This takes a small amount of time, and a conscious effort, but it's worth it. When you continue doing it with most other items in and around the house, pretty soon everything is where it should be, all the time.
When you need a cup, it's in the cabinet, where it belongs. You can reach in and grab it without thinking about it being there. The same will be true for keys, wallet/purse, sunglasses, scissors, tape, cleaning supplies, or any other household item.
If you know where the home is for all the things you use around the house there is typically less stress over finding what you need, and less arguing over who put what where, or who's responsible for losing it. The house tends to be more calm and peaceful.
There's no need to look around your house right now and get anxious over the fact that things aren't organized, or that everything isn't in it's home now. Just make an effort to start putting things where they belong when you're done with them.
When you get up to get a glass of water, take something with you to the kitchen and put it back. When you get out of the car, take an item or two out of the trunk or the back seat and put it in it's home. If you're not sure where home is for some items, start putting them all in a container. When you have thirty minutes and the energy to organize, look through it, one at a time and find a home for each one.
It's best to let others in on what you're doing and even help you find the right home. Chances are good that if you've started putting things where they belong, they'll catch on and realize the benefits of always knowing where things are.
Kids are often especially good at organizing things like this, particularly when you can take things out one at a time and make a decision on each item.
Something that has helped out in our house is having a cubby organizer for keys and mail that hangs on the wall by the door. It keeps keys, mail, and other important items by the door where it's convenient to grab them as you're leaving, or put them back when you walk in the door.
When everything has a home we all feel better. Being home means being safe and comfortable. All of your stuff needs to have a home too. Try putting it all in a home one or two items at a time and see how it makes you feel.
