Do you have spaces in your home that are just clutter magnets? Don’t worry if the answer is yes. It’s something that we all have to deal with. High traffic areas also seem to attract the most stuff and become drop zones for all sorts of items. I know you are probably looking at the title like “every day”?
You don’t have to keep your home looking like a museum, as a mom of four kids, I know how hard it is to keep just one room looking immaculate. But if the goal is to make it look presentable, then this is the way to go.
Why decluttering is important
Safer Home
This is a big no brainer. Fewer things lying around means less opportunity for people to trip and fall. I remember my dad always saying to keep your bedroom floor clear in case of a fire. So I’ve always kept that tidbit in the back of my mind.
Better Mood
When your home is clutter free your mood is a lot better. Don’t believe me? Walk into the most cluttered room in your home and see how it makes you feel. Cluttered homes lead to higher stress levels. So for the sake of your mental health, pick something up.
More TIme
The more you pick up during the week, the more time you will have to relax during your downtime. It may seem like a lot of work, especially if you work a full-time job outside of the home and have a family to care for. However, the reality is that taking a few minutes of your day to declutter or clean these spaces will make things easier for you in the long run.
Desk & Workspace
When working from home, it’s especially important to make sure that your work space stays neat and organized. When you are finished working make sure that you place items back where they belong, and dispose of any trash that may be laying around.
Kitchen counter & sink
If you are anything like me the first place that you like to put down mail, your purse, keys or whatever else is the kitchen counter. Sort the items every evening if you are having a hard time immediately putting things in their place. This allows your counters to stay neat and clutter free.
Doing dishes is a dreadful task. However, I found that doing the dishes while I am cooking helps to lighten the load, instead of saving them all for when the meal is over. Wash your dishes in the morning and evening and put them away. That way your kitchen looks more organized and you won’t feel overwhelmed walking into your kitchen.
Closet
Putting away clothing that is strewn at the bottom and top of the closet is an easy everyday fix. For a more in depth declutter, fold, put away or hang up clothing, as well as pull out anything that is no longer worn. Donate any items that you no longer want or need.
Coffee table
Your sitting on the couch reading something or working on the computer and immediately when you are done, you may just set the items onto your coffee table. It’s easy to get distracted and leave things there with the intention of moving them. However, as the day passes, and then the next day, and the day after, one thing left turns to four or five things piled up. To keep your coffee table nice and neat, give a good once over every evening before bed.
Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.
