’s my goal, what do I want to accomplish? Or if this sounds like it’s more work oriented, ask what makes me happy? What do I want more of?

And it doesn’t need to be a specific goal, it can be something broad, like “I want to own a business by the end of this year”. The beauty of goal setting is that you can always break them down into smaller ones, and that’s how you build the plan around it, and make it happen.

Step 2: Declutter Your Space (and Your Mind)

I cannot be productive or feel like I’m ready to start working on something, if chaos is everywhere around me. So I really believe in this one. And you don’t have to go all in, you just need to dedicate a weekend to declutter your home. Or even like half an hour every other day. But trust me, once you bring peace into your surroundings, you will feel better.

Don’t stop on just physical decluttering, do it for your mind too. Write down everything that’s been on your mind, every worrying thought. You will see, once it’s written, it’s not going to look so scary. 

And how can we say we decluttered everything, if we didn’t tackle the biggest and the scariest areas of them all? Your laptop and your phone need decluttering too, of course. Grab it, start unsubscribing, deleting old screenshots and free up some storage.

Helpful Tip: Look up Marie Kondo’s method! I think it’s awesome for decluttering your home, and I really enjoy watching videos where people try it out and organize everything so neatly after.

Step 3: Create a Master Schedule

One of the best tips to organize your life is creating a master schedule that covers all your recurring tasks. This includes work hours, workouts, meal prep, or even time to relax.

How you’ll do this, depends on how comfortable you are with using planners, notes and all that good stuff. If you are a beginner, just start writing all the tasks you know you do every day. And then you’ll gradually add on. For me, having a visual layout of my week helps me stay grounded. I use both a paper planner and a Google Calendar. Syncing my digital calendar across devices ensures I never miss an appointment.

The one thing we all forget, including some self care into our plans. Including time with our family, weekends in nature, a time for watching your favorite show. Don’t forget that rest is so important. Life happens, and having some breathing room between tasks can prevent stress when things don’t go perfectly as planned. And if you fall off track, don’t worry and don’t give yourself a hard time, because you can get back to your routines, they’re not gonna run away.

Step 4: Use AI to Simplify Planning

2025 is the year to embrace AI, and trust me, it can make a world of difference in how you plan and organize. I’ve been using ChatGPT to streamline everything from meal planning to drafting emails. At this point I probably don’t have to tell you that you should double check what AI did, but – double check what AI did, always.

Here’s how you can use ChatGPT to organize your life:

1. Create To-Do Lists: You can ask it to generate a detailed to-do list for your day or week based on your goals. It’s like having a brainstorming partner (I think this can be useful for beginners especially).
2. Meal Planning: Give it your dietary preferences, and it can whip up meal ideas and grocery lists (and share the recipe with me if it’s any good!).
3. Time Management: Ask for tips on how to better structure your workday or balance multiple priorities.
4. Goal Setting: If you’re feeling stuck, ChatGPT can help you break down your long-term goals into actionable steps.

This feels like having a personal assistant who’s always available. Plus, a lot of AI tools are free or come with budget-friendly options, which is my favorite thing to hear these days.

Pro Tip: Don’t stop at ChatGPT. Explore other apps and platforms with AI integration, such as Notion or Todoist, which can sync with your calendar and adapt to your habits.

Step 5: Break Down Your Tasks

I mentioned this above. If having big goals, or big tasks, feels scary, break them down. I’m someone that likes to organize, and I don’t even focus on just the big goals. How motivating would it be, if you don’t see the results cuz the task is huge? It’s not motivating at all, ofc.

For example, instead of “organizing the entire kitchen,” I’ll start with one cabinet. I’ll sort out my flours (yes, flours, I buy so many different ones because I’m gluten free so I like to test them out), and then move on to spices. Do it in the order that makes sense to you.

Mini-Step Strategy: Write down the small steps under each big task in your planner. I like to cross them off as I go, it’s satisfying and it keeps me motivated.

Step 6: Plan Your Day the Night Before

Okay, I know this one might be unrealistic to some, but if you can, do it. Just spend like 5 minutes planning out the next day. Plan your main priority tasks, plan your outfit, plan your meals, if you don’t have them ready to go. Trust me, but planning for just 5-10min the day before, it makes the morning so much easier.

