One Minute Habits to Help You Clear the Clutter
simplifying the BIG stuff actually starts with decluttering the small things first.
One of the fastest ways to burn out when starting the declutter process is to start BIG. I see so many people excited to start, and they go right to the hugest clutter-queen first… Usually the kitchen. The kitchen tends to be a big hot mess and is a massive project, especially when you don’t do it in the proper order (which makes it so much easier). Starting big first is overwhelming, and leads people to quit before they even get started.
Decluttering the BIG stuff actually starts with simplifying the small things first, and creating good habits. I want to let you off the hook from tackling the worst room in the house, and stop you from over-complicating the process.
With these one-minute habits, you will build confidence by doing the small things, and watch your home be transformed as you gather momentum. Over time, you’ll gain the practice and discipline needed for… THE GARAGE. (Insert ominous music here.)
The benefits of creating and using tiny habits are:
You can actually complete them in a minute or two.
You build confidence as you see the difference you are making.
Your house is noticeably tidier. Woohoo!
You don’t have to spend hours after the kids go to bed cleaning, because you’ve been doing bits throughout the day with your new habits.
Your family will learn good habits, too!
One Minute Decluttering Habits
These tiny habits are going to help you remove the visual clutter in your space, and help you create habits for the whole family. They are quick and easy, but make a world of difference when it comes to visual overwhelm and having to clean up before you clean house.
When you get home in the car, bring in whatever doesn’t belong in the car. Ie: trash, water bottles, expired coupons.
Put away coats, shoes, backpacks, purses, in their proper place when you come inside.
Recycle junk mail as soon as you look at it, rather than leave it on the counter for days.
Make your bed. A simple flick of the duvet makes entering your room more relaxing. It’s like magic!
Put away toiletries after you use them in the bathroom instead of letting them collect on the countertop.
Put away your pj’s in the morning when you take them off - whether they are folded and put away, slipped under the pillow, or tossed in the hamper.
Be a kitchen ninja and clean up while you are cooking. Wash a dish while the water comes to a boil, or toss some things in the dishwasher while the sauce simmers.
Use baskets where appropriate to pickup or store kids toys, but be sure to read this before you spend $200 at the container store!
Put dishes into the dishwasher right away, rather than collecting them on the counter throughout the day.
Tidy up with the kids. Turn on some music and set a timer for a minute (or five), and use the time to help them cultivate good habits. You’d be surprised by how motivated kids are by a timer!
Put away books, games, and magazines when you are finished using them.
Store notebooks and work supplies off the desk and out of sight. There’s nothing like sitting down to a clear desk.
File paperwork as you get it, rather than letting it collect into piles.
After snuggle time on the couch, fold up blankets and fluff the pillows.
Keep a basket under the sink for dirty dish towels, bibs, etc. It’s easy to switch them out for clean ones, and they won’t go musty in the bottom of the hamper.
Tear down cardboard boxes right away and put them in recycling, rather than letting it turn into cardboard mountain.
After washing pots and pans, put them away instead of leaving them in the dry rack. Again - we are trying to avoid mountains of visual clutter!
Scrub the sink each night after dinner dishes, so it doesn’t get gross.
When you wipe the table after meals, do a quick check for sticky floor messes. It’s way easier to clean up a fresh spill than have to chisel dried pasta off the floor later.
This is my favorite: take one minute and count your blessings. Your home is filled with beauty, amazing people, and love. Give yourself permission to enjoy it!
You can see the common thread in these tips: it’s easier to take care of a small mess now than a huge one later. By taking an extra minute to wash or put away something now, it very often saves you triple the time later on if you have to deal with a disorganized pile.
I want you to make these one-minute habits your own, so feel free to make modifications as you see fit. After all, this is your life, and you have to live in it.