Emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Whether it’s a medical issue, sudden illness, natural disaster, or unexpected life event, being organised makes a stressful situation easier to manage.
In our recent online workshop, “Tidy Today, Ready Tomorrow: How to Get Organised for Death and an Emergency,” we explored practical steps anyone can take to get their essential documents and information in order.This blog gives you a streamlined overview — perfect if you’d like a quick starting point.
👉 Watch our earlier video on emergency preparedness here.
Why getting organised matters
Most people intend to “sort their paperwork one day,” but life gets busy. When something unexpected happens, the people around you need access to important information quickly — and having it organised removes stress at an already difficult time.
Emergencies can include:
- Medical events or hospital admissions
- Household crises (fire, floods, severe weather)
- Personal or family changes
- Financial or technological issues (lost devices, data breaches)
Being prepared isn’t about expecting the worst — it’s about making things easier when life moves suddenly.
Essential documents everyone should have
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with the basics and build gradually.
1. Will and Powers of Attorney
Make sure your will, financial directives and medical decision-making documents are up to date and easy to locate.
2. Advance Care Directive
Clearly outline your medical wishes, including treatments you prefer or want to avoid. This is invaluable for healthcare teams and loved ones.
3. Emergency and personal contacts
Create one simple list of key people:
- Family or friends
- Doctors and specialists
- Service providers (home, utilities, insurance)
4. Medical and health information
Keep essential details together, such as:
- Medications and dosages
- Allergies
- Medicare and health insurance
- Hospital or GP information
A printed version is often more reliable than an app alone.
5. Household and financial information
Include high-level details such as:
- Superannuation and bank locations (not necessarily logins)
- Insurance policies
- Mortgage or rental information
- Regular bills and providers
6. Digital accounts and passwords
Password frustration came up a lot in the session! Common solutions include:
- Password managers or passkeys
- A secure document with instructions for key accounts
Clear guidance on who can access what in an emergency
Storing your important documents safely
The “best” storage solution is the one you’ll use — and that someone else can find when needed.
Options include:
- A small fireproof safe
- A safety deposit box
- A labelled folder or display book
- Secure digital storage (e.g. Secure My Treasures)
Whatever you choose, tell at least one trusted person:
- What you’ve organised
- Where it’s stored
- How to access it
How to get started (without overwhelm)
Big life planning tasks can feel heavy. Keep it simple with my Tidy Today approach:
✔ Book one small time block
Protect an hour in your calendar and stick to it.
✔ Choose one area per week
For example:
- Week 1: update contact list
- Week 2: gather medical information
- Week 3: organise will and directives
✔ Ask for support if needed
A partner, family member or friend can help gather details or set up a simple system.
✔ Share what you’ve created
Even the most organised documents won’t help if no one knows where they are.
Still too hard?
If you’d like personalised support, I offer a free 15-minute strategy call and decluttering help across metropolitan Melbourne, the Yarra Ranges, Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong.