How to Organize Your Life: A Stress-Free Guide to Finding Focus

Feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of stuff, tasks, and responsibilities? Join the club! Did you know that 55% of Americans are stressed out on the daily?
That’s a lot of us feeling overwhelmed and out of control. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to live this way.
Between work, family, and trying to squeeze in some “me time” (hello, TBR pile!), life can feel like a never-ending race against the clock.
But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve tapped into the wisdom of Blinkist’s book summaries, and are here to share the secrets on how to organize your life!
We’ll declutter, we’ll prioritize, and we’ll carve out time for what truly matters (including those books you’ve been dying to read!).
Why are we so overwhelmed?
But what exactly is fueling this stress epidemic? It’s a combination of factors, but some of the biggest culprits include:
Clutter: That overflowing closet, the stacks of papers on your desk, the never-ending notifications on your phone… It’s all contributing to a sense of mental chaos.
Distractions: Emails, social media, endless news feeds—they’re all vying for your attention and pulling you away from what truly matters.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry. The Blinkist library has a wealth of knowledge waiting to help you tackle these challenges head-on.
Smart Reads to Get You Started to Organize Your Life:
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Discover how to cut through the noise and focus on the essential few things that truly matter.
Essentialism
- 18 min reading time
- audio version available
The Organized Mind by Daniel J. Levitin
Learn how to declutter your mind, optimize your brain’s natural tendencies, and create systems for staying focused.
The Organized Mind
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Remember, recognizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution. So, take a deep breath, acknowledge the chaos, and let’s get ready to create some order.
How to Declutter Your Life and Become More Organized
Alright, let’s get to the heart of the matter: clutter. It’s more than messy drawers and overflowing bookshelves.
Clutter can weigh us down mentally and emotionally, making it harder to focus, relax, and enjoy our lives. But don’t worry, decluttering doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
The Joy of Tidying
Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home introduces us to the revolutionary concept of only keeping items that “spark joy.” It’s a simple yet powerful question: Does this item bring me happiness? If not, it’s time to thank it for its service and let it go.
The Minimalist Mindset
Dawn Madsen, aka The Minimal Mom, takes this a step further. She shows us how embracing minimalism can lead to a more intentional, impactful life.
Practical Tips for Decluttering
Pro-Tip for Beginners: Don’t tackle your entire house at once. Start with one category (clothes, books, papers, sentimental items, etc.) and work your way through.
Physical Decluttering:
- Clothes: Hold each item and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” (Hello, Marie Kondo!) If not, donate or discard it.
- Books: Be honest about which books you’ll actually read. Keep your favorites and let go of the rest. Maybe even try reading Apps, like Blinkist.
- Papers: Sort through bills, receipts, and documents, keeping only what’s essential.
Digital Decluttering:
- Emails: Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters, archive old emails and create folders for better organization.
- Files: Delete unused documents, organize your folders, and back up important files.
- Photos: Sort through your photos, delete duplicates, and create albums for easy access.
How to Organize Apps on Your Phone
- Delete Unused Apps: If you haven’t used it in months, do you really need it?
- Create Folders: Group apps by category (social media, productivity, games, etc.) or by use case (work, entertainment, travel).
- Prioritize Your Home Screen: Keep only essential apps on your home screen, relegating the rest to folders or secondary screens.
Get more inspiration for your digital decluttering journey with Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. Newport suggests a 30-day digital declutter as a starting point to reevaluate technology usage and adopt healthier habits.
Digital Minimalism
- 20 min reading time
- audio version available
How do Manage Your Time
Now that we’ve tackled some of the physical and mental clutter, let’s dive into the elusive beast that is TIME. It often feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, right?
But trust me, with a little strategy and some helpful insights, you can absolutely take back control of your schedule.
The first step to mastering your time is understanding where it’s actually going. Try tracking your activities for a few days – you might be surprised by how much time gets sucked into unproductive black holes (hello, social media!).
How to Start a Routine
Forget the cookie-cutter routines. It’s time to design a schedule that works for you. Start by identifying your non-negotiables – the things you absolutely need to do each day (work, family time, sleep, etc.). Then, carve out time for the things you want to do, like reading, exercise, or hobbies.
But stay flexible. Life happens, and it’s okay to deviate from the plan sometimes.
