Honestly, getting seriously organised has been my biggest life upgrade in recent years.
Don’t be mistaken, I’m NOT obsessed with colour-coded planners or spotless Instagram-worthy shelves (trust me, with kids running around, that ship sailed long ago). I am however obsessed with solid systems to cut out so much unnecessary stress, slash decision fatigue, and let everyday chaos feel way more manageable.
When you’re juggling running a business, raising little humans, and still trying to be a decent partner/friend/human, the real killer isn’t the huge crises, it’s the endless tiny decisions piling up every single day.
What’s for breakfast?
Where did the school bag disappear to this time?
What urgent thing did I forget yesterday?
Which task needs to happen first thing?
Did I turn the iron off?
A few years back, I realised what I desperately needed was fewer decisions to make in the first place.
So, I started treating my life organisation like a competitive sport: training my routines, prepping like it’s game day (go Crows!), and building habits that give me an edge.
Surprisingly, it didn’t make everything feel rigid or controlling. It actually made space feel lighter, freer, and more joyful.
Here’s what genuinely works for me as a busy mum and entrepreneur: Real, imperfect systems that help reduce decision fatigue and create calmer days.
Bags Packed the Night Before
Gym bag, school bags, water bottles, lunch boxes (sometimes)! Everything gets prepped before lights out.
Mornings are sacred energy. Wasting them hunting for lost items or last-minute packing just starts the day on the back foot. Getting prepped the night before creates instant calm and sets a winning tone.
Everything That Can Be Labelled, Gets Labelled
Pantry containers, lunch boxes, toy bins, storage tubs, you name it.
The pretty aesthetics are great, and it hurts my eyes less, so bonus if it looks nice, but it’s more about clarity: everyone knows exactly where things live, we spot low stock fast, and no one wastes time guessing. Family organisation systems like this remove friction for the whole household.
Tech Takes the Mental Load
Google Home (or whatever voice assistant you use) is my secret weapon. Shopping lists, reminders, random notes, they all live there.
The second something pops into my head, I just say it out loud. My brain no longer has to hold everything. Huge win for reducing decision fatigue.
Auto-Reorder the Boring Essentials
Toilet paper, laundry powder, dishwasher tabs, anything predictable goes on subscription auto-pilot.
Why spend mental energy weekly on the same basics? Automating these frees up headspace for bigger, more meaningful decisions.
Book Appointments Months Ahead
Haircuts, dentist check-ups, any recurring personal admin, I lock them in way early.
Future-me is always grateful when life gets hectic and those slots are already secured. It’s one of those simple time management for entrepreneurs tricks that pays off big.
Family Calendar Rules Everything
I plug what my kids are doing through the year first, holidays, sport, everything. Then work gets scheduled around life, not the reverse.
Colour-coding makes it visually clear at a glance. This single habit kills so much last-minute panic and keeps the whole family synced.
Every Backpack Has a Drop Zone
Designated hooks or spots right by the door or laundry for each person’s bag (including my gym bag!)
It sounds basic, but it eliminates the daily “Where’s my bag?!” drama and keeps mornings smooth.
Outfits Chosen the Night Before
Kids’ clothes laid out, my outfit (especially) picked, and done before bed.
This means my morning brain stays in low-power mode. No scrolling through the wardrobe or negotiating outfits at 7 a.m. These small daily routines for busy parents compound fast.
One Pending Tray for All Paperwork
Bills, school notes, forms, everything funnels into one clear tray on my desk (or my white board). No more papers scattered across counters or lost in bags. When I have focused time, I tackle the tray. Simple, but game-changing for staying organised.
Nightly Reset Ritual
Quick 10-15 minute tidy: toys away, benches wiped, dishes loaded. Not perfection, just reset. This means waking up to a calm space instead of chaos changes everything. It’s like giving yourself a head start in the morning “competition.”
Breakfast Prepped Ahead
Overnight oats, chia puddings, batch home-made granola = healthy options ready to grab.
Mornings feel slower and less rushed. Everyone eats better without the scramble.
Look, I know this might read like a lot.
But organising my life this way is about me building capacity.
With these life organisation tips and systems in place, there’s less frantic rushing, way less decision fatigue, and so much more energy left for what actually lights me up: time with the kids, deep work on the business, creative moments, and just being present.
Organisation has made my life calmer, more spacious, and honestly, way more enjoyable.
And in the middle of the beautiful mess of family + business life, that calm? That’s the real win.
What about you, any go-to hacks that help you tame the daily chaos? I’d love to hear in the comments!
