It is very easy to remember the arrangement of tangible things like your bed, the living room, your office, or the attic. Yes, these places do get messy and need to be decluttered every day. Letting go of things that no longer serve you can be difficult in order to get organized on the inside. However, internal organization is key to taking charge of your life, letting of things that are no more working and creating a happier, more fulfilling existence.
4 ways to get organized on the inside
Indeed, you should not limit your understanding of organization to tangible things alone. Even your thoughts, your mind, and everything in between need decluttering and rearrangement. The truth is that you cannot fully attain complete orderliness on the outside until the inside is no longer messy.
Here is how to get organized in life and intentionally pull yourself together:
Create a vision board.
The first thing to do is to create a visual representation of how you wish to arrange your life for the coming year. Things can never be certain; there are bumps along the way. But devising a vision board will keep you focused despite the storm. On your vision board, answer these questions:
- What are the goals you want to achieve?
- What do you want to do today?
- Where do you want to go?
- How do you want to get there?
- Where do you need to be?
- What do you need to get away from?
- What do you need to get closer to?
Set your priorities.
The second thing you need to do is set your priorities straight. If you don’t have a list of things you don’t do, you will end up doing everything. If you don’t have principles, people will give them to you. You need to remove things you know are not in line with your goals and input things you need to start focusing on. Make a list; it is better to write these things down than to attempt them randomly as they occur to you.
Put yourself first.
It is easy to think about work, career, and goals, but forget about yourself. If you don’t have a work-life balance, you are not in control. Getting organized also entails making time for yourself. Learn to put yourself and your ideals first: this can be in the form of a vacation, taking the time to meditate, or even creating some downtime to rejuvenate or indulge in a hobby.
Let go of the things that no longer serve you.
It might be relatively easier to let go of things, but many find it hard to let people go, especially if they are old friends or family members. Setting boundaries and maintaining distance from toxic family members or friends can often be seen as disrespectful or arrogant. However, remember that you are not responsible for how others feel. What you are responsible for is how you let them go. Do it with love and only with good intentions. They are not necessarily bad for you; they are just going in a different direction, which is also okay.
Pull yourself together to get organized on the inside
Letting go of things and getting organized on the inside can prove to be difficult. However, it is necessary to live purposefully and with direction on a daily basis. The earlier you start, the better. Get organized with your thoughts, and then take action from a place of self-awareness and intentionality. Sometimes, you have to stop volunteering until you get yourself together.
Here are some factors to consider when trying to get your life organized on the inside:
- People respect you more when you are clear about yourself and your goal – when you have your priorities set.
- Healthy boundaries are important. However, remember to be humble and respectful while implementing them.
- Practice the art of positive communication.
- Pull yourself together and prioritize your needs. Loving or caring for someone doesn’t necessarily mean granting them complete control over your time.