For a smoother start to your day, check out our Ultimate Morning Routine Checklist: Wake Up, Shake Up, & Level Up! This guide will help transform your morning chaos into calm, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day.
If you want to dive deeper into building good habits, take a look at the summary of Atomic Habits by James Clear. This self-help book provides a framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones.
Atomic Habits
- 25 min reading time
- audio version available
Additionally, explore 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam, a time-management book that challenges the belief that we don’t have enough time in a week.
168 Hours
- 21 min reading time
- audio version available
How to Organize Your Finances
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: money. Financial stress can be a major source of overwhelm, but it doesn’t have to be.
Work on your Budgeting
Think of a budget as your financial GPS. It helps you track your income and expenses, set financial goals, and make informed decisions about how you spend your money.
Don’t worry, budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive. It’s simply about creating a plan that works for you.
Focus on managing your debts and start saving and investing. Take charge of your finances with this excellent read:
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
- 13 min reading time
- audio version available
How to Organize Your Social Life
Let’s now dive into the heart and soul of life: our relationships.
It’s easy for connections with friends, family, and partners to get lost in the shuffle of everyday life. But strong, healthy relationships are essential for our happiness and well-being. Let’s explore how to organize this crucial aspect of our lives:
- Schedule regular “friend dates” or “family nights.” Put them on the calendar and treat them like any other important commitment.
- Embrace technology. Use video calls and messaging apps to stay connected with long-distance loved ones.
- Utilize a Shared Calendar: A shared calendar can help you coordinate schedules and ensure you’re making time for each other.
- Plan shared activities. Go for a hike together, try a new recipe, or simply relax with a movie night.
Blinkist Tip: Share your Premium Blinkist account with a friend and use Blinkist Spaces to brainstorm on the same topics and bond over shared learning experiences!
And to get better organized in your relationships, also check out these quick reads in the Blinkist library:
Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Hold Me Tight
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
3 More Tips on How to Organize Your Life (Because We’re Not Done Yet!)
You’re already well on your way to a calmer, more organized life! But let’s not stop there. Let’s sprinkle some organizational magic into a few more areas that can make a big difference in your day-to-day:
1. Plan Your Meals
Takeout menus piling up? It’s time to reclaim your kitchen and your health. Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated – start with simple, healthy recipes and build from there.
- Plan Ahead: Dedicate an hour each week to plan your meals and create a shopping list.
- Prep in Advance: Chop veggies, cook grains, or marinate proteins on the weekend to save time during busy weeknights.
Dive into the great summaries of Aviva Goldfarb’s The Six O’Clock Scramble Meal Planner for delicious and nutritious meal ideas, or explore strategies for getting dinner on the table without the stress.
2. Take Time for Your Health
As the saying goes, your health is your wealth. Make time for exercise, sleep, and self-care rituals that nourish your body and mind.
- Schedule Your Workouts: Treat them like important appointments that you wouldn’t miss.
- Sleep Soundly: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Move Your Body: Find activities you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, hiking, yoga, or strength training.
If you want to get more hacks on a healthier life, check out Timothy Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Body for tips on optimizing your health and fitness routines.
The 4-Hour Body
- 19 min reading time
- audio version available
3. Travel (But without the Stress)
Don’t let travel planning become another source of overwhelm. With a little preparation, you can embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease.
- Pack Light: Avoid overpacking by creating a capsule wardrobe and sticking to the essentials.
- Research and Book in Advance: Secure your flights, accommodations, and any necessary tickets before you go.
- Embrace Spontaneity (But Have a Plan B): Allow room for flexibility, but have a loose itinerary in mind so you don’t waste precious vacation time.
For more Inspo explore summaries like Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel or Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding for inspiration and practical advice on making the most of your journeys.
How to Organize Your Life (with Blinkist’s help)
By taking small, intentional steps to organize your life – decluttering your space, managing your time, prioritizing your relationships, and streamlining everything from finances to meal prep – you can reclaim your peace of mind and create a life that truly feels like your own.
It’s not about achieving perfection; it’s about finding a balance that works for you. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Blinkist is here to support your journey with a wealth of insights from the world’s best nonfiction books.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your free 7-day trial with Blinkist and explore the summaries mentioned in our “How to Organize your Life” article, plus countless others, to help you design the organized life you crave.