Too Hot? Easy Organizing Projects You Can Do in a Heatwave

It’s 92 degrees outside. The fan’s on high, your cold drink is sweating, and just thinking about decluttering the garage makes you need a nap. You want to be productive... but let’s be honest: this is a sit-in-the-shade, flop-on-the-couch, “don’t talk to me unless it’s about popsicles” kind of day.

But guess what? You don’t have to break a sweat to make progress. Whether you’re low on energy, motivation, or just deeply committed to your shaded lounge chair, here are a few organizing projects you can do right from your favorite flop zone—no standing required.

1. Declutter Your Phone

These days, your phone is basically your second brain… and sometimes, it’s a mess. But you can tidy it up while sipping something iced and rewatching your comfort show for the fourth time.

• Delete the apps you haven’t opened since 2020.

• Make sure your most essential apps are quick and easy to find.

• Create folders on your home screen and place apps in the corresponding sections—because scrolling for 10 minutes just to find the calculator is not ideal.

Quick Tip: Do this with an iced beverage of your choice and a show on in the background—low-key productivity at its best.

2. Inbox Decluttering

Email clutter is the digital junk drawer of life. But you don’t have to aim for inbox zero—just a little less chaos.

• Use the search bar to mass-delete emails (except mine 😂) with keywords like “Unsubscribe,” “Sale,” or “Notification.”

• Set up a filter so receipts, newsletters, or cat memes go where they belong.

• Archive or delete anything older than six months that isn’t vital.

• Knock out a few of those “I’ll deal with this later” emails. Need to submit an online return? Do it now. Your son’s orthodontist needs you to sign electronic forms? Get it done.

  
  

This is the digital equivalent of shredding old files and paper clutter without sweating in your garage during the hot summer weather..

3. Clean Up Your Camera Roll

Oddly satisfying and low-effort? Sign us up.

• Delete the duplicates, the oops-I-blinked selfies, and anything you won’t care about in a year.

• Create albums: think “Family,” “Vacations,” “Pets.”

• Favorite the best shots from your last trip—and let the other 37 versions go.

• Bonus points: upload to the cloud or make a photo book (yes, right from your phone!).

  
  

Quick Tip: Pick a day from a previous year and edit those photos, repeat. Some days you’ll have 5 photos to edit, and others will have 500. Take the wins where you can. Looking back on sweet memories might just give you the pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed today.

4. Plan an Organizing Project (Without Doing It Yet)

Sometimes organizing your thoughts is half the battle. So, grab a notebook or your Notes app and:

• List 3 spaces that need some love.

• Jot down what’s not working and what you wish worked.

• Highlight what is working—it might inspire ideas for other spots.

• Note any supplies (or support!) you’ll need.

• Set a “someday” date... but no pressure. Future You will appreciate it.

You’re making space in your head—and that’s a win, even if your behind stays planted.

5. Organize Your Online Accounts

Have a mountain of half-filled carts and mystery subscriptions? Now’s your moment.

• Clear out saved carts (or treat yourself to the one thing you’ve been eyeing).

• Update your shipping and payment info (because expired cards love to strike at checkout).

• Cancel those free trials you forgot about (watch out streaming app), because you know they are not free forever.

6. Clean Up Your Social Media for Mental Decluttering

Your feed should feel like sunshine, not a storm cloud. Take a few minutes to:

• Unfollow accounts that stress you out or make you feel “less than.”

• Create a summer playlist that makes decluttering or cleaning (later) more fun.

• Organize your podcast queue (start with something light and motivating).

This is feel-good, poolside-friendly organizing for your brain

Final Thoughts: Rest IS Productive

During these hot days, remember that it’s okay to take a true rest, too. If you’re overwhelmed, overheated, or over everything, the most productive thing you can sometimes do is to DO nothing. Enjoy the sun, relax by the pool, or take a nap.

But if you’re feeling up for some armchair organizing, remember this: organization is a long game. You don’t have to do it all in one weekend.

These little, low-key tasks chip away at the chaos without draining your physical energy. So give yourself permission to sip something cold, binge a show, and make quiet progress.

Because sometimes the most powerful organizing you can do is the kind that fits in your lap.

Happy Organizing!

Tara

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