Here’s something you might not have considered: the first step to establishing a sustainable wellness routine is to calm the chaos.

Before diving headfirst into a new workout schedule, weight loss plan or lifestyle makeover, you need to create order and make space for what will follow.

Why? It’s simple.

For most people, outer order promotes inner calm while visual clutter reduces your ability to concentrate and complete tasks.

By taking just a little bit of time to consider and prepare before taking new action you will find it much easier to create sustainable change and feel more positive to take the next step forward into unknown territory (aka eating more vegetables and exercising every day)!

This is the case for me, at least.

I don’t know if it’s the chicken or the egg, but when I get overwhelmed my house gets messy and when my house gets messy I feel overwhelmed. 

The ripple effect of my disorganization leads me to reach for takeout menus more often, skip workouts and just generally feel bleh. 

On the flip side, having an organized space makes it easy to stick to routines, create positive new changes, and feel at ease and relaxed in my home environment, which is enormously beneficial when it comes to health and self-care.

And while I certainly don’t live in a state of perfect organization — I have a toddler and a tendency to “gather” creative tasks and hobbies — I do know how to reinstall order pretty quickly when need be and that’s what I’ll walk you through now.

Here’s the breakdown:

Prepare for upgraded nutrition habits in the kitchen:

• Toss any expired food (make a mental note to not overbuy again)
• Donate canned and boxed goods that you don’t plan to eat
• Organize the pantry and stock the shelves with healthy staples like olive oil, whole grain pasta, low sugar sauces (pasta, curry, enchilada), beans and dark chocolate, just to name a few!
• Wipe out the fridge and fill the freezer with vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread, fish, pre-cooked quinoa or rice, and any other quick-meal staples that you like

Here’s an old tutorial on how to store your fresh produce for maximum freshness.

Make a serene sleep space in the bedroom:

• Clear odds-and-ends to reduce visual clutter
• Put away clothes, get on top of laundry and review your storage solutions
• Open the windows to let in some fresh air and Vitamin D.
• Consider incorporating beeswax candles and/or indoor plants in your bedroom and living spaces; they’re calming and have air-purifying properties

Make the bathroom a place for pampering and relaxation:

• Clear out anything that has expired or donate unopened items that you don’t plan to use
• Wipe down countertops
• Arrange your favorite products for easy access
• Bring plants and flowers into this room if you have space
• Stop buying new products until you’ve finished what you already own — clean beauty is minimal beauty

The living room vibe should be relaxed and comforting — is yours a welcoming place to unwind?

• Put away anything that might cause you to stress, such as work documents, bills, half-folded laundry, etc
• Open windows, update family photos, toss a comforting throw onto the lounge
• Consider the arrangement of your furniture — does it flow? Do you have room to move about?
• Grab a new book from the library and put it on the side table for evening reads

Block out just 30 minutes this week to get on top of your clutter and I’ll bet you’ll feel more organized, calm and ready to take the next step towards establishing, upgrading or simply maintaining your healthy living routine.

Let’s wrap this up with a choose-your-own-adventure ending.
Select where you want to go below:

Make meal prep easier
5 things to do tonight (and enjoy tomorrow even more)
How to create a 90-day meal plan
How to start a regular exercise routine today

As always, my mission is to get you back in the driver’s seat of your own health and happiness, so please let me know how I can help. 

With love,
Jennifer Dene