Our homes should be our safe spaces, where we can come back to recharge our batteries, relax, and be ourselves. But if you’re like Yvonne, who visited us on our Facebook recently, our homes can feel overwhelming and stressful if the mess has gotten out of hand.
It’s easy to let the mess get out of hand, too. Especially if you have small children, or if you work a lot, it seems like everything just piles up. It can make us feel anxious, stressed, and depressed. And to be honest, it can be paralyzing.
So where do you begin? In an effort to help you beat those paralyzing feelings, here is my method of how to tackle the turmoil, one task at a time.
Pick One Room to Start With
When we’re overwhelmed with just how much needs to get done, it helps to just start with one room. Forget about the mess in every other room for the time being.
In an effort to stay focused on cleaning that one room, I like to make piles of things that need to get put up in other rooms, but you could use boxes or laundry baskets, too. Each pile should be items that need to get put away somewhere else.
For instance, have a pile of everything that needs to go to your bedroom, a pile of everything that belongs in the closet, and a pile of anything that needs to go to the kitchen.
Once you have sorted the entire room into piles or boxes, then you can take each pile into their corresponding areas at the same time. This method helps to keep you from getting sidetracked when carrying things from room to room.
Divide the Room Into Smaller Tasks
Part of the reason why you are overwhelmed is because you’re looking at the big picture. Instead, divide it into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, let’s say you’re looking at your messy bedroom. Divide it into smaller tasks that you can focus on, one at a time:
- pick up all laundry on the floor
- get rid of clutter on top of your dresser
- reorganizing clothes in the dresser
- getting rid of clothes that don’t fit
- take any dishes to the kitchen (old coffee mugs, anyone?)
- put all trash into a trash bag
- remove all the toys that the kids have dragged into your room
- get rid of any clutter on your nightstand
- put shoes away where they belong
- hang up purses or any other small bags
- organize everything you’ve shoved under the bed!
Focus on One Task at a Time
I know I’ve already said it already, but I’m saying it again. You need to focus on a single task at one time. It’s really hard to not look at the big picture, but looking at the “small picture” is the best way to overcome being overwhelmed and paralyzed.
Ditch Things
I don’t know what’s more overwhelming than clutter, so ditch it. I find it ironic that we spend so much time collecting and holding on to things because we think those objects will make us happy, but in the end, they have the opposite effect when we’re buried in clutter!
Divide your belongs into two categories: things you need, and things you don’t need. If you need it, you should be able to find a permanent place for it in your home. If it’s broken, it doesn’t fit anymore, it’s old, you have more than one, etc. then you definitely don’t need it and you should toss it.
Wipe Everything Down
Now that everything is out of your way, it’s time to actually clean everything! Take the time to dust everything, and yes, even the blinds and baseboards. Clean light fixtures, windows, and the TV screen. If your couch cushions come off, wash them, too.
If you’re cleaning the bedroom, go ahead and wash the bedding (clean sheets day is always the best day). And don’t forget about the floors! Make sure you vacuum carpet or rugs, and mop hard surfaces.
Kat Sweet
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