When you’re misusing drugs or alcohol, your entire day is focused on managing your chemical dependency. Once you have experienced recovery success, it’s time to get a grip on your finances, bill paying, home maintenance and other tasks by learning new workflows and organizational strategies. Getting organized relieves stress and helps you develop healthy patterns that coincide with your new lease on life.

Get started—and get organized—with these 5 simple tips.

1. Write everything down. It’s easy to forget dates, therapy appointments and other details when your life gets hectic. Choose a paper planner or a digital app that sends you periodic reminders. Select the option that suits your personality, since you’ll be less likely to use something that’s outside your comfort zone.
2. Use color-coding. Color coding is an easy way to make sense of a hectic schedule, since it allows you to see categories of related items at a glance. Choose one color for each person in your household or use different colors to separate work, personal, and recovery-related appointments.
3. Devote 15 minutes per day to tidying up. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when your living space is cluttered, but devoting just 15 minutes per day to putting items in their proper spot makes life feel more manageable. Set a timer, listen to a podcast or turn on some music while you take 15 minutes to clear out the hotspots on your desks or countertops.
4. Follow the one in, one out purchase rule. Stop clutter in its tracks by making an effort to sell, donate or give away one item for each new item you bring into your home. This method is often used to control closet clutter, but it is easily be applied to any room where you have a limited amount of storage space.
5. Streamline your morning routine. Mornings can be hard, but getting out the door is easier if you take time to choose an outfit, pack a lunch and gather your things the night before. You may also want to get in the habit of making a to-do list for the following day right before you go to bed.

Learning Life Skills in Recovery

Guardian IOP understands the importance of life skills development as part of a comprehensive outpatient program for drug and alcohol misuse. During your time at Guardian, you’ll learn the skills you need for a successful sober lifestyle while keeping up with career and family responsibilities. To request insurance verification or learn more about our drug and alcohol dependency programs, contact our credentialed team at 855.517.1871.