Finding Peace Amidst Chaos: How Decluttering Transforms Moms Mental Health

Motherhood, with its whirlwind of responsibilities and joys, often leaves us feeling like we're juggling too many balls in the air. Our homes, the epicenter of family life, can quickly descend into chaos, mirroring the hectic rhythm of our days. But what if I told you that reclaiming your sanity starts with something as simple as decluttering and organizing your home? Let's explore how embracing this journey can breathe new life into your role as a mom and elevate your mental well-being.

The Messy Reality of Mom Life

As moms, our days are a delicate balance of caregiving, managing schedules, and maintaining the household. Amidst the laundry, school runs, and a million appointments it's all too easy for clutter to accumulate like dust bunnies (or in my case, dog hair!) in the corner. Toys strewn across the living room, piles of laundry awaiting folding, and kitchen counters buried beneath crumbs and a mountain of dishes—it's a scene that's all too familiar to many of us.

The Hidden Toll of Clutter on Mom's Mental Health

But here's the thing: that clutter isn't just a nuisance; it's also silently chipping away at our mental well-being. The constant visual clutter can be overwhelming, adding to the mental load we carry as moms. Studies have shown that cluttered environments can spike stress levels, leaving us feeling frazzled and on edge, even in our own homes—the very places where we should feel most at ease. I know for me, seeing the clutter, especially the kind that comes from having eight people in one home, brings almost instant anxiety.

Embracing the Magic of Decluttering

But fear not, fellow moms, for there's a silver lining amidst the chaos: the magic of decluttering. It's not just about tidying up; it's about reclaiming control over our spaces and our lives. As we embark on this journey, we're not just clearing out physical clutter; we're also creating space for peace and serenity to enter our homes and our hearts.

The Empowerment of a Tidy Home

Picture this: a living room where toys find their way back to their designated bins, a kitchen where countertops gleam unobstructed, and a bedroom where clothes find refuge in neatly organized drawers. Sound like a dream? It's within reach, and the empowerment that comes with it is truly transformative.

Nurturing Mom's Mental Well-being

A decluttered and organized home isn't just about aesthetics; it's about nurturing our mental well-being as moms. With less clutter to contend with, we're able to breathe easier and focus on what truly matters: making memories with our loved ones. We reclaim precious time and energy that can be channeled into self-care practices, whether it's enjoying a hot cup of coffee in peace or indulging in a long-overdue bubble bath.

Celebrating Imperfect Progress

So, fellow moms, let's embark on this journey together, one baby step at a time. Start with that junk drawer, or the pile of mail that has been staring you in the face. It doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to start. Embrace imperfection, celebrate progress, and remember that it's not about achieving Pinterest-perfect perfection; it's about creating a home that feels like a sanctuary for you and your family. As we declutter our homes, we're also decluttering our minds, making space for joy, laughter, and the beautiful messiness of motherhood.

xoxo

Mastering Small Space Organization: Tips for Taming Tiny Items

In the world of home organization, tackling clutter isn't just about dealing with oversized items or bulky furniture. Most often, it's the small items sprinkled throughout the home that cause the greatest challenge. From makeup and office supplies to toiletries and kitchen gadgets, these small items have a knack for disappearing into the abyss of drawers or gathering dust in forgotten corners. However, with a strategic approach and some smart solutions, you can transform even the tiniest nooks into orderly havens of efficiency. 

Here are some expert tips for organizing small items: 

1. Declutter First, Organize Later: Before diving into organizing, take stock of your small items and ruthlessly declutter. It helps to sort items according to type so you can easily see if you have too many of one type of item. Assess each item's usefulness and sentimental value, and be willing to part ways with those that no longer serve a purpose. This step not only frees up space but also makes the organizing process more manageable.

2. Group Similar Items Together: Grouping similar items together streamlines organization and makes it easier to locate specific items when needed. Whether it's grouping office supplies by category, arranging jewelry by type, or sorting craft supplies by color, categorizing small items fosters a sense of order and efficiency.

3. Embrace Vertical Storage: When space is limited, think vertically. Install shelves, hooks, or peg boards on walls to maximize storage potential. Utilize clear containers or bins with lids to corral small items while keeping them visible and accessible.

4. Divide and Conquer with Drawer Organizers: Drawer organizers are invaluable for keeping small items in check. Invest in dividers, trays, or compartmentalized inserts to divide drawers and prevent items from jumbling together. I have even made my own trays from empty zip-lock bag boxes cut down to size. This ensures that each item has its designated spot, making it easier to find and maintain order.

5. Utilize Unused Spaces: Make use of underutilized spaces such as the backs of doors, inside cabinet doors, or the sides of furniture. Install hooks, racks, or magnetic strips to hang items like keys, jewelry, or office supplies, keeping them off surfaces and within reach. One of my favorite ways to use the back of a door is with a clear over the door shoe organizer like this; it’s easy to install, fairly inexpensive and you can clearly see your small items. 

6. Label Everything: Labels are your best friend when it comes to small item organization. Use adhesive labels, label makers, or chalkboard paint to clearly mark containers, drawers, or shelves. Not only do labels help you quickly locate items, but they also encourage everyone in your home to return items to their designated homes.

7. Rotate Seasonal Items: Seasonal items such as holiday decorations or outdoor accessories often take up valuable space when not in use. Keep these items organized by storing them in labeled bins or containers and rotating them in and out of storage as needed. This prevents clutter buildup and ensures that seasonal items are easily accessible when the time comes.

