Let’s be honest. Life is full. During work, family, unexpected confusion (why appliances break down during busy weeks), and general daily juggling, it can be hard to feel like you’re on top of what you’ve been up to now. But here is the secret I’ve learned over 20 years that helped people settle in their homes. Life feels light when your home is organized.
I am Joe Jacob, the founder of the Venella Home Organization. For over 20 years I have worked with my family, busy professionals, downscissors and people navigating life after losing. I have helped people to dig into the mess of years, clearing up the house after bereavement and setting up a calm and functional space after moving the house. And this is what I’ve seen over and over again. A messy, well organized home gives you breathing space not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
So today I share some of my best tried and tested tips to help you create that calm without being overwhelmed. Here are my 8 top tips for a stress-free life:
1. Start small and stay consistent
If you’re staring at a house thinking, “Where do we start?”, then you’re going to start: one drawer, one shelf, one surface. that’s it.
Don’t try to tackle the whole house over the weekend. This is a one-way burnout ticket. Instead, I love what I call “the kettle boils properly.” It takes five minutes to boil the kettle or dinner dishes to organize one small area. You will be surprised that you can get through with those little time pockets. If boiling water taps to like music, place your favorite playlist and clear one or two songs.
2. Set up a system that works for you
It’s not about making your home look like a Pinterest board (unless it brings joy to you!). It’s about setting up a system that will make your daily life even smoother.
That might mean:
Post a tray by the door for the keys and a labeled basket on everyone’s shoes, and drawers just for takeout menus, batteries, and candles (yes, there’s one if intentional!)
When everything is in the place, you will spend less time and more time. I hope that when other members of the household know where the location is, they will be called to answer, “Where am I?”
3. Give yourself permission to let go
One of the biggest emotional obstacles I see is guilt. Guilt over throwing away gifts you don’t use, letting go of baby clothes from a teenager now, or cleaning up inherited items you don’t love.
This is your permission slip: you are not a museum.
Your home needs to reflect your present and support your future – not just keeping your past. Protect what brings joy to you or serves your purpose. Kindly let go of the rest. I’m not a Marie Condo convert, but if it works for you, you can say “thank you” to the item when you go.
4. Dietary plans to minimize daily stress
It’s not just the cupboards and wardrobe that need to be organized. The dinner dilemma is real. Planning your weekly meals can greatly reduce stress, save money, and prevent the fridge stare session at 5pm.
Every Sunday, it takes 10 minutes to write down a week’s dinner and create a shopping list from there. Include an organizeable prompt with a downloadable meal planner and gently organize it as you go (think: clean the spice rack while something simmers in the hob!).
5. Create a gentle zone
Even if the rest of the house is a bit confusing (real life happens!), create a small, calm zone. Maybe it’s your bedside table, a corner of the kitchen, or your favorite reading chair. Make it transparent, messy, nice and nice.
Just one space that feels calm and when everything else feels a little more, it’s enough to center you.
6. Don’t wait for the perfect time
Spoiler alert: That’s not the case. Life suddenly slows down and doesn’t give you the ideal moment of organizing. It starts incompletely. Have a drawer today. Tomorrow’s cupboard. It all adds up.
Always progress beyond perfection.
7. Use the right tools
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a stress-free life, but some important items make a big difference.
Transparent jar – Labeled (Perfect for snacks, pasta, and anything) Velvet hanger – Slim, powerful and wonderful wicker basket – To hide confusion while making simple weekly planners look stylish –
If you need a headstart, there are plenty of printable tools and checklists on the Etsy store.
News Alerts – Don’t buy storage before you get organized! It just becomes a cluttered pile of corners, so always clear it first, find something you can reuse and buy what you need.
8. Treat your organization as self-care
We often think of tidying as a chore, but it can be an incredibly nurtured act. You are creating the space for the life you want. You are creating your homework for you. You are giving your future self a little more peace.
You deserve it.
Final Thoughts
An organized home does not mean a perfect home. I certainly are not. But it means a space that feels good to support your busy life, and it welcomes you at the end of a long day.
Embracing a stress-free life, feel light and calm, start small, stay consistent, and most importantly, be kind to yourself along the way.
Author’s Bio
Jo Jacob is a professional organizer with over 20 years of experience helping busy professionals, families and home movers regain order in their lives. Her expertise ranges from tidying up the house and organizing documents to managing sentimental memorabilia and photos. She specializes in moving and downsizing her home.
Jo shares home and life tips and tricks across social media platforms.
