Habits of Order
- Organize by Flo
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Creating routines and habits to maintain an organized, tidy, and clean environment can transform your space and your mindset. By incorporating strategies like habit stacking and list-making, you can streamline your organization process and maintain a clutter-free area. Here are some tips to help you build those constructive habits:
1. Understanding Habit Stacking
Habit stacking is a simple strategy to create a new habit by piggybacking it onto an existing one. This technique can be particularly effective when striving for tidiness. Start by identifying an existing habit and then add a small, related task after it.
Example: If you already have a routine of making coffee every morning, pair it with a clean-up habit such as tidying the kitchen. While your coffee brews, load the dishwasher or wipe down countertops.

2. Prioritize List-Making
Lists are your organizational best friend. They not only help you remember tasks but also provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you tick items off.
Tips for Making Efficient Lists:
- Daily Cleaning List: Write down daily chores like making the bed, doing the dishes, or quick vacuuming.
- Weekly Focus: Include tasks like laundry, dusting, or cleaning the bathroom.
- Sorted by Priority: Arrange your tasks from most to least critical to ensure important chores are done first.
3. Establish a Daily Routine
Consistency is key to maintaining cleanliness. Create a daily schedule that incorporates quick cleaning and organizing sessions. This could be as simple as spending 10 minutes tidying up each room in your house.
Morning Routine: Make the bed, open windows for light and fresh air, and tidy the immediate area.
Evening Routine: Declutter living spaces, prepare clothes for the next day, and tidy the kitchen.
4. Use Visual Reminders
Sticky notes or digital reminders can be a powerful tool. Place them in visible locations to nudge you towards completing cleaning tasks. Whether it’s a reminder on the bathroom mirror to wipe down surfaces or a phone alert to vacuum, visual cues help reinforce habits.
5. Incorporate the Two-Minute Rule

If a task can be completed in two minutes or less, do it immediately. This principle eliminates procrastination and keeps clutter from accumulating. Hang that coat, stack those papers, or sort that mail right away.
6. Create a Reward System
Motivate yourself by setting rewards for completing tasks or sticking to routines. This can be as simple as enjoying a piece of chocolate or taking a relaxing bath once you’ve finished tidying up.
7. Declutter Regularly
Commit to a decluttering session at least once a month. Choose a weekend to sort through belongings, donate items you no longer need, and organize what remains. This practice prevents clutter from building up and makes your regular cleaning much easier.
By implementing these tips, you’ll create a sustainable routine that encourages tidiness and organization in your environment. Habit stacking, list-making, and consistent routines, combined with decluttering and rewards, will help transform these chores into ingrained habits. Remember, the goal is progress—not perfection!
Need Help Getting Organized?
If you're struggling to implement these tips on your own or need help getting your home organized from the start, don't worry! Organizing can be overwhelming, and sometimes a little extra help can make all the difference.
Reach Out to Organize By Flo
At Organize By Flo, we're passionate about helping you create a space that reflects who you are and supports your lifestyle. Our team specializes in personalized organization solutions that are tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether it's tackling a cluttered closet or reorganizing your entire home, we're here to give you the support and guidance you need.
Why Choose Us?
- Customized Solutions: We work closely with you to develop an organizational system that fits your style and needs.
- Professional Experience: Our team has the skills and expertise to ensure effective and lasting organization.
- Stress-Free Process: We handle everything from planning to implementation, so you can enjoy a clutter-free space without the headache.
Ready to Get Started?
Don't hesitate to contact us today to see how we can transform your home into a well-organized haven. Whether you need a complete overhaul or just a bit of guidance, Organize By Flo is here to help you every step of the way.
I'm applauding every bit of these seven tips; they are the building blocks of keeping control over the wackiness of modern life. I use (and teach) all of these, but habit stacking is a magical gem. If there's one thing you always do (for me, it's having my Flintstones vitamin and OJ), then pairing it with a new habit (taking new meds, or unloading the dishwasher before breakfast) is the key to starting the habit stack! I live a life of lists and routines, so I'm right with you there, but perhaps I should learn to save my treats to use as rewards, as I tend to reward myself just for being me. Oops. ;-)
These are all great tips for keeping life from flying off of the rails. And even when life does go off the rails, having these types of systems and habits in place can be a real lifesaver. Things we do "automatically" are easier to maintain when our brains are under stress.
That two-minute rule is a good one to live by. Of course, if you have ten, 2-minute tasks, you may have o get picky. But often we overthink and delay simple tasks that we could have just taken care of and moved on, right?
Getting organized is one things, but maintaining those systems is the key. All of your suggestions for establishing regular maintenance habits are terrific.
I love when you can habit stack. It makes creating a new habit more seamless. I tagged onto my daily meditation practice with reading first thing. It happened easily and now I can't imagine NOT doing it.
Great tips! I add a sticky note in the back of my cellphone when I have to remember to take out the trash for the next day. Thanks for sharing!
These are all great tips. Having daily routines and pairing tasks (or task stacking) are terrific strategies to avoid the accumulation of clutter and (just as important) the overwhelming feeling that there's too much to do.