Organizing Your Day (and Your Space) At Home to Help You Feel Good

Many us are spending a lot of time at home. The last time I spent so much time at home was in 2013 and 2014 when my first husband had metastatic bladder cancer.

It has reminded that even in so-called normal times (but, really, what’s normal about dealing with bladder cancer?), many bladder cancer patients spend a disproportionate amount of time at home.

If you have plenty of space and find your days well structured, that’s fantastic. This article is not for you. Otherwise, read on. This article will lay some groundwork for how to think about your days in your space. Part 2 will offer ideas for how to structure individual days in your space.

First, know yourself and your challenges

I have not typically been a person who needs a busy schedule and lots of structure to make my days feel normal. But even so, I have found myself challenged when required to spend a lot of time at home.

The key here is knowing yourself and what trips you up. I would describe my biggest challenge as “changing gears.” That is, shifting from one activity to another in order to do the variety of things I hope to do in a day.

For instance, say I decide I want to read for 30 minutes a day. Sometimes, I start enjoying it so much, I read for two hours. This isn’t necessarily bad. But having something of a “roadmap” can help ensure you get to everything you ideally want to do.

Stick with the plan to bring balance to your day

Sticking to your plan will help you feel balanced and avoid that sense of overwhelm you get when you binge a show for 6 hours and realize you haven’t made dinner, paid the bills, or sent key emails.

What do you find challenging about a day at home? Is it boundaries between work and fun time? Is it being easily distracted from work because you’re at home?

Think about what tends to derail your day or your plans. What are some possible simple solutions? In my reading example, I’ve found that setting a timer helps me shift gears.

Know the challenges of your space

Just as your habits and personality create challenges, so does your space.

I am writing this article in an 840 square foot city condominium that I share with my husband. We have one bedroom, one bathroom, and a kitchen that is smaller than the bathroom. As a result, I am motivated to find strategies that work!

What are your space challenges? Constant interruptions? Too many people working from home and slowing the Wifi? A home that wasn’t ready for the sudden shift to online living we’ve all had to make?

Whatever the challenge, think about possible fixes. List the fixes in small, doable steps. And ask for help if you need it.

Aim for consistency no matter your preferred wake and sleep times

We’ve all heard the advice that having a set bedtime and wake up time can help us rest better and feel better. I think we hear it so much because it works.

People often describe themselves as a “morning person” or a “night owl.” I would say I am a get-enough-sleep-person. I can adapt to any schedule as long as it is consistent.

Try consistency in your schedule whether you like to wake up early or stay up late. For me, early momentum in the day helps me get more done. But your momentum may be at midnight. What matters is you know when it is for you and you build your day around it.

That is the groundwork for thinking about your days in your space. In Part 2, I’ll suggest a framework for organizing daily activities and shifting the mood in your space for each part of the day.