Do you want to take steps towards a tidier home but don’t have the bandwidth for an organizational overhaul? Try these micro habits! These habits have a low bar of entry, but their impact over time can be substantial. The low intensity of these micro habits will help you get over the initial start up stall and will get the motivation flowing. Consider trying a handful of these micro habits over the next month and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the positive synergy that is generated!
1. Don’t leave the room empty-handed
Every time you leave a room, do a quick scan for any items that need to be returned to their home. If you’re heading downstairs, bring along the load of laundry. When leaving the living room, bring along that stray coffee mug.
2. Begin with warmth and light: Open the blinds and light a candle
Tidying is about stewardship. Light a candle in the room before you begin cleaning to set a positive mood. This will help gradually teach you that tidying is a peaceful ritual rather than a frenzied, anxiety-filled burden. Let the sun shine in! Not only will the natural light help you see what needs to be cleaned, it is also a mood booster.
3. If it takes under 60 seconds, do it immediately
As they say, “later” is clutter's favorite word! If the task will genuinely only take 60 seconds, do it immediately. Every unfinished task adds mental clutter to your headspace, so knocking out the low-hanging fruit of short and simple tasks is the best way to keep things tidy both internally and externally.
4. Fold your clean laundry in front of your dresser
We all know that folding and putting away clothes is the slowest step of the laundry process. Reduce friction by relocating where you fold your laundry. Fold the laundry in your room on your bed so that you can immediately put it away in the dresser before you leave the room. If you are unable to put it away immediately upon folding, at least the clothes stacked on your bed serve as a built-in reminder to put them away before the end of the day!
5. If it’s “almost” trash, it’s trash
Resist the urge to linger over items that are destined for the trash bin. When bringing in the mail, put junk mail directly into the trash rather than into a messy paper pile. Unless you have an organized system for wannabe craft materials, put that “good box” straight into recycling!
6. Shop with a one-in-one-out mentality
When you are contemplating a new purchase, adopt a one-in-one-out policy. Thinking about what item you are going to give away or replace with the new item can offer perspective on whether that purchase is really necessary. A strict one-in-one-out policy will keep your home tidy by matching the influx of new items with a steady stream of giveaways.
7. Rotate décor with the liturgical seasons
In Lent and Advent, pare down additional décor to simplify your environment and make tidying even easier. During the following seasons of celebration like Easter and Christmas, you may find that just a few beautiful items that you love make the space feel special rather than feeling the need to pile more ornamentation on top of your baseline clutter. Changing out décor every few months with the seasons adds visual interest and can help you stay motivated and energized to steward your space.
8. Create low friction drop zones
Tidiness starts with your current habits. If you kick off your shoes and leave them in a pile, try a shoe tray. If you never put your keys onto their hook, try a bowl at your entry way that holds only your keys and wallet. The difference between an open topped box and the extra step of removing and replacing the lid can make a big difference! Becoming more aware of your current habits allows you to make tidier systems without changing everything about your routine.
9. Keep cleaning wipes visible and accessible
Keeping cleaning wipes near the area where you want to use them can help you remember to do a simple wipedown. Keep some on an upper shelf in the playroom so you can clean some toys while your child is playing. Stash some in the bathroom to quickly wipe out the sink or sanitize high touch areas. Eliminate the extra step of fetching the cleaning supplies, and you’ll be surprised how much easier it is to do a quick little wipe down.
10. Shift your inner dialogue
Keeping a tidy home can be a challenge that at times becomes discouraging. Memorize or post a few reminder scripts to keep your inner dialogue positive and Christ-centered. Lean on some of your favorite Bible verses to remind yourself that the tidiness of your home is not a measure of your self-worth. Gratitude for the gift of your home and family is always relevant! Thank God for each room of your house, for the full refrigerator, for the children who made those messes. A spirit of gratitude changes everything! Shift your inner dialogue from “I have to (do the laundry, wash the dishes, clean out the garage)” to “I get to make my home a place of peace, rest, and welcome.”