We all have those days where we feel like we’re drowning in clutter. It seems as if it’s everywhere, from the kitchen counter to the office desk, all the way to the bedroom. It’s not just a question of aesthetics, either. Studies show that clutter can actually have a negative impact on our mental and physical health. However, decluttering doesn’t need to be a daunting task that consumes your whole day.
Here are 17 small wins you can achieve before lunchtime to create a more organized and peaceful space.
1. Make Your Bed
Starting your day by making your bed can set the tone for the rest of the day. It’s a simple task that can give you a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning. Plus, a neatly made bed can instantly make your bedroom look cleaner and more organized.
Making your bed doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Simply straighten the sheets, fluff the pillows, and smooth out the comforter or blanket. It’s a quick task, but its impact on the overall appearance of your room is significant. Plus, it creates a welcoming space for you to return to at the end of the day.
2. Clear Your Kitchen Counter
The kitchen counter is one of the most common places where clutter accumulates. Whether it’s mail, keys, or dishes, items seem to gravitate towards this space. Taking the time to clear off your kitchen counter can make your entire kitchen feel cleaner and more spacious.
Start by putting away any items that don’t belong in the kitchen. Then, focus on reducing the number of items that permanently live on your counter. The goal is to have as much clear space as possible, which not only looks better but also gives you more room to prepare meals.
3. Empty the Dishwasher
An empty dishwasher can make a big difference in the appearance and functionality of your kitchen. Dishes can accumulate quickly, leading to a cluttered sink and counters. By starting the day with an empty dishwasher, you have a place to put dirty dishes right away, preventing them from piling up.
First thing in the morning, unload any clean dishes from the dishwasher. This way, as you use dishes throughout the day, you can place them directly into the dishwasher instead of letting them pile up in the sink. This not only keeps your kitchen looking tidy but also reduces the amount of time you spend washing dishes later on.
4. Clear Out Your Inbox
A cluttered inbox can be just as overwhelming as a cluttered room. It’s easy to let emails pile up until you have hundreds or even thousands of unread messages. Taking the time to clear out your inbox can help reduce stress and make it easier to stay on top of important communications.
Start by deleting any spam or unimportant emails. Then, go through your unread messages and respond to any that require immediate attention. Finally, organize your remaining emails into folders or categories for easy access later on.
5. Tidy Up Your Desk
A tidy desk can significantly improve your productivity and focus. It’s difficult to work efficiently when you’re surrounded by clutter. Spending a few minutes each morning to organize your desk can help create a more conducive work environment.
Start by removing any items that don’t belong on your desk. Then, organize your remaining items, making sure everything has a designated place. Keep frequently used items within easy reach and store less frequently used items out of sight to maintain a clean workspace.
6. Clean Out Your Purse or Wallet
Carrying around a cluttered purse or wallet can add unnecessary stress to your day. Receipts, change, and miscellaneous items tend to accumulate over time. Regularly cleaning out your purse or wallet can help keep this under control.
Empty out everything and only put back the essentials. Dispose of any trash, and find a place for items that don’t need to be carried around with you all the time. Your purse or wallet should only contain what you need on a daily basis.
7. Sort Through Your Mail
Mail is one of the biggest sources of clutter for many people. It’s easy to let it pile up, leading to a cluttered entryway and the possibility of important mail getting lost. Spend a few minutes each morning sorting through your mail to prevent this.
Immediately recycle any junk mail and open any bills or important correspondence. File away anything that needs to be kept and dispose of the rest. This not only keeps your space tidy but also ensures you stay on top of any important documents or payments.
8. Organize Your Shoes
A pile of shoes by the front door is a common sight in many homes. While it’s convenient, it can also create a lot of clutter. Organizing your shoes can make your entryway look much neater.
Consider investing in a shoe rack or storage bench to keep your shoes organized. As a rule of thumb, only keep out the shoes you wear most frequently. The rest can be stored away in your closet.
9. Declutter Your Bathroom Counter
Bathroom counters can easily become cluttered with toiletries and beauty products. Keeping this area neat can make your bathroom look cleaner and more spacious.
Put away any items that aren’t used daily, and organize the items that are. Consider using organizers or storage solutions to keep everything in its place.
10. Clean Out Your Car
Your car is an extension of your home, and it’s just as important to keep it clean and clutter-free. A clean car can make your commute more enjoyable and reduce stress.
Remove any trash and take out items that don’t need to be in the car. Then, organize the items that do need to be in the car, such as maps, chargers, and emergency supplies.
11. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails
Unwanted emails can quickly fill up your inbox and create digital clutter. Unsubscribing from these emails can help reduce this clutter and make it easier to manage your inbox.
Go through your emails and unsubscribe from any newsletters or subscriptions you’re no longer interested in. This can significantly reduce the number of emails you receive each day.
12. Declutter Your Phone
Just like physical spaces, your phone can also become cluttered with unused apps, photos, and files. Regularly decluttering your phone can help it run smoother and make it easier to find what you need.
Delete any apps you no longer use and organize the remaining ones into folders. Also, go through your photos and files, deleting any you don’t need to keep.
13. Clear Off Your Dining Table
A clear dining table can make your whole house feel cleaner. Plus, it encourages family meals and makes entertaining easier.
Remove any clutter and only keep what’s necessary on the table, such as a centerpiece. Make it a rule to clear off the table after each meal.
14. Organize Your Junk Drawer
Every home has a junk drawer, but it doesn’t have to be a chaotic mess. Organizing this drawer can make it easier to find what you need.
Sort through the items and throw away any rubbish. Then, use drawer organizers to keep the remaining items neat.
15. Declutter Your Fridge
A cluttered fridge can make meal prep more difficult and lead to wasted food. Regularly decluttering your fridge can help prevent this.
Get rid of any expired food and organize the remaining items so that it’s easy to see what you have.
16. Clear Out Your Closet
A cluttered closet can make it difficult to find what you need and lead to frustration in the morning. Spend a few minutes each day decluttering your closet to make getting dressed easier.
Remove any items you no longer wear and organize the remaining clothes by type or color.
17. Organize Your Pantry
A well-organized pantry can make meal planning and grocery shopping easier. Plus, it can prevent food waste by making it easy to see what you have.
Remove any expired food and organize the remaining items by type or use. Consider using bins or baskets to keep similar items together.