Keeping your home organised during a busy week can be challenging, but we all want to reap the rewards of a clutter-free space. Some say that by putting aside just 20 minutes every night, you have enough time to complete your ‘closing shift’. But what is the phenomenon of a closing shift that’s been trending on socials recently?
Each day, many Australians complete a ‘closing shift’ at work. Whether it’s corporate (shutting down your laptop and tidying the desk for tomorrow’s jobs), retail (counting the till and restocking items), or hospitality (taking out the rubbish and deep cleaning the bar). That set of tasks at the end of the day ensures a clean and organised space for the next morning.
Well, this same concept can easily be implemented in your home to get things tidy and organised for the following day. Here’s some quick but effective tasks you can complete in your evening close shift.
Have you seen my …?
Establishing a drawer, dish or cupboard near the entrance of your home is a savvy way to keep these miscellaneous items that you reach for every day, like airpods, car keys, wallet, lip balm or sunglasses, organised and in place. It’s also great for the specific items kids need the next day. It will not only keep your home tidy but also prevent the dreaded search for them the next morning. Avoid the panic of being late!
Conquer the laundry chair
Establishing a routine of folding and putting laundry away and washing dirty clothes each night prevents a bigger pile to deal with at the end of the week, when Friday exhaustion hits. This task can be easily maintained with an organised wardrobe system and laundry space.
Minimise trip hazards
Having an accessible shoe cupboard or shelf system for bags near the front door will remove unnecessary clutter from your space, and means greater convenience when getting out the door.
Don’t leave the dishes overnight ‘to soak’
Establishing a routine of cleaning your dirty dishes, wiping down your benchtop and taking out the rubbish after dinner will create a clean space for you to wake up to each day. Having organisers and dedicated spaces to pack away kitchen items will make this routine easier to maintain. Morning will thank you big time for this one.
Overdue bills can be avoided
Having an organised folder or system to store important mail documents will make it easy to find information in the future and ensure deadlines are not missed. This could look like a small set of desk drawers or a fold out binder with labels and colours to sort statuses. You can also save reminders on your mobile phone’s calendar so you’re alerted each time!
Use the organisers you buy!
Everyone does it. We buy an organiser, drawer, or storage basket and never end up using it for its initial purpose. Having a dedicated basket or effective organiser system for toys will help reduce consistent clutter scattered around your home, creating a tidy space to relax.
By practicing a simple nightly closing shift, you can wake up to a clean and organised home, reducing stress levels and minimising that long to-do list that typically builds throughout the week. A simple yet effective way to simultaneously boost mood and productivity – you’d be crazy to not do it!
Jordana Thirlwall is co-founder of Super Easy Storage and a certified interior designer.
Comments
This nightly routine is such a smart way to end the day with intention and start the next one with clarity. It feels like a gentle, self-caring strategy that’s both practical and calming.