Life is busy.
Between work, school runs, playdates, and trying to remember to take your pup for a walk, it’s no wonder that our homes can sometimes look less like the perfectly curated spaces we see on Instagram and more like a tornado (or three) swept through. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay.
We live in a world where the pressure to have a picture-perfect home is everywhere. Social media is filled with images of totally immaculate living rooms, sparkling kitchens, and perfectly organized playrooms. With two YOUNG girls myself, I often feel like everyone else has it all together and we’re the only ones struggling to find a pair of matching socks in the morning. But here’s the thing: life is too short to worry about what others think of your home.
The Reality Behind the Clutter
Let’s be real for a moment- raising a family is hard work. Children, with all their joy and energy, also come with a lot of stuff. Toys, clothes, books, art supplies, sports gear—the list is endless. What’s crazy is they also keep growing so there’s just ALWAYS new kid stuff coming into our homes! Right now I’m trying to figure out the best spot for my toddler’s new-found fascination with playdough. So like, where’s all this new playdough and complimentary accessories going to live? While we love our little ones dearly, keeping up with the constant influx of their belongings can feel like a never-ending battle.
Think about it: when you walk into someone’s home, do you immediately start judging them based on how many toys are scattered on the floor or how many dishes are in the sink? Of course not. We’re all in the same boat, trying to keep afloat during the chaos of family life. So why do we think others are judging us?
Embrace the Imperfection
The truth is, no one has a perfectly organized home all the time. Those flawless spaces you see online? They’re often the result of hours of curation- cleaning, staging, and sometimes even professional help. I listened to a Second Life podcast episode recently featuring Shea McGee. You know, Dream Home Makeover! Her team spends a lot of time curating spaces just to film YouTube videos. Like, entire teams. That was good reminder for me that the photos and videos you see online don’t reflect the everyday reality of living with kids.
Instead of striving for perfection, let’s embrace the imperfections. A cluttered home doesn’t mean you’re failing as a parent or a homemaker. It simply means you’re human. It’s okay to have a pile of laundry waiting to be folded or a sink full of dishes at the end of a long day.
Doing the Best You Can Today
Rather than focusing on what others might think, try shifting your focus to doing the best you can today. No matter your desired outcome it’s all about progress, not perfection. Here are some friendly tips to help you along the way:
- Set Realistic Goals: Don’t aim to declutter your entire house in one weekend. Start small. Pick one room or even one area of a room and tackle that. Small, consistent efforts can lead to big changes over time.
- Make a Plan: Write down what you want to achieve and break it into manageable steps. For example, if you want to organize the kids’ playroom, your plan might include sorting toys into categories, donating items they no longer use, and finding storage solutions for what’s left.
- Involve the Family: Getting everyone involved not only lightens your load but also teaches your kids valuable life skills. You can even turn organizing into a game or a fun family activity! Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish together in 15 minutes.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Remember, you’re doing your best. Some days will be more productive than others, and that’s okay. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
The Importance of a Plan
Having a plan is crucial when it comes to decluttering and organizing your home. Without a plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. Begin by identifying the areas that cause you the most stress. Is it the overflowing toy bins? The cluttered kitchen counters? The piles of clothes in the laundry room?
Once you’ve pinpointed the problem areas, create a plan of action. Write down what you need to do and set a timeline. For example, if the kids’ playroom is a disaster zone, your plan might look something like this:
- Day 1: Sort through toys and separate into categories (keep, donate, trash).
- Day 2: Find storage solutions (bins, shelves, baskets) for the toys you’re keeping.
- Day 3: Arrange the toys in their new storage homes and create a system for keeping them organized.
Execution: Turning Plans into Reality
With a plan in place, it’s time to execute. This is where the magic happens. Take it one step at a time, and remember to be flexible. Life with kids is unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s at a slower pace than you’d like.
As you work through your plan, you’ll start to see progress. The playroom will become more organized, the kitchen counters will clear up, and the laundry piles will shrink. Celebrate these victories, no matter how small. Each step forward is a step towards a more organized and less stressful home.
Laugh Through the Chaos
Let’s face it, organizing a home with young kids is a bit like trying to nail jelly to a wall. Just when you think you’ve got it all under control, another mess appears. Instead of getting frustrated, try to find the humor in the situation.
Remember the time you spent hours organizing the kids’ craft supplies, only to find glitter in every corner of the house the next day? Or the day you finally cleared off the kitchen counter, only for it to be covered in school projects and snack wrappers an hour later? These moments are all part of the beautiful chaos that is family life.
In Conclusion
Feeling judged by others for having a cluttered home is something many of us experience, but it’s important to remember that life is too short to worry about what others think. Focus on doing the best you can today, make a plan to organize, and execute it at your own pace. Embrace the imperfections and even find the humor in the chaos! The next time you step on a stray LEGO or find yourself knee-deep in laundry, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re doing an amazing job. Your home is a reflection of the wonderful, busy, loving family that lives there, and that’s something to be proud of.
Have you ever felt judged by others about clutter in your home? Drop a comment and let me know!
