For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved pens, planners, notebooks, sticky notes, any office supply I could get my hands on. Office Max or Staples is Heaven on Earth for me. Even as a little kid, I wanted to be organized. Imagine a cute little seven-year-old using sticky notes and a planner to plan out her homework (or the lack thereof), play dates, and when she would read. Anything I could use to organize my life, I got my hands on.

This habit I built as a kid has stuck with me, pretty much. I’m never as organized as I want to be, because no one is perfect. In my dream world, the laundry would always be done, the bed would always be made, and my To Do list would be crossed off. In reality, the laundry basket is overflowing, the mattress pad is falling off the bed, and I have seven To Do lists that haven’t been started. The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay to not be perfect.

Though perfection isn’t achievable, staying organized is. I believe that staying organized, planning out each day, and having goals is the way to live a successful life. Every day I make a list of the things I want to get done that day. Sometimes (if I’m really on top of it) I will plan my week out, each day with a mini goal to help me achieve the bigger goal. I always plan for being human and not finishing every single task. Knowing ahead of time that every single goal will not be achieved, and that it’s okay, is essential. If you go into the week telling yourself you will get every single thing done this week, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

My favorite things that help keep me organized are: my planner, the Notes app on my phone, sticky notes/notepad, and the Reminders app. My planner has all of my goals written down, and mini goals that I need to do to complete the larger goal. I don’t always have access to my planner because SHOCKER I sometimes forget to bring it with me.

If I ever have a thought of something I need to do later, I set it as a reminder so later that night, I can get the task done. The Notes app is amazing because I can write lists (like my to-do lists) quickly and check them off as I go. At work when I can’t access my phone, my notepad SAVES MY LIFE. I have so many ideas/thoughts that run through my head that I will lose if I don’t write them down. I usually end up throwing two or three sheets of paper in my purse with all of the lists I’ve created at work.

In the end, it’s possible to stay organized, but accept that you can’t be perfect. I try my best every day and most of the time I get things done. Some days are easier than others. There are the days where I’m completely motivated and get every single thing done that I want to. There are also the days where I’m exhausted and I just want to curl up and watch Netflix. You know what I do? I curl up and watch Netflix! You have to keep the balance! Just try your best, and it will all work out.