For many people, getting organized sits right at the top of the New Year’s resolution list. If you’re one of the many who promised yourself that this would be the year you finally feel more organized, you’re not alone.

There are lots of ways to turn that resolution into reality, and you won’t be surprised to hear that having some kind of roadmap makes a big difference. But before you pull out bins, labels, or a color-coded plan, I want to pause you right here.

Let’s talk about perfection.

Because aiming for perfection is one of the fastest ways to burn out—and quietly abandon your goals by February.

Instead, I invite you to consider a much gentler (and far more sustainable) idea: being organized enough.

“Organized enough” is a widely embraced organizing philosophy that focuses on reducing overwhelm and prioritizing sustainability over perfectionism.

What does organized enough look like for you?

To explore this, let’s use one of the busiest spaces in most homes as our example.

An “Organized Enough” Roadmap: The Kitchen

1. Identify High-Impact Zones

Start by focusing on the areas that cause the most frustration or see the most daily use. These are the spots that will give you the biggest return on your effort.

Common high-impact kitchen zones include:

The main counter or “command central”
The mail drop zone
The pantry
Even the sink

You don’t need to tackle the whole kitchen at once. One zone is enough to get started.

**2. Define What “Enough” Means—for Your Household**

This is where perfectionism loosens its grip. Take into account your family’s needs, habits, and challenges. What feels realistic to maintain?

Example 1: The Mail Center

For many homes, organized enough doesn’t mean filing mail the second it comes through the door. It might look like:

Clearing the counter daily
Sorting mail once a week

Sundays often work well, since there’s usually no mail delivery. If your system is set up ahead of time, this entire process shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.

A simple mail routine could look like this:

Open mail
Sort into piles: junk, bills, tax info, and miscellaneous (coupons, menus, magazines)
Take action:

Recycle junk mail and shred anything with sensitive information
Put miscellaneous items in their designated spots (coupons in a drawer, magazines on the coffee table, etc.)
File important papers using folders you’ve already set up for your needs

Done. No color coding required.

Example 2: The Pantry

In the pantry, organized enough means being able to put groceries away easily and find what you need quickly—even if every label isn’t facing forward.

One simple way to set your household up for success is to label shelves or bins by category. When everyone knows where snacks, baking items, or breakfast foods belong, groceries get put away faster and questions like “Where does this go?” all but disappear.

Actionable, Imperfect Steps

Rather than committing to a full weekend overhaul, focus on small habits that support maintenance.

The Five-Minute Reset

This works in any room, but it’s especially effective in the kitchen. Set a timer for five minutes at the end of the day (or whenever makes sense for you) and simply return items to where they belong.

This might mean tossing shoes into a basket near the door. Are they perfectly lined up? No. Are they contained and easy to deal with tomorrow? Yes—and that’s the goal.

The Collection Container

Keep a basket or bin nearby for items that don’t belong in the kitchen. During your five-minute reset, drop them into the container and return them to their “homes” later in the evening.

In my house, my kid’s socks seem to magically migrate to the kitchen, and this container keeps them from becoming part of the clutter.

Sustaining the “Organized Enough” Mindset

Maintaining a space consistently is far more impactful than spending one exhausting weekend a year trying to organize everything at once.

Life happens. Mess happens. Disorganization is part of being human—and it’s temporary. The goal isn’t to avoid mess entirely; it’s to recover quickly.

When things feel off track, take a moment to reflect. What changed? What system stopped working? That insight helps you adjust rather than give up.

Another helpful tool is scheduling maintenance—whether that’s a recurring calendar reminder or a simple nudge in your reminder app.

You’ll know you’re succeeding at being organized enough not because your home looks magazine-ready, but because you feel calmer and more supported in your space.

Good Enough for a Great Year

Choosing “organized enough” over perfection creates room for relief, flexibility, and real progress. It allows your systems to support your life—not compete with it.

As you move through January, try applying this mindset to just one other area of your home: a bathroom linen closet, a nightstand, or your home office desk. Start small, define what enough looks like, and let that be sufficient.

Long-term success doesn’t come from rigid rules or flawless systems. It comes from self-compassion, adaptability, and allowing your home to work for the season of life you’re in.

Here’s to a year that feels organized enough—and genuinely good.

If you’re in the Boston area and finding that even getting started feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do this alone. As a professional home organizer, I support individuals and families with realistic, sustainable organizing—whether that looks like decluttering a kitchen, downsizing for a move, or creating systems that actually work for real life.

If you’re curious about what organized enough could look like in your home, I’d be happy to connect. Sometimes a little guidance goes a long way.

Organized Enough vs. Perfection