Organizational Tips to Help You ‘Get it Together’

Does it ever seem to you like life keeps moving faster and faster? Funeral professionals often see families scramble when someone has left behind a pile of unhandled business they could not keep up with during their lifetime. And, after loss and grief, it can take time to develop new routines and habits, especially if you’ve lost a spouse or other close family member. No matter where you are in life, it never hurts to have some simple “hacks” to make yourself more organized and less stressed, setting yourself up for success in life as well as death.

With a few strategies, you can improve your day-to-day routine and help reduce the burden on your loved ones when you go.

We’ve put together a list of easy-to-achieve steps to help organize your home, schedule, and more.

The ‘One Minute Rule’

Gretchen Rubin, the author of the book “The Happiness Project,” suggests that if you see something that can be done in a minute or less, do it immediately. Rubin writes, “It’s very simple: I must do any task that can be finished in one minute. Hang up my coat, read a letter and toss it, fill in a form, answer an email, note down a citation, pick up my phone messages, file a paper, put a dish in the dishwasher, replenish the diaper supply by the changing table, put the magazines away…and so on.” The benefit to the One Minute Rule is that you spend no time deciding on priorities, Rubin explains. She says in the past, by having to choose, she often felt she’d made the wrong decision.

‘OHIO’ Is More Than a State

One of the most challenging organizing pitfalls is needless repetition in everyday chores. Do you take the clothes out of the dryer, pile them into a laundry basket, and then move the basket three or four times before folding and putting them away? 

Try to follow the “OHIO” rule: Only Handle It Once. The time you think you’re saving by delaying the result – in this example, having clean clothes to wear – actually takes more time, not to mention frustration. When you take something out, put it back where it belongs. 

Follow the One-Year Rule 

Some of us have difficulty parting with clothes, shoes, and accessories that we haven’t worn, but we promise ourselves that we will someday. Experts often recommend letting go of these items after one year if you live in a one- or two-season climate (like Florida). It might be reasonable to allow two years if you live in a four-season climate.

There isn’t a timeline for deciding when to sort or donate clothes and other belongings after a loved one passes. You might want to store or pack them away until you feel ready. We have more advice on what to keep (or not) of your loved one’s things.

Use a Meal Planner 

Planning your meals a week or a month ahead benefits your health and your household budget. Start by taking a quick food inventory in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. You can get the entire family involved in filling the menu planner for all three main meals or focus on dinner (when everyone is more likely to eat together). Knowing what you’ll need makes grocery shopping more economical. 

Meal planning also encourages grieving people to eat regularly and nutritiously. Grief can be disorientating, warping time and routine. Having a meal that is ready to cook and enjoy at the end of the day is comforting. 

Declutter Physical and Virtual Files

Get your cell phone, tablet, and computer organized by tossing out-of-date emails, old downloads, and folders you no longer need. Back up the critical stuff to cloud storage or an external hard drive. After you declutter your digital devices, you’ll see an improvement in speed and processing.

If your loved one’s phone is deactivated but in good condition, consider donating it to a women’s shelter or other organization that collects used cell phones.

Track Your Habits

We recommend keeping your goals reasonable and attainable. That way, you can celebrate your achievements. For example, if you want to exercise more, download a step counter app for your phone or smartwatch. 

You can also get an accountability buddy. You’re more likely to stick to a healthy routine when you have someone equally invested in the same goal or who provides gentle encouragement when you need it.

Make Short-Term and Long-Term Plans 

Now is the time to plan for fun and happy times (trip to Europe, a wedding) and the unwanted but inevitable (illness, aging). While deciding how to divide your estate or custody of minor children isn’t enjoyable, it will give you and your family peace of mind. It is better to make these decisions calmly and with foresight. Ask a trusted family member, friend, or attorney to act as your official advocate surrogate if you cannot make decisions about your health, money, or children. 

Getting Your ‘Affairs in Order’

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), being prepared and having documents in a single place can help give you peace of mind, reduce the burden on loved ones, and ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. Among the documents and information you need to collect and store are:

• Financial: A will, a living trust, a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
• Healthcare: A Living Will, a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
• Organ Donation: Consider registering online or with your Department of Motor Vehicles

Plan Your Own Funeral

Planning your own funeral means you can decide now about things like:

• What kind of funeral or memorial service you’d like
• Whether you’d like to have a cremation without a service
• Where a service, ceremony, or party should be held
• Whether you’d like to be buried or cremated
• Whether you’d want your family to keep your body’s ashes or scatter them in a favorite place
• Whether you’d like certain religious, spiritual, or cultural traditions involved
• Whether you’d like to make your plans with a funeral home or a low-cost provider
• Whether you’d like to pay ahead or put the money aside.

If you arrange for a prepaid cremation or make other arrangements, be sure to keep your documents where family members can find them.

Planning Ahead with Prepaid Direct Cremation

Whether you are making plans for a loved one or yourself, Tulip offers these helpful prepaid direct cremation and other cremation planning tips. Tulip makes it easy to get organized. You can get an instant quote in seconds and complete your arrangements online or over the phone.

Resources for Planning Ahead

We know that grief and loss make it more challenging to plan ahead. Yet getting organized helps restore purpose and comfort in everyday tasks. In our expert advice section, you’ll find a complete resource library on end-of-life planning, closing social media accounts, and more.