Reset your home for Spring!
Spring is almost here, and I’ve got the cleaning bug. Except maybe we should call it the “burn everything and start over” bug.
Anyone else feel the same?!
Instead of burning it all down and starting again, last week I took a few days to actually reset my house for Spring. Because you know what? our house was a disaster. And honestly, it had been since we started homeschooling again. There were toys and books and bags and papers and laundry and I just could not catch up. And it was getting to me.
I’ve heard it said that physical clutter is mental clutter, and that’s SO TRUE for me. I cannot function well in a place that’s chaotic. I can’t be productive when I’m overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. I need clear space and a system in place.
So, last week, I decided I’d had enough. I read somewhere last week that overwhelm isn’t having too much to do, it’s not knowing where to start.
Yep. I get that.
So, I just started. I decided I was NOT going even try to work OR homeschool for the entire day, and instead I was going to systematically attack my house. I knew that getting my space in order would help clear my mental clutter, and then I might actually be able to feel productive again.
It took me the ENTIRE DAY, but I got the living room, kitchen, and kids rooms organized. I purged and folded and cleaned, and basically reset all the rooms.
However, when I clean the rest of the house, the master bedroom tends to be the catch-all for allthestuff that doesn’t have a place. So, I had to use one more day to clean that room. And that one room took me the ENTIRE NEXT DAY.
But now it’s all done and do you know how I feel? Free, my friends. I FEEL FREE!! Free, and inspired and ready for SPRING in my home!!
So here’s my question for you: Does your home need a reset day or two, too?
Why You Might Need A Reset Day:
- The saying is true – physical clutter truly is mental clutter. And when your mind is cluttered, you’re not at your best, plain and simple.
- Sometimes, doing a little at a time just isn’t enough. When the mess is too big, or the tasks are too time consuming, we can’t reclaim order just by doing a little bit of work. Nope, we have to dedicate some serious time to getting a difficult task done all the way. It might feel unproductive to put your work on hold while you clean up your workspace (or putting playing with your kids on hold while you’re cleaning up your home), but I GUARANTEE that you’ll be more productive, more peaceful, and much happier once you’re done!
- Your sanity is worth it. As a mom, it’s so easy to neglect our own needs in order to take care of things for others. But that feeling of being overwhelmed leads to frustration, short tempers, and exhaustion. And that’s just not good for anyone. It’s so helpful to set aside a day or two to get your own stuff in order, so that you can function as a sane, organized person!
Need some help getting started? I’ve got a few tips for you…
RESETTING YOUR HOME:
- Play fun music. It just makes everything better.
- Start in one room, and don’t leave that room until you’re done. Make a list of each room in your house, and work through that list systematically.
- Get three boxes, or start three piles: Keep, Toss, & Donate.
- BE BRUTAL. If you don’t love it, get rid of it. If you haven’t used it in six months, get rid of it!! Seriously – clear the clutter. You will feel SO MUCH BETTER, and if you don’t love it or don’t use it, you’re not gonna miss it.
- Take short breaks. Not Facebook breaks either. I see you over there busting out your phone. Nope, take a break that has a set end time. Do a puzzle with your kid, eat a snack, drink a bottle of water, have a 2-song dance party. Then, get back to work!
- Reward yourself when you’re done. What would you love to do? Read a book? Go out for coffee with a friend? Go on a walk with your family? Working toward a goal will get you through the task a lot faster.
Better yet? Download our FREE Clear The Decks Guide, and get a step-by-step process for resetting your ENTIRE home in just a couple of days.
Friends, your sanity matters. And if your house is driving you insane, then I’m giving you permission to put the rest of your life on hold for a day or two, and take control of your spaces again!
(Not that you need my permission, but, you know. Sometimes it’s just nice to hear someone say it.)
Kayse Pratt serves Christian women as a writer + designer, creating home + life management resources that help those women plan their days around what matters most. She’s created the most unique planner on the market, helped over 400 women create custom home management plans, and works with hundreds of women each month inside her membership, teaching them how to plan their days around what matters most. When she’s not designing printables or writing essays, you’ll find Kayse homeschooling her kids, reading a cheesy novel with a giant cup of tea in hand, or watching an old show from the 90’s with her husband, who is her very best friend.
I identify with all of these feelings so much! And I love your solutions. Thanks for sharing!