How to Organise Your Life in a Weekend
Let’s face it: life admin is the worst. It lurks in the background of your mind, whispering things like, “Your wardrobe is a disaster,” or, “Have you even looked at your bank statements this year?” But what if I told you that you could wrestle your life into some semblance of order in just one weekend? Ambitious? Yes. Impossible? No.
Often, the thought of tackling all the life admin is overwhelming because it feels like it’s going to take forever – but the reality is usually less scary. So if you concentrate all the key tasks into a set time period, you can get through way more than you think. Enter the life organisation weekend. Here’s how to blitz through the chaos, declutter your home, tame your digital jungle, and set yourself up for long-term success—all in two days.
How to Organise Your Life in a Weekend
First of all, a quick reality check. No matter how you spin it, a weekend is just two days – and they’re probably your days off work. So before you begin, remember two things:
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1. Friday Night: The Prep Work
The key to success is preparation. If you want your weekend to be productive, you’ll need to spend Friday evening getting organised for… getting organised. Meta, right?
- Make a Plan
Grab a notebook or open a digital to-do list app. Jot down all the areas you want to tackle: home, digital life, finances, routines, and anything else that’s screaming for attention. Prioritise the big stuff and accept that you won’t fix everything. - Gather Supplies
Stock up on bin bags, storage boxes, cleaning supplies, snacks, and caffeine. You’ll thank yourself when you’re knee-deep in old receipts and need an energy boost. - Set the Mood
Create a playlist of upbeat tunes or binge a motivating podcast. You’ll need all the positive vibes you can get.
2. Saturday Morning: Declutter Your Home
You know the deal: a cluttered home equals a cluttered mind. Start with your physical space, because it will have a big impact and is the quickest way to feel like you’re making progress.
- Tackle One Room at a Time
Begin with the room you use the most, like your bedroom or kitchen. Use the tried-and-true Marie Kondo method: if it doesn’t spark joy (or at least usefulness), it’s out. - Set a Timer
Give yourself a strict time limit for each room. For example, 90 minutes for your bedroom. This keeps you focused and prevents the dreaded “Oh look, my old diary from 2008!” rabbit hole. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it. - Create Three Piles
This gives you an exit strategy for every item (because you won’t feel the benefit until the stuff is out of your space).- Keep
- Donate
- Bin
- Reorganise
Once you’ve decluttered, put things back in an orderly way. Invest in storage solutions like drawer dividers or shelf organisers to keep chaos at bay.
3. Saturday Afternoon: Conquer Your Digital Life
Your physical space is looking much better. Now it’s time to tackle the digital mess.
- Sort Your Emails
Unread emails are the digital equivalent of dirty dishes. Start by deleting junk and unsubscribing from newsletters you never read. Then create folders to organise what’s left. - Declutter Your Desktop
Is your computer desktop a graveyard of random files? Create folders for categories like “Work,” “Photos,” and “Miscellaneous” and file everything appropriately. - Backup Your Files
Use a cloud service like Google Drive, DropBox or an external hard drive to ensure your important documents are safe. While you’re at it, set up automatic backups. - Tidy Your Phone
Delete apps you never use and organise the ones you do into folders. Bonus points if you clear out blurry photos and all those memes you’ve saved “just in case.”
4. Saturday Evening: Finances
Now that your home and digital life are sorted, let’s talk money. Pour yourself a cup of tea (or a stiff drink), because this might be the part you dread the most. But it’ll be worth it.
- Review Your Bank Accounts
Log into your online banking and take a good, hard look at your spending. Are there subscriptions you’ve forgotten about? Streaming services you never use? Time to cancel them. - Create a Budget
Use an app like YNAB or a simple spreadsheet to outline your income and expenses. Be realistic but aim to save a little each month. - Plan for the Future
If you don’t already have one, start an emergency fund. Even a small amount set aside each month can make a big difference.
5. Sunday Morning: Build Better Habits
You’ve decluttered, tidied, and organised. Now it’s time to make sure things stay that way.
- Morning and Evening Routines
Create simple routines to bookend your day. For example:- Morning: Make your bed, check your calendar, and write down three priorities for the day.
- Evening: Tidy up, prep for tomorrow, and reflect on what went well.
- Weekly Reset
Choose a time each week to review your progress. Use it to declutter hot spots (like the post pile on the kitchen counter), update your budget, and plan the week ahead. - Habit Tracking
Use a journal or an app to track habits you want to build, like drinking more water, exercising, or spending less time on social media.
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6. Sunday Morning: Wellbeing and Self-Care
After all your hard work, it’s important to prioritise your mental and physical wellbeing.
- Create a Personal Space
Dedicate a small area in your home for relaxing activities, such as reading, journaling, or meditating. This could be as simple as a comfy chair with a cosy blanket. - Check in with Yourself
Reflect on how you’re feeling and jot down any thoughts or worries. This will help clear your mind and make you feel more in control. - Plan Healthy Habits
Use the morning to set achievable goals for your wellbeing. Whether it’s drinking more water, meal prepping healthy snacks, or scheduling a walk, small steps quickly add up.
7. Sunday Afternoon: Creative or Fun Projects
Spend some time on hobbies or personal projects that bring you joy and help you recharge.
- Tidy Your Hobby Supplies
Organise craft materials, tidy your bookshelf, or set up a system for your favourite pastimes. - Start a Small Project
Consider tackling something you’ve been meaning to do for ages, like creating a photo album, trying a new recipe, or making a Pinterest board for your next holiday. - Future Planning
Use this time to brainstorm long-term goals and break them into actionable steps. Write these down so you can revisit them later.
8. Sunday Evening: Monday Motivation Tips
End your weekend on a high note by prepping for the week ahead.
- Plan Your Outfits
Lay out a week’s worth of work outfits. This small step can save you precious time on groggy weekday mornings. - Pack Lunches or Snacks
Meal prep a few easy lunches or snacks to grab on busy days. - Set a To-Do List
Write down three key tasks for Monday. Knowing where to start can make easing into the week less daunting.
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How to Stop the Sunday Night Blues
That’s It! Celebrate Your Success
You’ve worked hard, and you deserve a reward. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath, a takeaway, or an hour of binge-watching your favourite show. Reflect on how far you’ve come—and how much easier life feels already.
By Monday morning, you won’t have a perfect life (spoiler: no one does), but you’ll be miles ahead of where you started. More importantly, you’ll have created the momentum you need to keep things ticking along. Here’s to a more organised you!
Free Download – 75 Family Activities to Enjoy This Weekend
Spend some quality family time this weekend with 75 activities you can all enjoy together, whether you’re staying in or heading out.
- Enjoying the Weekend at Home
- Getting Out & About
- Weekends Away
- Project Weekends
- Giving Back Weekends
- Learning Something New
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