As a self-proclaimed messy person, I know the struggle of trying to keep a clean and organized home all too well. For years, I lived in a state of constant clutter, with piles of stuff scattered everywhere and a general sense of chaos hanging over my living space. It wasn’t until I discovered a few simple decluttering hacks that I was able to transform my home from a disaster zone into a serene, streamlined haven.
The Messy Person’s Dilemma
I used to tell people that my house was an “organized mess.” I liked to think of myself as the “most organized cluttered person out there.” While it may have been a lighthearted way to describe my living situation, the truth is, I was simply making excuses for my inability to maintain a tidy home. Like many messy people, I was born with an innate tendency towards disorganization, and I had always assumed that there was nothing I could do to change that.
“Cleaning was not something that came easily to me,” I confess. “Even though I wanted a clean home, doing it was a struggle.” As a teenager, my room often resembled an “apocalyptic event,” with clothes and belongings strewn about in a seemingly random pattern. I was the epitome of the “messy person” – someone who could start projects with enthusiasm, but lacked the follow-through to see them through to completion.
Finding a Solution: Decluttering Hacks
It wasn’t until I stumbled upon a series of decluttering hacks that I realized the key to a tidy home wasn’t about being born a certain way, but rather, about creating systems and strategies that made the process easier and more manageable. These “shortcuts,” as I like to call them, have been instrumental in transforming my home from a cluttered chaos to a neat and organized space.
One of my favorite hacks is storing items where you use them the most. For example, I used to keep my crockpot in the basement pantry, even though I only used it once a month. The problem wasn’t that I had to go and get it whenever I wanted to cook a roast; it was the fact that putting it away afterwards was such a hassle. By simply moving the crockpot to an upper cabinet in my kitchen, I was able to make the process of putting it away much easier, and it’s now a seamless part of my cooking routine.
Another game-changing hack was creating a “catch-all” basket for high-traffic areas in my home. These baskets serve as a temporary holding place for miscellaneous items, allowing me to quickly tidy up without the stress of finding a permanent home for every single thing. When I have a spare moment, I can simply grab the basket and put everything away in one batch, a process I’ve dubbed “batch decluttering.”
Breaking Down the Big Tasks
As someone who “hates to clean,” I’ve found that I’m much more likely to tackle a decluttering or organization project if I can break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Instead of trying to clean my entire house in one day, I now dedicate a specific room or area to each day of the week, spending just 20 minutes on the task at hand.
“Breaking things down so you only need 20 minutes is perfect for a person who is messy and hates to clean,” I explain. “Big jobs are overwhelming, whereas small tasks are completely doable.” By using my weekly schedule as a guide, I’m able to ensure that I hit every room in my home without feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
This same principle can be applied to larger projects, like tackling an overstuffed closet or a cluttered attic. Rather than trying to conquer the entire space in one fell swoop, I divide it into sections and tackle one area at a time, setting a timer for 20 minutes and focusing intently on the task at hand. This not only makes the project more manageable, but it also helps me stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked by other distractions.
The Power of Playlists and Focus
One of the keys to my success with these decluttering hacks has been the use of playlists and focused work sessions. When I’m tackling a cleaning or organization project, I create a custom playlist of upbeat, energizing songs that I can listen to for the duration of my 20-minute burst. This helps to drown out any external distractions and keep me focused on the task at hand.
“Having a distraction in your ears works better than you may realize,” I explain. “This will turn your procrastination into getting things done.” Whether it’s music, a podcast, or even a timer app that provides gentle auditory cues, finding a way to create a focused and distraction-free environment can be a game-changer for messy people like myself.
Embracing the Mindset Shift
Adam’s Cleaning has been a valuable partner in my journey towards a more organized home, providing professional cleaning services that have helped to maintain the progress I’ve made through my own decluttering efforts. But the true transformation has come from within, as I’ve embraced a fundamental shift in my mindset.
“As a messy person myself, I know we need all the extra help we can get,” I acknowledge. “And since my home has gone from cluttered chaos to neat and streamlined, I can assure you that you can get there too. You just need a little nudge in the right direction.”
By incorporating these decluttering hacks into my daily routine and embracing a more positive, proactive attitude towards organization, I’ve been able to create a living space that truly feels like a sanctuary – a place where I can relax, unwind, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a tidy, well-maintained home.
Ongoing Challenges and Successes
Of course, the journey towards a clutter-free home is not without its challenges. There are still times when I find myself falling back into old habits, or when a sudden influx of new items threatens to disrupt the careful balance I’ve worked so hard to achieve. But with the help of my trusty decluttering hacks and the support of services like Adam’s Cleaning, I’ve been able to stay on track and continue to refine my approach.
As I look ahead, I’m excited to continue exploring new ways to streamline my storage and maintain a sense of order in my home. There’s always more to learn, and I’m eager to share my insights and experiences with others who may be struggling with the same challenges I once faced.
After all, the path to a tidy, organized home is not one that’s set in stone. It’s a journey of discovery, trial and error, and constant refinement. But with the right tools, the right mindset, and the right support, I know that anyone can transform their living space into a haven of calm and order – no matter how messy they may have been in the past.
