Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 61 of Life On the Brink!
If you’ve ever been here:
-your home is consistently messy
-the thought of cleaning your space feels stressful
-you panic-clean whenever someone is coming over
-you struggle to be productive OR relaxed at home due to clutter
Today is for you! I totally relate to so many of those things, but in recent years I have come to truly treasure my home. It’s a place where we can really relax and be ourselves, especially when it reflects us well. That being said, it’s hard to enjoy your home if it’s a mess, or if household chores feel overwhelming.
I have found that when my home is clean and tidy, my mental space is so much more at ease. On the other hand, though, I want to be able to actually live in my home, which makes things messy. For me, the key has been in forming regular habits that keep my home in good shape. In general, my home stays clean and tidy, and it’s a priority that truly enriches my everydays.
Today I’m simply sharing some of those tips and habits with you, so that you can enjoy your clean space, your sanctuary that much more.
What’s in my teacup? I’ve been making cold brew coffee lately, and today I’m having a nice foamy iced latte.
A FEW THOUGHTS BEFORE WE DIVE IN:
-Everyone’s idea of “a clean house” is different. I am definitely not a minimalist, so my idea of a tidy home still has a lot going on. Find out what feels like the best version of your space.
-When it comes to more “random” jobs like cleaning the microwave, fridge, bathtub, couch cushions, etc. I usually tend to these on a need-to basis. I sweep our little apartment a couple times a week here and there, and take care of trash cans and wiping down surfaces as it comes up. This episode is more about the daily tasks that help make these more intentional (less habitual) chores much easier.
-Disclaimer: I live with my husband in a small apartment. Obviously we all have different living situations, some with pets or children or roommates, and you can add or tailor these suggestions to your needs. I also include some other resources for just those kinds of things at the bottom of the blog.
And now, let’s get into my 8 habits to help keep your home a space that you love…
MY 8 TIDY HOME HABITS
1. Make the bed. I mentioned this in Episode 59 LINKLINK, because it’s truly a part of my morning routine every single day. Making this a habit is really a game changer. It just helps set the mood for the rest of the morning (and rest of the day), letting you accomplish something first thing in the morning. It doesn’t have to be incredibly ornate, but a simply clean bed makes the whole room (and my brain) feel more collected.
2. Have a place for everything. This one is HUGE! How can you tidy up your place if you don’t know where things are supposed to go? Give every item in your house a “home” if you will, where it can always go. And these places can change! I like to decorate seasonally, and that sometimes shifts where certain (especially decorative) items go, and that works for me!
Here’s a couple of thoughts to help with that:
-baskets and bins help to organize things by color/category/function
-having a sort of “catch-all” dish or basket in a certain area can help collect those little random bits that otherwise would have no home.
-I like to decorate with a lot of functional items like teacups and books. Rather than designate all of them to a bookshelf or cabinet, why not display them in an easy-to-access spot?
3. Punctuate pockets of time with a little tidy. THIS is what really makes a difference, in my opinion. If I’ve been working at my desk all day, I will finish the “work time” by tidying up the space. If I’ve been getting ready for the day, I like to finish by putting the bathroom and vanity back to rights. When I get home from an outing, I like to unpack any bags I have right away, getting everything to where it goes before moving on to the next thing.
As I go about my day, which is naturally split into different kinds of spaces and functions, I like to tidy up from one before starting the next. Usually it only takes a minute or two, but makes a huge difference over time.
4. Make cleaning the kitchen part of the mealtime ritual. You all know that I love to cook, but let me tell you, I make a MESS in the kitchen. Usually I’m multitasking on lots of different things, and while I might put some ingredients away as I’m wrapping up, I definitely make a bit of a mess.
Josh and I have made a habit, though, of cleaning the kitchen as part of the evening routine. We split up the work (I handle leftovers, loading the dishwasher, countertops and floors while he washes pots, knives, cutting boards, etc.) and it takes about 10 minutes. It feels so good to wake up to a clean kitchen each morning, totally worth the clean.
5. Take stock of your home seasonally. Basically “spring cleaning” all year round. With each change of season, wardrobe, decor, why not take the time to think about what you actually use?
This is an opportunity to let go of things that don’t need to take up precious space in your home, and to clean some spots that can get overlooked.
6. Tidy up before bed or as part of your morning routine. I personally like to do this at night before Josh and I head to bed. It’s now just part of my routine, along with skincare and pajamas. It’s usually just making sure the living or office space is back in order, and only takes a minute or two (since the kitchen is already done).
7. Take a reset day. Some people will refer to this as their “Sunday Routine,” in which the house is sort of reset. Usually the weekends include doing laundry, along with any chores or repairs that take two people or have been left during the week.
Sometimes Josh and I will have a crazy couple of days and the house will get a little out of hand. In those cases, I’ll give an afternoon to cleaning, laundry, sweeping/vacuuming and putting everything into its place.
8. Add something to make it lovely. Because what’s the point of having a clean home if you can’t enjoy it?
-if you’ve spent the morning tidying up, finish by lighting your favorite candle or diffusing some essential oils.
-fresh flowers always adorn our dining table, and they truly make the space look so happy.
-if you have a long cleaning afternoon ahead of you, put on some music or your favorite movie to listen to. You’re doing something good for yourself and your space, and there’s no reason not to make it as lovely a time as you can.
And with that, friend, I hope you’re able to enjoy your space that much more. A clean space always helps make a clean mind. No matter where you live, your home can be a sanctuary, a soft place to land each day. By simply making these habits, it can become an inviting place for you and others.
More Inspiration: trust me, these are so good.
And if you’d like another homey podcast episode:
This Week’s Little Joy: I’ve been on a Nancy Meyers kick, finally watching movies like “Something’s Gotta Give” and “It’s Complicated” (and re-watching “The Parent Trap” of course) with Josh and I’m LOVING it! The home interiors and the classic fashion are my complete summer vibe, and I love stories that highlight women in their later years. It’s just so inspiring and comforting to me, and I will definitely be seeking out all other films Nancy has ever touched.
What I’m Listening To: Like I’ve mentioned, cleaning to music makes it SO much easier, and I’ve actually been curating a playlist over time of tunes that make chores feel lighter, simpler, and more fun. It’s a lot of Latin rhythms cause I like to dance, and it’s got some good up-tempo jazz to romanticize it all. Check it out and find a little joy in taking care of your space.
Thank you so much for listening! Feel free to leave a comment below, or reach out to me on IG if you liked this episode.
If you haven't yet left a star rating or a review on Apple Podcasts, it would mean to much to me. And as always, have a lovely week,friend!