Clutter…

Even just typing the words brings a flurry of stress and anxiety to my mental state. I never knew how much it affected me until I became a mom. That’s most likely the case because, in the past, the clutter was my clutter. I had complete control—and would tidy up and eliminate clutter when I darn well pleased.

But in motherhood, it’s different.

Clutter can feel a lot like spinning out of control—especially to those of us who are a little more “Type A” than we’d care to admit. It goes deeper than an annoyance. It can trigger anxiety and stress, which, as it turns out, is never the recipe for a happy mom and family.

So, what’s the answer then?

It’s no secret that there are major benefits to eliminating clutter and prioritizing an organized home, but short of shipping those youngsters out and sending them to boarding school—what’s a mom to do?

How can you eliminate clutter and save your sanity without becoming a drill sergeant in your own home?

I’ve come up with a few tried-and-true tricks that, with a little effort on the front end, will become second nature in no time, giving you the tidy home and peace of mind you’ve been craving.

1. Employ the One-in, One-out mentality.

This is imperative, especially if you live in a smaller space. Making the hard decision to get rid of something when you’re riding the high of bringing in something new will make it easier. With your kids, let them know up front that, to bring in a new fill-in-the-blank (stuffy, pair of shoes, winter coat…) you’ll need to give it a home. So the old item will move out to make way for the new item moving in. Making this simple change in your routine will help eliminate clutter by accomplishing a couple of things.

It will force you to evaluate whether you really need to trade up on a current item. In other words, to decide if your new purchase is a want vs. a need. Both are okay, but it’s great to be intentional and self-aware about the purchases you’re making.
It’ll maintain order in your home. So often, duplicates and unnecessary things create the clutter creep that eventually overwhelms us and stresses us out. The name of the game is intentionality so that your prized possessions don’t just become “stuff” or worse yet, stressful clutter.

2. Engage the 60-second rule.

This one can become fun, almost like a game. But, be patient with yourself because this may require breaking a habit to create a new one. You’ll catch yourself in the act of setting something down where it doesn’t belong. You know, throwing the jacket or purse on the chair in the entryway instead of hanging it in the closet or on a hook. Catch yourself in the act then eliminate the clutter by putting it right away.

3. Set designated times to tidy up throughout your day.

We’re talking short bursts of time (5-10 minutes) that are super-concentrated in picking up the clutter. This tends to work best for us before meals and/or bedtime. Each member of the family is responsible for picking up their items and putting them back where they belong. Which brings me to #4.

4. A place for everything.

“And everything in its place“, as my grandma would say. Everything you own should have a designated spot. I’ll admit, this was a lot easier before the kids were old enough to accumulate, and manage, their things. But ironically, probably more important than ever. Anything you value enough to bring into your home should have a designated place where it belongs from the beginning. With kids, it doesn’t have to be beautiful or even very organized. Just a spot. A toy chest, a dresser, a set of bins for the smaller items, and a bookshelf. Here are a few of my favorites from Amazon:

Kids Toy Chest– I love a big open space with a lid. This has been perfect for storing all of the larger stuffed animals. Plus, the lid isn’t so heavy that it could slam down and smash little fingers.
An organizer with smaller bins for things like legos, figurines, dolls, and other odds and ends that kids love to collect.
A bookshelf that won’t allow for a cluttered mess of its own. I love a bookshelf that keeps books contained, and not messy looking, allowing me to find a specific title at a moment’s notice. This one from Amazon has been the perfect addition to my kids’ rooms.

5. Never stand idle.

No, I do not mean to forgo taking time for rest. Not in the slightest. But, there are times when you’re busy(ish) with something anyway, but find yourself in a holding pattern, you may just have the opportunity to free yourself up for a golden opportunity to eliminate clutter.

How many times have you stood and waited for something in the kitchen?

The microwave, your coffee to finish brewing, water to boil…These situations are the perfect time to challenge yourself. If the microwave is set for two minutes, challenge yourself to empty/fill the dishwasher before the timer goes off. Waiting for the coffee to finish? Sweep the kitchen? It may amaze you how much you can accomplish in tiny pockets of time if you put your mind to it.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab my Free Guide to Eliminating Clutter in your home, by clicking here.