7 SIMPLE WAYS TO BECOME A MORE TIDY PERSON

I’ve never been the most tidy person. Even as a kid, it seemed to me that trait was innate in some people, including one of my close friends who at 8 years old would help me organize books and toys at sleepovers. And as an adult, those habits are still apparent, and her home is ready for guests at any moment (where I need a nice heads up before my home feels remotely acceptable to others eyes). I’ve read a lot of books and asked my tidiest friends their advice, and a lot of the same things seems to come up. I’ve made some small changes along the way (like being more mindful to put away my shoes as soon as I get home), but I’m ready for some real change to keep a clean house.

I know it won’t happen over night, but I thought for the next month, I would put these practices into action and let you know how it went and what really works as spring cleaning is just around the corner.

What Would A tidy person do?

At the end of the day, becoming more tidy all comes down to habits. One book I really enjoyed on the subject of creating new habits was Atomic Habits by James Clear. I enjoyed it because it felt like there were actionable things I could start that day without feeling too overwhelmed. One of the things that stuck with me the most though, was the idea that once we identify the type of person we want to become, (in this case a more tidy person) you should ask yourself the question “What would a tidy person do?”. For me, this question helped a lot when it came to my shoes. Would a tidy person kick off their shoes and leave them in the middle of the living room or take a moment to put them away? Then I would take the 30 seconds to put them away and keep my living room from becoming a hang out spot for my shoes. I highly suggest checking out Atomic Habits for more on this idea.

One corner at a time

I know how overwhelming a messy room can be, especially if it’s a larger area. It can feel like a mountain, and you may start thinking, “Where do I begin? How long is this going to take? Do I even have time for this?” BUT the truth is that it often takes less time than you think, and all you have to do is start with one single corner. Don’t try to take on every inch of the room at once; tidy section by section. Slowly you’ll be able to chip away at the mess, and once you get in the groove, you may not want to stop until the job is done. Have courage, and do your best! And when in doubt, ask for help. We’ve all got friends willing to lend a hand when things feel too big to conquer.

15 minutes at night

When you really think about it, fifteen minutes is not very long. Some days are long and challenging, and the very last thing I want to do is put in the work to clean house at the end of the night, but sometimes all it takes is setting a fifteen-minute timer. For the next 30 days, I’ll try to take fifteen minutes every night and clean up as much as possible before the timer runs out. Whether that’s picking up the dogs’ toys, putting pillows back in their place, or taking on the mound of dishes by the sink, I’m going to try to get in the habit of tidying a bit before I sleep. I know it’ll ease some cleaning pressure the next day and help me wind down more efficiently each night. If I’m not thinking about what I have to clean right when I wake up, I’ll be less stressed the night before.

Less stress = happier and healthier Megan

Make my bed everyday

This task seems small, but it can be tough to check it off the list. Making your bed will certainly make the room seem cleaner and more put together, and I’ve discovered that it doesn’t need to be a whole endeavor. Simply pulling the comforter back into place and propping the pillows against our headboard gives the bed a more uniform look. Is it perfect? No. Do I tuck the corners and straighten the layers of sheets underneath every single time? Certainly not. But I’m helping to form a habit that makes my life seem less chaotic daily. Remember: we’re not aiming for perfection — if you can’t achieve a clean house, a cleaner house will do!

use it, clean it

This one is simple: clean whatever you just used right after you’re done with it. Now, if you’re cooking dinner, I don’t mean that you must simultaneously clean and cook — though some meals that need to sit for a while will allow for this. I just mean that it’s helpful not to let it sit until the following day. When the night winds down and I’m full from dinner and tired, I’ll occasionally leave the dishes thinking, “I can get to those tomorrow.” But sometimes, tomorrow comes and goes, and I have dishes piling up. The task gets bigger and bigger and bigger. My new goal is to clean things right after I use them. No more letting dishes sit in the sink. The same applies to laundry! When a load comes out of the dryer, I’ll try to fold those clothes and put them away immediately.

Everything Needs a “Home”

You know that drawer that holds miscellaneous items or the spot on your kitchen counter that seems to collect random things? It’s time to find a permanent home for those things. This task may encourage you to purge a bit — as it has with me — but you don’t have to! Your aim should mainly be to make sure everything has a proper place. If you can’t find a daily spot for something, it might be time to consider getting rid of something somewhere. I’m trying to eliminate that step when tidying up where I have to figure out a place for those miscellaneous items. If I can find a home for everything, I can put things away when the time comes to clean house.

After a busy holiday season and exciting first month of 2023, this cleaning challenge is the perfect opportunity for me to set healthier habits for my life and invest in my home in practical ways. Plus, this challenge will act as a little practice round before spring comes! And in a month, I’ll check back in and let you know my thoughts, so I’d love for you all to join me. Try out these five tips to keep a tidy house, a clean house, a house that won’t add more stress to your week…