Clean slate = clean state of mind

I never realized how much my environment affected my mindset until I started feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up. The toys, dishes, and piles of laundry weren’t just clutter — they were a reflection of how overwhelmed I felt inside. I’d look around and think, this isn’t me. My house didn’t feel like a peaceful space anymore; it felt like another task I was behind on.

I grew up in a very clean and organized home, so it’s in my nature to feel calm when my surroundings are in order. But over time, with kids, work, and life happening, that structure slipped away. One day I decided enough was enough. I wanted our home to feel peaceful again — not perfect, but peaceful.

On the surface, our house looked about as busy as any family home — we did a fair job of keeping things “together.” But behind closed doors, it was overwhelming for me, especially mentally.

I felt stuck — a busy mom and wife who loves her sleep and social life. Cleaning and organizing often fell to second place. To the average person, our house probably seemed “well-kept,” but I felt the walls closing in. I didn’t realize how much stress came from things not being put away — from waking up to toys in the living room or dishes piled high in the sink.

So, I started making small changes — simple rules that would help us maintain peace in our home without feeling like we were constantly cleaning. Before we jump into the rules, it’s worth mentioning that for a long time, we each had our “areas of expertise.” Austin’s was the kitchen, and mine was laundry. Over time, though, we learned that you can get burnt out on your area. I realized that sometimes, we both need a little help from each other — and that’s the beauty of marriage: you’re a team. So now, instead of sticking strictly to our zones, we both make an effort to keep the sink empty and share the load together.

Rule 1: Unload the Dishwasher in the Morning

Unload it in the morning, fill it throughout the day, and no matter what — run it every night.

To my parents, this would be criminal. I grew up in a house that ran the dishwasher maybe once a month because hand washing and drying were “faster.” Not in my book, lol. Time is precious these days, and having an empty sink is true peace of mind.

We’ve had this rule for a while, but when life gets busy, it’s usually the first thing to slip.

Rule 2: Do Something with Laundry Every Day

This might mean washing a load and putting it in the dryer, folding and putting things away, or organizing our laundry room (which, if I’m being honest, easily turns into a dump zone). Long trip? Laundry room. Lake weekend? Laundry room. Company coming over and not sure what to do with stuff? Laundry room.

Now I try to tackle something laundry-related every day to keep it manageable.

Rule 3: Pick Up Toys Before Bed

If you’re me, that means carefully organizing toys into their matching sets, putting them in their proper bins, and setting things up so the boys can actually see what they have when they start playing.

If you’re Austin, that means tossing everything into whatever bin is closest — as long as it’s off the floor. 😂

Honestly, either works. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s walking into a toy-free living room at the end of the day and feeling like you can breathe again.

Rule 4: End the Day with a Clean Kitchen

Dishes loaded, counters wiped, everything back in its place, floor swept. Having a clean kitchen makes the next day run smoother — morning coffee tastes better, breakfast is easier, and the baby can crawl around without finding last night’s leftovers.

Truthfully, I’d love to mop nightly too, but that’s just not realistic with a one-year-old who throws everything on the floor during meals. So for now, a quick sweep is our win.

Austin and I came up with this system together to help us feel like we’re not cleaning 24/7. These simple tasks — maybe 45 minutes a day total — didn’t just change our home, they changed my mindset. I started noticing that when my environment was calm, I was calmer. I had more patience, more energy, and even more creativity. Instead of feeling drained by my surroundings, I started to feel supported by them.

And the best part? It’s not about having a Pinterest-perfect home. It’s about creating a space that makes me want to show up fully — as a mom, a wife, and simply as Syd.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that keeping a home organized isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Some days our house still looks like a tornado came through (because, well, kids and a husband). But now, instead of feeling defeated, I know where to start. I know that resetting our home resets me, too.

Getting back to me has meant getting back to the things that bring me peace — and a clean, organized home is one of them. Sticking to these rules has given me back my time, my energy, and a sense of calm I didn’t even realize I was missing.

If you’re feeling buried by the day-to-day chaos, start small — one habit, one space, one step at a time. Little by little, you’ll feel the shift — not just in your home, but in your heart too. 💛