By applying these pro tips, you can conquer the challenge of organizing small items and reclaim precious space in your home. Remember, the key is to tailor your organization system to meet your needs and daily habits, ensuring that maintaining order becomes second nature. With a little creativity and commitment, even the smallest spaces can become places of tidiness and calm.

Even Monica Had Housebarrassment

My favorite show of all time is Friends. I don’t just watch it; I leave it on in the background when I work or when my kids have gone to bed and the house is too quiet for my liking. It makes me laugh out loud, and get all sad when their moments reflect my own, and I turn to it when it’s been an especially rough day and I just need a lighthearted pick me up. I sometimes respond in conversations with Friends quotes, and even named my home Wi-Fi based on a reference from a favorite episode.

All the characters are my favorite in one way or another, but by far the most relatable to me is, you probably guessed it, Monica. She is so neat and tidy, everything is categorized, the ottoman has to be in the exact right spot, she gets excited about cleaning products, wants her home to be inviting and comfortable for those she cares about most, and of course, she’s “always the hostess.” But even Monica got housebarrassment about that one secret closet that was completely disorganized. Thankfully Chandler made it clear that he didn’t love her because she was organized, he loved her in spite of it!

It doesn’t matter whether you are a disorganized mess all the time or the categorizing queen, we ALL have at least one space we hope no one ever sees. The people in our lives don’t usually care as much about the perfectly curated spaces like we think they will, they just want to feel loved and welcomed. But as a Monica, I know it’s really hard to relax and enjoy time with all those people we love so much when we are stressed about the closet or pantry (they’ll likely never open!) is a hot mess.

So instead of not inviting your friends or family over, pick one thing, big or small, and don’t stop until it’s organized. Maybe don’t start with your Monica closet all by yourself, but try the junk or top vanity drawer. Pull everything out, grab the hand vacuum to suck up all the yuck, wipe the drawer, grab a couple trash bags for donation and trash, and start sorting. Put like things together. Rummage through the house for any little baskets or containers that can be used to keep things tidy, or go buy some if it’s in your budget. When I didn’t have money for new containers I have even used old Tupperware that were missing lids or empty zip lock bag boxes that I trimmed down to fit! Use whatever you have, but whatever you do, don’t stop until it’s done! And of course, if it’s still not your thing, maybe you’re more of a Rachel and prefer (or need) Monica to do all the tidying, you can call me, your favorite professional organizer!

Unconventional Laundry System

My mom taught me to do my own laundry when I was about 11, and the biggest rule was always that you don’t mix colors. Most people probably also sort laundry by color + texture. But with a big family, we do a LOT of laundry between 8 peoples clothing, towels, sheets, cleaning cloths, etc. I’ve found what works for us is to do our loads by room and person. So here’s what we do:

• Each person or load type has a designated day. For example, Mon- Mom & D’s loads, Tues- Kids bath towels, Wed- Sheets, Thur- C & R’s loads, etc.

• Each person or load type has a hamper with the name on it.

• On the designated day, the whole basket goes in the wash and the bottom of the empty hamper gets wiped with a wet Norwex cloth.

• The empty hamper sits on top of the washer, and when the load is moved to the dryer the basket moves to the top of the dryer (so you always know what or whose load is in the washer/dryer.)

• When the load comes out of the dryer into the clean hamper, each person puts their loads away immediately.

• The most unconventional part of my system is that each person puts their own clothes away, but they don’t have to fold anything! We hang shirts so the don’t get wrinkled, but everything else gets tossed into a basket/drawer with like items (jammies, pants, shorts, sweatshirts, etc.) We have the Ikea Kallax shelves with the baskets in each bedroom, so they have a designated basket for each category. This makes putting away laundry a 5-10 minute job and super doable for a kiddo. My 5 year old can even do this by himself, except he needs some help with getting things on the hanger.

• Other hampers we use:

  • Kitchen Towels + Fabric Napkins + Norwex

  • Bath Towels + Washcloths

  • Rags + Old Towels + Dog Stuff

  • Sheets + Bedding

Long ago I decided that laundry is one area that I needed to let go of in order to bring more peace to my mind and home. So even though it’s totally not the way my mom taught me, it works for us.

Speed Clean Your Home in 15 Minutes

Have you ever got a text saying “hey, can I stop by in 15 minutes?” You internally panic because you don’t want your friend (or your mom) to see your house like this! Instead of telling them you’re too busy just so they don’t see the mess, follow these few steps to be visitor ready in 15 minutes. The goal isn’t perfection, just tidy enough so you can enjoy that last minute visit with a friend.

• Grab a laundry basket and pick up anything that isn’t in its proper place. Stash the basket in a closet or behind a shower curtain while you visit and deal with it later!

• Keep a cloth with you in case you need to wipe sticky messes as you clear the surfaces. Close cabinets, drawers and closets as you go.

• Load dishes into the dishwasher and give the sink a quick wipe.

• Give the bathroom your guests will use a quick once over; wipe the sink + counter, toilet seat. Make sure there is a guest towel and toilet paper.

• Straighten furniture, pillows and throws.

• Spray a room freshener or light a candle.

If you have a few extra minutes, grab the vacuum or broom and do a quick sweep. Our family has three fluffy dogs so unfortunately, I HAVE to do this otherwise they’ll see furballs in every corner!

Now you can start a pot of coffee and enjoy your visit!  Just don’t forget about the basket hiding in your shower!