It’s so tempting to put something down "just for now" when you're in a rush. You toss the mail on the kitchen table, drape your jacket over the back of a chair,
or drop your shoes by the front door, thinking you'll deal with it later. We’ve all done it.
But here's the thing—those little moments add up. The more we let things pile up “just for now,” the more work we give ourselves later on.
What starts as one or two items quickly turns into clutter that can feel overwhelming. Suddenly, you’ve got a mountain of mail to sort through, chairs serving as makeshift closets, and shoes scattered around instead of in the closet where they belong.
Not only does this make your space feel chaotic, but it also means you'll spend extra time and energy tidying up later when you could have taken just a few seconds to put things where they belong in the first place.
Here are 10 common "just for now" situations and what you can do instead:
Mail on the table
Instead: Sort it right away—recycle, file, or address it.
Shoes by the front doorInstead: Put them in the shoe rack or closet. I just bought
these shoe storage box organizers. They're a bit tricky to put together (I had to look up a video online to do so), but I absolutely love
them! Groceries on the counter
Instead: Unpack and store them right away.
Dirty dishes in the sink
Instead: Wash or load into the dishwasher.
Laundry on the bed
Instead: Fold
and put it away before it piles up.
Tote bag on the floor
Instead: Empty it and store it in a closet.
Sweater on the couch
Instead: Fold and put it away in your dresser or laundry basket.
Blanket left on the chair
Instead: Fold and drape it neatly or put it in a basket.
Breaking the "just for now" habit
takes practice, but once you start putting things away immediately, you’ll feel more organized and less stressed.
So, next time you’re tempted to toss something aside, remember:
A little effort now saves you a lot of work later.
