Is your messy home overwhelming you?
Is your clutter stressing you out? Is your messy home making your eye twitch and you snap at your family?
If your environment parallels your mood, having a messy environment can wreak havoc on your emotional state. Similarly, an open and clean space may bring you peace and tranquility. It all depends on how you manage your spaces. Walking into a disaster of a living room with toys cluttering the floor and dishes piled in the sink after a day of work can put you in a tailspin. Messes can be triggering for anxiety and a sense of chaos. The reality is that life happens. Things pile up figuratively and physically, and sometimes to a point that it feels overwhelming and you are not even sure where to start… almost paralyzing leading us to avoidance.
My advice- start anywhere. Pick one small thing and chisel away slowly. There’s no race. Truly organize it. Don’t shove it into a drawer or basket. Liberate your space and you may notice parts of your life feel less overwhelming.
These are two tips that I LIVE BY:
If it takes less than 2 minutes to do, just do it now.
Never leave a room without something for the other.
I have created a schedule to get you started on some of the most ignored and neglected areas of the home. They are often hidden to visiting guests, but serve as harsh reminder when you open that catch-all door. Just because we can’t see these places easily at first glance doesn’t mean we don’t feel the burden of these tasks as they compound … These tasks should only take 15-20 minutes MAX.
*Disclaimer…if you do not have a second bathroom, children or laundry area, feel free to add in your wish-list own items!
Day 1- Organize your junk drawer. Everyone has one.
Day 2- Organize your spice cabinet and utensil drawer.
Day 3- Clean your fridge. Dispose of old condiments. Clean your veggie drawer. Wipe all the shelves.
Day 4- Clean your oven, stove and all the little areas around it. Get those crumbs out of all the nooks and crannies!
Day 5- Clean and organize under your kitchen sink. You don’t need a million vases and soaps. Donate or gift these!
Day 6- Clean and organize under your bathroom #1 sink.
Day 7- Clean and organize your medicine cabinet. Make sure meds are disposed of correctly*
Day 8- Organize your linen closet. Donate old sheets, blankets & towels to an animal shelter.
Day 9- Wash your bathroom rugs, shower curtains and decorative towels.
Day 10- Clean the bathtub or shower in Bathroom #1.
Day 11- Clean and organize Bathroom #2 under sink.
Day 12- Clean Bathroom #2 bathtub or shower.
Day 13- Organize your nightstand drawers.
Day 14- Dust the fans and blinds in all rooms.
Day 15- Organize your underwear drawer… get rid of everything you have not worn in the past year.
Day 16- Organize your pajama drawer and use the same 1-year rule.
Day 17- Organize shoes and donate unwanted pairs.
Day 18- Clean and organize toiletries (makeup, hair products, lotions etc…).
Day 19- Clear out random items under the couch, under the beds, under the TV console.
Day 20- Vacuum under couch cushions and chair cushions (bonus if you move the couch and clean behind it!)
Day 21- Organize Tupperware and dispose of mismatched pieces, stained and broken ones.
Day 22- Organize your pantry (this might take longer than 15 minutes, but it’s worth it!)
Day 23- Organize your laundry area and clean behind and beside your machines.
Day 24- Organize pots & pans. Dispose of ones with flaking non-stick coating.
Day 25-30 is designed for individuals with children in their environment:
Day 25- Evaluate all toys with missing pieces. Dispose or donate.
Day 26- Go through shirts and shorts. Donate all items that do not fit.
Day 27- Clear out under their beds and dressers. Clear off dresser tops.
Day 28- Organize closet (may take longer than 15 minutes depending on age and quantity)
Day 29- Go through books and donate unwanted or unused items.
Day 30- Go through stuffed animals, action figures, Barbies etc… and donate unused items
If you have made it this far, I’d love to hear how you plan to create peace in your home! I hope 2023 brings you the healing and calm you deserve. Happy organizing!