How Getting Organized Will Set You Free (Not Trap You) - How to Change Bad Habits

I often hear people say, "Being organized is boring. It takes away spontaneity. It makes life rigid." But let me tell you—life is unpredictable. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t control everything.

But here’s the thing: many things are still in our hands.

When you don’t plan your time, you end up chasing the hours instead of making the hours work for you and having bad habits. You feel like time is slipping away, leaving you frustrated and unfulfilled.

We can’t control the big changes in life, but we can absolutely control our daily habits and change the bad habits. You can choose to exercise instead of lying on the couch. You can choose to work on a personal project instead of mindlessly watching TV. You can choose to read a book instead of scrolling through Instagram. You can get out of bed and make the most of your weekend instead of sleeping it all away.

Without organization, life just happens to you. You’re letting external events dictate your days instead of shaping them yourself.

Of course, unexpected things will always come up. But when you have an organized routine, you’ll have the flexibility to handle them—without feeling like your entire day has been thrown off track.

A Real-Life Example of How Lack of Organization and Bad Habits Wastes Your Time

Let’s say you work from 9 AM to 6 PM. The workday ends, and suddenly you realize… you don’t know what to do next.

• You think, "Maybe I’ll go to the cinema?" But when you check, the movie has already started.

• You consider going to a gym class, but by the time you check the schedule, the class is halfway through.

• You grab your phone, start scrolling Instagram, head home, and collapse on the couch.

End result? You didn’t go to the cinema. You didn’t go to the gym. And you wasted hours doing nothing.

Sound familiar?

How many times have you wasted time just because you didn’t plan ahead?

Here’s another example:

You’re at work, and you have two 10-minute breaks. What do you do?

• You go to the bathroom.

• You grab a snack.

• You smoke a cigarette.

• You scroll through Instagram.

Then, 10 minutes are gone, and you don’t even feel like you actually rested.

Or take the weekend. How much time do we waste on Saturdays and Sundays?

Now, I’m not saying you should wake up at 7 AM on the weekend and plan your day like a military schedule. Rest is sacred. (And trust me, I struggle with the idea of resting because I was raised to believe that doing nothing is a waste of time—but we’ll get to that later.)

But imagine this: You wake up without an alarm, or maybe at 11 AM, because you know you want to sleep in. That’s fine. But then? Instead of aimlessly wasting the afternoon, you plan something—a cultural activity, a walk, or meeting friends.

So once you wake up, you actually make the most of your day.

So, does organization trap you while spontaneity sets you free? Change your Bad Habits!

The answer is no.

Being organized actually gives you freedom. It helps you spend time on what truly matters to you instead of letting time slip away on things you don’t care about.

Leaving everything to chance? That’s what actually wastes your time—and leaves you frustrated.

How Do You Spend Your Time? Let’s Find Out.

Now that we understand why organization is important, it’s time to analyze how we actually spend our days.

I want you to answer these questions in the comments (or write them down for yourself):

1️⃣ How do you wake up in the morning?

Do you wake up feeling happy, motivated, nervous? Yes, you’ll be sleepy—but what’s your overall vibe for the day?

2️⃣ Do you like your job?

A simple yes or no.

3️⃣ Is there something you’d like to change in your life?

Answer Yes, No, or Not Sure.

4️⃣ How do you feel when you go to bed at night?

Relaxed? Stressed? Completely exhausted? Use a few adjectives.

5️⃣ Do you feel understood by the people closest to you?

This means family, partners, close friends, and trusted colleagues—not random people whose opinions don’t impact your life.

These questions matter. They help you identify what’s holding you back.

It’s easy to forget that this is your only life. No matter your beliefs about the afterlife, right now, you are living THIS life. You can’t keep adapting to things that make you unhappy.

Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Every time I feel stuck, I remind myself of something:

👉 I look at the world map on my desk.

👉 I think about how many lives are happening at this very moment.

👉 And suddenly, my own little world doesn’t feel so small.

It reminds me that my problems, my doubts, and my fears? They aren’t everything.

And that’s freeing—because it means the world is full of possibilities.

If you’re stuck in a job you hate, in a relationship that makes you unhappy, or in a social circle that doesn’t value you—remember:

🚀 There is a whole world out there waiting for you.

I know it’s easier said than done, and there are ethical considerations (kids, family, etc.), but nothing is more important than your well-being. That’s why it’s essential to prioritize yourself so you can also give your best to others.

Let’s Work on Your Mindset

Many of us carry beliefs and values that aren’t truly ours. They were passed down by family, society, or past experiences. Some of them limit us.

Exercise: Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

Write down 2-3 things you were told about yourself that shaped how you see yourself today.

For example:

• "I’m bad at math."

• "I’ll never be a good writer."

• "I’m not smart enough to do X."

Now, question them:👉 Is this actually true?👉 In what situations do I see evidence of this belief?👉 In what situations do I prove this belief WRONG?

What Does This Have to Do with Habits?

Habits aren’t just about planning tasks. If you jump straight into planning without first reflecting on everything we’ve discussed, you’ll likely just try and keep failing.

Many people think that building habits is just about setting routines, but in reality, it starts with understanding your priorities and where you are in life. Only then can you make decisions that truly align with who you are and what you need.

A life coach can help you get to know yourself better and create plans that are both intentional and sustainable!