Of course I tidy my house… at the end of ~most~ days

Alright, I know you’re feeling it. The Christmas rush is through.

You look around your living room and see new things. Things that weren’t there just a couple days ago. Even if you tidied up after your holiday visits, chances are there’s still work that still needs done today in order to declutter and reorganize your space to accommodate your new possessions. As a home organizer Columbus I too am feeling the after effects of the holidays around here.

In the back of my mind I have a running personal organization checklist that pops into my line of focus a few times a day. On it are: swap the baby’s clothes for her new size of new items, put insane amount of laundry away, pull out all the toys and decide which ones we don’t need out/accessible anymore, decide if we’re going to donate any toys/books, find new home for new toys, find best storage containers for new toys (if needed), etc. etc.. Wow, I’m actually really glad I wrote all that out right now. Will someone please check back in with me in like a month to make sure all that got done? I kind of feel like I need a nesting party right now? Lol.

What I’m trying to say is that right now is a really intense organizational period for a lot of people (new things mean new systems or reevaluation is needed to keep your home running the way you like it) but life isn’t usually like this. Most people could really benefit from a simple 15-20 minute tidy up each night to keep their home organization systems running smoothly and declutter to an absolute minimum. Sure- it’s definitely work. But the more consistently you execute these simple tidying tasks the easier they will seem to you over time. In addition, throw on a podcast you’re excited to listen to, a favorite playlist (Hey Siri, play the Reputation album by T Swift), or call your bestie to keep you company. Basically, trick your brain into thinking this really isn’t that bad. Your future self will thank you BIG TIME.

How to approach the Home Organizer Columbus nightly reset.

The kids are in bed. The dog has been fed. You’ve eaten. There’s nothing else absolutely pressing for your attention so you could swan dive onto the couch. But you read this blog post and really want to give it a try because you just aren’t feeling happy with your living space. Most excellent. This means you’re in the right headspace. It’s time to take action before doom scrolling takes over.

Now is the time to stand up and turn on your listen of choice. Next, decide on which household task you’re dreading the most and could deter you from even starting this 20 minute home reset at all. For me, a home organizer Columbus, it’s usually dishes. This is the task you want to start with because it will make everything else you have to do seem so easy in comparison. Also, finish a task all at once after you start it. If you take a break during a task it is going to be a lot harder to get back on the saddle and finish it, especially at this time of day. It’s time to power through! To help keep yourself on track try setting a timer for 20 minutes and race yourself to see if you can beat the clock. Ready? Let’s go!

Here are over 30 tasks to include in a 20 minute home reset:

This list is flexible! You can tailor your reset to your most-used spaces and rotate tasks to keep things fresh and manageable. Aka- you do not need to do these every night to maintain your home. Pick and choose what needs to be done in prioritized spaces depending on the day and what you might have coming up the next day.

Living Areas

1. Fluff and straighten throw pillows on the couch.
2. Fold and drape blankets neatly.
3. Put away magazines, books, or remote controls.
4. Collect stray items (toys, cups, etc.) and return them to their designated spots.
5. Dust coffee or end tables quickly with a microfiber cloth.

Kitchen

6. Load or unload the dishwasher.
7. Wipe down countertops and the kitchen sink.
8. Sweep crumbs off the floor.
9. Check and empty the trash or compost bin if needed.
10. Tidy up the pantry or fridge by consolidating loose items.

Bathroom

11. Wipe down the bathroom counter and sink.
12. Hang or replace fresh towels.
13. Restock toilet paper or refill soap dispensers.
14. Put away toiletries or cosmetics left out.
15. Give the mirror a quick wipe with glass cleaner.

Bedrooms

16. Fold and put away clothes lying around.
17. Straighten bed covers or fluff pillows.
18. Collect water glasses or mugs from nightstands.
19. Toss dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
20. Set out outfits or essentials for the next day.

Entryway/Mudroom

21. Organize shoes by placing them in a designated spot.
22. Hang up coats or bags left out.
23. Check for stray mail or clutter and sort it.
24. Shake out or sweep entryway rugs.
25. Return keys to their designated place.

General Tidying

26. Do a quick 5-minute toy pickup in high-use areas.
27. Collect loose change, pens, or odds-and-ends for a “catch-all” bin.
28. Plug in or charge electronic devices for the next day.
29. Adjust lighting or turn on a diffuser for a relaxing ambiance.
30. Walk through the house to quickly spot and address anything out of place.

Eco-Conscious Sustainability Tasks

31. Take stock of recyclables and place them in their bin.
32. Water any houseplants if needed.
33. Check if any appliances or lights were left on and turn them off.

Wrap-Up & Planning

34. Note tomorrow’s top priorities in a planner or on a sticky note.
35. Review the day’s mail and shred or file it as needed.
36. Take a moment to adjust your home’s temperature for overnight comfort.

Home Organizer Columbus 20 minute home reset wrap up

TIME!!!!

Okay, you did it! First of all, give yourself a nice pat on the back (or glass of wine?) and immediately turn on RHSLC. Your nightly reset is complete and your morning self will be soooo freaking happy to focus on eating and getting ready instead of a disaster house.

As a mom of two super young girls, I find myself completing a 20 minute tidy around twice a day. If not, my space just gets way too overwhelming for me. You’ll need to find the sweet spot for yourself. At what level of managed clutter do you want to keep your home at? It’s not always appropriate to need a completely tidy house every single day. So fine what works for you.

Now, in addition to a 20 minute nightly reset, it’s important to build in time for other things that need done around the house that aren’t regular tasks. For example, something that’s been on my honey-do list for a while now is hanging tension cables to display my toddler’s artwork. It’s a whole other ball game finding the time to complete that task since we aren’t able to build it into a nightly reset.

If you need to help space planning, getting organized, and finishing these larger/more random household tasks, I would love to help! Reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation. I can’t wait to connect!

Until then- happy tidying!