Creating New Habits That Actually Stick (and Help You Stay Organised)

January often arrives with that fresh-start energy. New planners, big goals, and the best of intentions. But by February, many of us have quietly drifted back into old patterns, wondering where our motivation went.

The truth is, lasting change isn’t about willpower; it’s about building habits that work with your real life. And when it comes to staying organised, it’s the small, consistent habits that make the biggest difference.

Here’s how to create habits that actually stick and how to use them to bring more calm and order into your days.

1. Start Small — Really Small

One of the most common mistakes people make when starting a new habit is going too big, too soon.

If you set out to completely reorganise your life overnight, you’ll burn out fast. But if you focus on one tiny step, you build consistency. And consistency builds results.

For example:

• Instead of “I’ll keep the house tidy,” try “I’ll clear the kitchen counters before bed.”

• Instead of “I’ll declutter every weekend,” try “I’ll sort one drawer each Saturday.”

Once the small habit becomes automatic, you can naturally build on it. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.

2. Attach New Habits to Existing Routines

One of the easiest ways to create a new habit is to piggyback it onto something you already do. This is called habit stacking (a concept popularised by James Clear in Atomic Habits).

You simply connect a new behaviour to an established one, like this:

• “After I make my morning coffee, I’ll check my to-do list.”

• “After I brush my teeth, I’ll spend five minutes putting clothes away.”

• “After I log off work, I’ll tidy my desk ready for tomorrow.”

This approach works because it uses your brain’s existing patterns. You’re not forcing a totally new routine, just adding a small action to one that’s already there.

3. Make It Visible

If you’re a visual person, reminders and cues are powerful. Leaving a note on your fridge, setting a phone reminder, or keeping your planner open on the counter can all help reinforce a habit.

For example:

• Keep your laundry basket visible so clothes don’t end up on the floor.

• Leave your reusable bags by the door or in your car to make eco-friendly shopping automatic.

• Use colour-coded labels or Post-its for your daily priorities.

When your environment supports your intentions, staying organised becomes much easier.

4. Celebrate Small Wins

Our brains love rewards, even tiny ones. Acknowledging progress (no matter how small) helps habits stick.

You could:

• Tick off a daily checklist.

• Treat yourself to a nice coffee after finishing a home reset.

• Pause and notice how much calmer your space feels after a quick tidy.

These little celebrations build positive reinforcement. You start associating organisation with feeling good, not with stress or obligation.

5. Prepare for Slips — They’re Normal

No one sticks to new habits perfectly. Life gets busy, energy dips, and things slip through the cracks. That’s okay. The key is not to start over, but to restart quickly.

If you miss a day, don’t give up. Simply reset and carry on. One missed habit doesn’t erase your progress; it’s part of the process.

Try this mindset shift: instead of “I failed,” think “I’m practising.” It keeps you motivated and kind to yourself, both of which are crucial for lasting change.

6. Link Habits to How You Want to Feel

It’s easier to stay consistent when your habits are tied to a deeper reason. Rather than focusing on “getting organised” as a task, think about how it makes you feel: calm, capable, and in control.

For example:

• You don’t tidy the kitchen just to have clean counters; you do it so your mornings start stress-free.

• You don’t plan your week just to tick boxes; you do it to create space for the things that matter.

When habits align with your values, they stop feeling like chores and start feeling like self-care.

New habits don’t require a total life overhaul, just small, intentional steps that make your days run more smoothly. Whether it’s putting your keys in the same place every day, resetting your living room before bed, or doing a five-minute tidy after dinner, these small moments of order add up over time.

Start small. Stay kind to yourself. And remember: every little habit you build is a quiet investment in a calmer, more organised you.