I just finished watching the entire Gilmore Girls series, and honestly? It’s one of the sweetest, most charming shows I’ve ever taken the time to watch. Between the lightning-fast conversations, bottomless coffee cups, and Stars Hollow’s quirky town
meetings, I found myself not only entertained, but also unexpectedly inspired. As it turns out, Rory and Lorelai are full of organizing wisdom...whether they mean to be or not. Here are a few of my favorite takeaways you can bring into your own home and life.
1. Create Spaces You Actually Want to Spend Time In: Think of Lorelai’s cozy living room...warm lights, comfortable seating, and plenty of personality. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt lived in and inviting. That’s the secret. Organizing isn’t about creating showroom spaces; it’s about designing rooms where you naturally want to relax, read, or sip a cup of coffee.
Try adding a soft throw blanket, a little lamp with warm bulbs, or a basket for magazines. A few small touches can transform a room from “I should organize this someday” to “I love it here.”
2.
Embrace Routines...Even Perfectly Imperfect Ones: Paris (Rory's friend and housemate) didn’t survive Chilton or Yale by winging it. She color-coded, made lists, used planners, and somehow always had a highlighter nearby. Your routines don’t have to be strict; they just have to support your life.
Pick one simple routine, like
laying out clothes the night before, prepping your coffee station, or checking your planner before bed. These little rituals can make mornings feel more Stars Hollow-gentle and less Friday-night-dinner chaotic.
3. Make Your Kitchen Work the Way You Live: Lorelai and Rory weren’t exactly known for home-cooked meals, and
yet their kitchen worked for them because it held what they actually used: take-out menus, coffee essentials, and Pop-Tarts.
The lesson? Organize your kitchen based on real life, not ideal life. If you mainly reheat leftovers, you don’t need three muffin tins. If
you do love to cook, maybe your spice drawer should be the MVP.
Organizing is only successful when it reflects who you genuinely are; not who you think you “should” be.
4. Set Boundaries Like Emily Gilmore (But Softer): Emily was a master at boundaries; sometimes a little too good. But she reminds us that structure matters. Whether it’s limits on your calendar, your possessions, or your time with others, boundaries create breathing room.
If your schedule
has been feeling more like a Friday Night Dinner you can’t escape, take a step back.
Ask:
What is truly important to me this week?
Then let the rest fall away, guilt-free.
5. Declutter with Stars Hollow
Spirit
One of the loveliest things about Stars Hollow is that everything and everyone has a story. When you declutter, borrow that mindset. Instead of feeling guilty for parting with an item, thank it for the part it played, whether it made you smile, saw you through a season, or simply taught you that you didn’t need six decorative mugs.
Let the things you keep be the things that make you light up…just like Lorelai’s snow.
6. Make Space for Joyful Rituals: Whether it’s Friday night movies, town festivals, or Luke handing over a cup of coffee just when
someone needs it most, the Gilmores cherish their rituals. What little traditions can you build into your week?
A Sunday evening reset?
A midweek tidy-up with a favorite
playlist?
Organizing isn’t only about clearing space. It’s about creating room for what fills your heart.
7.
Surround Yourself with “Your People”: Sookie, Lane, Luke, Babette...they weren’t perfect, but they were the people the Gilmores could depend on.
In the organizing world, this means finding those who support your goals. Maybe a friend who loves to swap decluttering stories. Maybe a fitness buddy. Maybe simply giving yourself
the gift of asking for help when you need it. We do better when we’re not doing it alone.
Just like Stars Hollow, your home doesn’t have to be flawless to feel magical. If you focus on creating cozy spaces, gentle routines, and clear boundaries (and you sprinkle in a little joy) you’ll find that organizing becomes less about tidying
and more about truly living.
And of course…keep the coffee stocked. Lorelai would insist.
On
another note...
Early Holiday Gift List: 10 Fun and Practical Finds Under $30
From clever kitchen helpers and travel must-haves to cozy home upgrades and
smart tech, this list is packed with thoughtful finds that everyone on your list will love...and all under $30! Click to access
