“The first hour is the rudder of the day.” – Henry Ward Beecher
Let’s face it. Mornings can be tough. In many homes, they are famous for containing too much to do and too little time.
But mornings set the mood for the rest of our day. They have the potential to energize us or drain us. They have the opportunity to lift our spirits or drag us down. They can start us on the right foot or the wrong foot.
Given the fact that mornings are so important, it’s wise to spend a few minutes each night preparing your house for tomorrow’s sunrise. After all, a clutter-free house in the morning means less stress, less anxiety, and less time getting prepared for the day. And that benefits everyone in the home!
Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t need to spend hours each night cleaning the house to accomplish a clutter-free morning. Instead, simply stay ahead of the clutter by tackling these ten 60-second decluttering projects before you go to bed each night.
1. Return shoes/coats to closets. In the winter, add gloves, hats, and scarves to the routine.
2. Recycle junk mail and newspapers. A new day brings new mail and new news. Keep your table or counter space clutter-free in the morning by removing today’s.
3. Put away articles of clothing. Some go in the laundry. Some go back in the closet. But none should be left on the floor. It helps to have a minimalist wardrobe.
4. Store media out of sight. Put back all dvd’s, cd’s, video games, and remote controls that were used during the day. The first time you walk into that room tomorrow, you’ll be glad you did.
5. Process coins and receipts. I’m sure it was your husband who left the contents of his pockets on your dresser, but either way, it’ll take you only 60 seconds to put those items where they actually belong.
6. Clear all bathroom surfaces. The first place you’ll go in the morning is the bathroom. It’s also a surprisingly easy room to keep clutter free. Invest the 60 seconds every night to make it happen.
7. Clean-up homework. Get your kids into the habit of putting away their schoolwork each night before bed rather than scrambling around each morning to find it.
8. Put kitchen items away. Granted, I’m assuming you’ve done some cleaning up already after dinner. And if you have, it’ll only take you another 60 seconds to tidy up anything that got left out.
9. Put back toys. Realistically, life doesn’t allow a clean toy room every evening. But if you have a toy room apart from your living room, spend 60 seconds returning toys to the room where they belong. Or better yet, get your kids into the practice of doing it themselves.
10. File paperwork. Stay on top of paper and office clutter by handling it the day it arrives.
If you are not in the habit of doing these things, it’ll definitely take longer than 10 minutes the first time. But once you get a handle on each area, the entire project will take you less than 10 minutes… and your morning you will thank you!
Image: BeatPlusMelody
Tamara Owens says
Tabletops, countertops, and desktops are tops on my list! :)
I also like to delete my inbox leaving only what I need to take care of next day.
Pat says
Great list of tips…thank you for sharing!
Natalya says
Great tips…trying to stay on top of it.
Having less stuff makes it alot easier as well..
My problem is I procrastinate.
Celia says
I loved the tips. Two things we do at home that really help to have a nice and calm morning – I set the table for breakfast the night before including setting a coffemaker with timer (waking up to the smell of fresh coffee…hmmmm)….and prepare the clothes we are going to wear the next morning. Although we are progressing into a minimalist wardrobe, it still takes some time to chose the outift – so we do it the night before and hang everything in the bathroom. Get the shower, get dressed and then relax and enjoy a healthy breakfast with our family with no hurry! it is wonderful!
Bonni says
I laughed out loud at #5. You nailed it when you said it was probably the husband. There’s usually a broken golf tee in my husband’s mix.
The change finds its way to my wallet.
Brandy says
I love these tips. We’re on a journey towards minimalism, and since we started everything has gotten a lot easier. What used to take me 20 minutes to clean now takes me 5, and we are so much more stress free without the clutter!
Diana Auerhammer says
What a nice simple list. And what a difference it makes. I especially love getting up to a clean kitchen with very little sitting out. This is a good list for parents to implement as everyone gets ready to shift from summer to the hectic beginning of the school year.
ren says
NUMBER ONE CARDINAL RULE,,,,Gget coffee ready, We don’t have a timer on ours, but being able to get up, click pot on and start day…
Also really helps to have dishes loaded in dishwasher from night before, I hate having dirty dishes in sink , and NO, I’m not giving up my dishwasher unless every one else in house is willing to do dishes and not have to be told to do them.
PJ says
thanks for the tips. One comment though….
If you have a whole room in your house for toys – maybe you have too many toys.
Other than that awesome tips
Cathy Meyerhoeffer says
There is nothing wrong with having a toy room. We had a designated space for our three children’s toys while they were growing up. It was a bonus room over our garage. They were responsible for clean up/pick up and it taught responsibility. As they grew, it became their “hang out space” with friends. They knew they needed it in reasonably good shape if they wanted their friends to come over and watch movies, etc. Occassionally, i had them purge toys and items they no longer used. This room gave some “sanity” to our family room while providing good learning lessons.
Cathy Stumpf says
Q to get
Sarah says
I used to think that, but we gave up our office to be a play room for the kids last Christmas as their “big gift” and it’s SO NICE to be able to converse with adult guests without shushing the children while they play (and shout, sing, squeal, etc). We’ve actually further reduced the number of toys we have since then, but I still love having the separate spaces.
Sunshine says
We have a room for toys & books. It looks more like a library as you see bookshelves, rocking chairs, and a piano when you look in. Toys are neatly stored in bins (Ikea) along one wall. We do this instead of keeping toys in bedrooms since our children and friends all play with them together, and having specific storage for them limits how much we can have. We do have a closet shelf of board games, and treasured “lovies” live in the bedrooms. I feel like this room is a luxury, and I look forward to the day we downsize the books and toys are outgrown-except I don’t want them to grow up too fast! So I will wait. For now it is idea, but eventually we hope to live in a smaller home and won’t have the “play room”.
Ralf says
I grew up with these rules. they come from my dad. and now my boyfriend is repeating them every day. when I’m alone I rebel. ;-)