Step 7: Batch Similar Tasks

If you’ve never tried task batching, 2025 is the perfect time to start. It’s a simple productivity trick where you group similar tasks together, and it’s really not that hard to do at all.

Let me try to explain with an example:

• Respond to all emails in one sitting instead of sporadically throughout the day.
• Run all errands back-to-back instead of spreading them across the week.

Yes, these are pretty generic, but I think you get the point. If you have 4-5 bills to pay, try setting like an hour or two (maybe you live in a big city and you need more time) and just pay them all in one go.

Step 8: Build Routines That Stick

Having daily routines can do wonders for how to get life organized. Start small by establishing a morning or evening routine. My morning routine includes stretching, a quick glance at my planner, and prepping breakfast. Even 15 minutes of intentional routine can set the tone for your entire day.

I think routines are so important. I personally prefer having a really good morning routine, because that one sets my day. But then again, so does an evening one, too. My morning routine changes from time to time, but the idea is simple: waking up early and having a few moments for myself while the rest of the wordl sleeps. Having my breakfast, drinking my coffee and reading a book. And the rest is just a bonus.

For evenings, consider a wind-down routine. Mine involves tidying up, writing down wins from the day (do it on your phone if you don’t have a lot of time), and reading for a few minutes. I will be honest and say that I’m having a hard time always following this routine, especially if I’m tired. But that’s fine too, don’t forget.

Step 9: Make Use of Free Printable Resources

I’m a huge fan of printable planners, habit trackers, and to-do lists. They’re simple, accessible, and super customizable. You can find free downloads on my website to help you get started. Whether you prefer weekly planners or daily task lists, having something tangible to work from can keep you on track.

Consider laminating a printable weekly planner and using a dry-erase marker to make it reusable. It’s eco-friendly and saves you from constantly printing more.

Step 10: Learn to Say No

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that saying “no” is just as important as saying “yes”. Protect your time by only saying yes to things that align with your priorities.

If you struggle with saying no, practice polite ways to decline, like, “I really appreciate the offer, but I’m focusing on a few key projects right now.” Remember, your time is just as valuable as theirs. And it doesn’t have to be just work related, I feel like we set boundaries at work much easier than we do with our friends, or even family, don’t you agree? But it is so important to remember that we can say no to them as well.

Step 11: Reflect and Adjust Regularly

If you can, take time at the end of each week or month to reflect. What worked? What didn’t? For example, if using digital tools feels overwhelming, try simplifying with just a paper planner.

Reflection can also be a moment to celebrate wins, and you should celebrate. Did you clear out one drawer? That’s progress! Use these moments to fuel your motivation to keep going.

Bonus Tips for Staying Organized in 2025

I wanted to end this blog post with just a few more tips for staying organized. I know it can be hard, I know we are all super busy, but:

Automate What You Can

2025 offers countless automation tools, from smart home devices to recurring reminders. Automate bill payments, grocery deliveries, or even recurring chores to free up mental bandwidth.

Stay Inspired

Follow productivity influencers, join online communities, or listen to podcasts that share tips and motivation. Sometimes, all it takes is one fresh idea to re-energize your organization efforts.

Don’t Forget Self-Care

An organized life means nothing if you’re running on empty. Schedule self care like you would any other task. Whether it’s a 10-minute meditation or a weekend getaway, make time to recharge.

Pros and Cons of Getting Organized

Like anything in life, staying organized comes with its highs and potential lows. I thought it would be nice to break down the pros and cons to give you a realistic picture of what you can expect.

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Reduces stress and overwhelm	Initial setup can feel time-consuming
Helps you accomplish more in less time	Sticking to routines may require discipline
Creates a sense of control and clarity	Over-planning can lead to rigidity
Frees up time for hobbies and relaxation

Ready to Take Control?

Getting organized doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right steps, tools, and mindset, you can create a life that feels manageable and fulfilling. Take it one step at a time, and don’t forget to grab some of the free printables on my site to help you along the way.

FAQ: Common Questions About Organizing Your Life

Have questions about getting organized in 2025? Here are some answers to help you start strong and stay on top of your game: