How to Get Your Life in Order (Without Adding More Overwhelm)

You know that feeling when you wake up and you’re already dreading the day ahead because you just can’t deal with all of the adulting you have to do?

You’re overwhelmed with the number of unfinished projects, undone chores, and overdue bills. From work to family commitments to personal health to that side hustle you keep meaning to nurture, it feels like there are never enough hours in a day.

If this sounds familiar, first take a deep breath and forgive yourself. You’re just one person. Life piles up, and feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make you a bad or lazy adult. It makes you human.

The good news: you don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight. You just need a few steadying steps to remind yourself that you can regain a sense of order, move past the overwhelm and feel more in control.

A Helpful Reminder Before You Begin

Before you start tackling a list of things to get your life in order, you should take a moment to remind yourself to take things one step, one day at a time.

It’s tempting to want a clean slate right away. But everything that feels messy didn’t pile up in one day, and it won’t disappear in one day either.

So instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress. Take things one step, one day at a time. Being gentle with yourself and learning to prioritize will matter just as much as any habit or system you put in place.

33 Ideas to Get Your Life in Order

I am a huge fan of an occasional life audit (or two), but sometimes what you really need is a few small wins to remind yourself you can get back on track. Below are practical shifts that have helped me feel more steady when things start to unravel. They’re not quick fixes — but they’re simple enough to start today.

In the list below, what you’ll find is a mix of simple wins you can try today and habits that, over time, help bring more ease and order into daily life.

Clear the Mental Clutter

When your mind feels scattered, it’s almost impossible to know where to start.

• Do a mind dump. Write down everything — worries, reminders, half-formed ideas. Clearing mental space is half the battle.
• Make a plan of action. Break bigger tasks into smaller chunks. A step-by-step list makes them less intimidating.
• Plan for the next day. Before bed, spend five minutes mapping out tomorrow. Waking up with a plan brings calm instead of chaos.
• Build a note-taking habit. Carry a notebook or use your phone to capture thoughts as they come. Review at the end of the day and decide what really needs attention.
• Set up reminders for events. Birthdays, anniversaries, special events — put it all down in a calendar system with enough notice before the actual event (so that you can prepare appropriately).
• Write down your goals and make them visible. It’s one thing to think about what you want, but putting it on paper makes it real. Post your goals somewhere you’ll see them often, like on your fridge, inside your planner, or even as your phone wallpaper. The reminder helps you stay focused on the life you’re trying to build.
• Reduce repetitive decisions. Decision fatigue is real. The more small choices you make in a day, the harder it is to focus on what matters. Simplify where you can — plan meals in advance, set routines, or streamline your wardrobe — so your energy goes toward the things that actually need it.

Support Your Energy

It’s hard to “get life in order” when you’re running on empty.

• Go to bed earlier. Everything feels heavier when you’re sleep-deprived. A regular bedtime is an underrated self-care move.
• Move your body. Exercise doesn’t need to mean the gym. A short walk, stretches, or even dancing in your living room can lift your energy.
• Drink more water. It’s a simple but rather effective habit. Hydration can ease fatigue more than another cup of coffee.
• Make meal-planning a regular habit. Start by planning two or three days at a time. Once that feels comfortable, stretch it to four or five days, and eventually work up to a full week.
• Eat enough protein. Skipping out on protein can leave you sluggish and constantly hungry. Adding more to your meals helps stabilize energy and focus throughout the day.
• Take a nap when you need it. A short rest can recharge your energy and help you return to your day with more clarity.

Create Supportive Systems

Often, it’s not the “big things” that break us down — it’s the pileup of small, disorganized details.

• Tidy as you go. Washing dishes after a meal or putting things back before bed keeps the mess from multiplying.
• Declutter in small doses. Choose one space to tackle at a time, such as your purse, fridge, your downloads folder, or newsletter subscriptions. Each cleared area, physical or digital, helps create a more supportive environment.
• Cancel subscriptions that you never use. The saved time and money are worth the peace of mind of knowing you’re not wasting your hard-earned cash on things you don’t use regularly.
• Use a planner. Digital or paper doesn’t matter. What matters is having one place to track what needs your attention. I personally don’t have a full-fledged planner, but instead, use a Google Sheets file that acts as somewhat of a catch-all.
• Build routines and rituals. A morning tea, an evening clean-up, or a weekly reset day helps anchor you when life feels shaky.
• Limit multitasking. I used to brag about multitasking on my resume, but now I know better! Doing one thing at a time is far more efficient (and far less exhausting). And looks like the world of productivity optimization also seems to agree with that sentiment.
• Set up dedicated ‘stations’ around the house. Keep items that belong together in the same spot — like all your coffee supplies in one corner or your workout gear in a single basket. Having everything in its place saves you the time and energy of hunting things down when you need them.

Protect Your Mental and Emotional Health

When you take care of your inner well-being, the external things become easier to carry.

• Talk to someone you trust. Whether it’s a therapist, counselor, or mentor, having a safe space to share can reveal perspectives you might not find on your own.
• Step away from the scroll. Even a short break from social media can ease comparison and help you feel more present in your own life.
• Stay connected. A simple dinner or phone call with someone who knows you well can remind you that you’re not alone in the hard stuff. Maintaining deep social connections is, in fact, one of the key pillars of a good life.
• Give yourself real downtime. A few hours without chores, work, or responsibility can recharge you far more than pushing through ever could.
• Let yourself laugh. In my books, joy is a necessary life force that keeps you moving forward. Whether it’s silly videos, a favorite show, or that friend who always makes you laugh, lean into the moments that lighten your spirit.

Build Stability for the Long Term

Once you’ve caught your breath, it helps to put steady foundations in place. These aren’t flashy changes, but they make life feel less fragile when challenges come up.

• Review your money habits. Experiment and figure out a money management system that works for you. Ramit Sethi, Morgan Housel, and @friendsthatinvest have been instrumental in rewiring my money habits in the last couple of years.
• Build an emergency fund. Even saving a small amount regularly creates peace of mind and gives you a buffer when the unexpected happens.
• Automate your finances. Set up automatic transfers for savings and schedule bill payments so they happen without you needing to remember each one. Future you will thank you for not having to worry about missed due dates or forgotten transfers.
• Be up-to-date on your insurance policies. In case of any incidents, having your insurance policies’ current and next of kin/emergency/nominee details in place will make things a lot smoother for you and your family.
• Stay current on health/dental checkups. Regular appointments can catch small issues before they become bigger problems. Think of it as maintenance for your body that saves stress and effort in the long run.
• Delegate when you can. You don’t have to carry everything yourself. Sharing the load frees up time and energy for what truly matters.
• Seek inspiration actively. Spend time with the stories of people you admire — whether that’s reading memoirs, listening to interviews, or following thoughtful conversations. Seeing how others navigate challenges can spark new ideas and remind you that there are many ways to build a meaningful life.
• Practice gratitude and joy-spotting. A daily note of what you’re thankful for, or a running list of what makes you happy, can shift your perspective when life feels heavy.

Getting your life in order isn’t about seeking perfection or living without mess. It’s about creating enough steadiness that you don’t feel swallowed by the chaos. Start with 1 or 2 ideas and add more as you build up the momentum.

Do you have any more tips to add to this list of things to do to get your life in order? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!