With the large majority of us currently spending more time at home than usual, it’s a good opportunity to tackle your overflowing closets and countertop clutter. Organizing not only makes your space look nicer, but it can actually help ease feelings of anxiety, make you more productive, and make it easier to disinfect and clean — things we could all use right now! Here are a few tips to keep you on track while you reorganize.

FIFO your pantry.

Now that your kitchen is stocked, make sure you’re not letting good food go bad! Take a page from the food services industry, and apply the rules of FIFO (First In, First Out) to your pantry. Organize your cabinets or pantry by storing items by their expiration dates, with the later dates at the back. Rearrange your drawers and cabinets by what you use every day, keeping items you use most frequently within easy reach. This helps minimize waste and makes it easy to find what you need. 

Kick out the clutter.

Things tend to pile up on the surfaces in your home, but clutter can actually lead to increased anxiety. Start by deciding if the items are still usable, or if they should be discarded (old mail, for example, can go straight into the recycling bin). Then, find a new home for items that you’re not using every day — a designated drawer, bin, or shelf. Take it one section of your home at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed. If it takes a few days (or weeks) that’s totally fine.

Create closet envy.

Crumpled clothes, mismatched socks, and those too-small jeans you’re keeping, just in case? Time to apply the Marie Kondo-approved rule: if you don’t (or won’t) wear it, it doesn’t belong in there. After you purge what needs to go, you can organize your clothes by activity, style, or color — just make sure to neatly fold and hang in a way that makes sense to you. Repair or repurpose what you can, and place the rest aside to be donated. Seasonal clothes can be folded in a separate storage bin to get them out of the way, too!

Add a little Feng Shui.

You may not be able to tear down walls or move your stove, but there are small ways to apply the basics of Feng Shui to your space. Having a clutter-free entryway, doors that open a full 90°, and keeping your windows clean is a good start. We also recommend adding some indoor houseplants and filling spaces with meaningful art and light. Get more Feng Shui decorating tips here. 

Designate space.

When confined to a smaller area like an apartment or shared home, it can feel impossible to get into the right headspace to relax. Try reorganizing your space by designating a specific room (or even just a corner) dedicated to relaxation — no phones, no laptops, and plenty of cozy pillows and blankets. Similarly, you can designate a spot just for your work setup. Having a space you know you can go to makes it easier to concentrate on the task at hand, whether it’s meditation or a company Zoom meeting.

Divide and conquer.

Don’t try to tackle your entire to-do list at once! Instead, focus on one space at a time, taking care to see each project through to completion. Not only will the organization be more effective, but you’ll feel an extra boost of accomplishment afterward.