We all have one of those super tidy friends whose homes look like no one lives there, and make you feel instantly inadequate the minute you step through the door. Yes?! If someone just popped to mind & you've always wondered how they do it - then this blog post is for you!
Before we get started, we are going to leave the shame & feelings of inadequacy here at the top of this scroll. There is no room for that here. That friend is tidy - yes, but you are about to learn HOW to make this happen in your own home, and it as nothing to do with your personal worth, skill, or value.
Good?! Great!
Let's jump in.
First up, they keep their inventory levels low & manageable.
With less stuff you can optimize your storage, keep the visual clutter at bay, keep your surfaces clear, and maintain that sense of tidiness day in and day out. Less stuff means less to store, organize, clean, dust, wash, fold, disseminate etc.
Finding the right level of inventory for your home can feel tricky, especially if you have kids, or a partner with conflicting views. But the best way to do this is to commit to a decluttering session, use these 4 questions to assess your existing stock, and make your stuff fit your space.
Everything should…
Have a home when not in use, and a clear and accessible place to be returned to.
Should be utilized frequently enough to earn its place in your home. Outside of keepsakes, I like to use 6 months as the absolute limit for usage.
Be functional aka not broken, ripped, chipped, or damaged.
Second, tidy homes likely have an established cadence for RESET.
This means these homes DO get lived in, they DO get messy - but they get reset on on a daily basis so the mess and clutter of the day doesn't carry over. Not only does this practice keep maintaining the home manageable, but it also helps…
Prevent lost or misplaced items.
Encourages active participation of all members of the family.
Prevent build up & task overwhelm - meaning it never gets to the point of feeling insurmountable, or a lost cause.
Keeps conflict at bay, because overstimulation from clutter is a big contributor to partner and parent/child squabbles.
Snag a copy of our Daily Reset Checklist here.
Third, they have established systems within their home that help them on their worst days.
Even your tidy friend gets tired, or sick, or busy, or heck, even lazy. And because they have systems established within their home their stuff is easily managed without a significant lift or effort on their part. In short, they put in the work upfront to add more ease to their daily routine.
They likely have…
An established entry way systems to make the coming & going easier.
A schedule or cadence for full cycle laundry.
A fuss free bathroom/vanity situation.
A place for all the paperwork, mail, change & keys so they don't end up on their surfaces.
Established toy storage solutions that everyone can follow. etc. etc. etc.
Fourth, they have a fundamental understanding that tidy = calm.
This may seem frivolous but just like any other guiding principle or value we hold within our family structure, embracing the impact our home has on our wellbeing is foundational to maintaining a tidy home. It isn't just about the aesthetics, it isn't about keeping up with the Jones', and it is totally unrelated to status or worth.
Rather, it's about creating a space where everyone in the family can relax, connect, unwind, be creative, be productive, and most importantly, rest. This cannot be done in a chaotic, cluttered, messy home.
Once everyone is bought into that family value, all the other behaviours & habits become easier to maintain & enforce.
Lastly, they have help.
There I said it. Very rarely can someone be everything, all the time. We aren't meant to do & be everything, either. So the reality is, your tidy friend likely has help.
Either regular hired help, like a cleaner. A one time/irregular service like us - that helped them established the foundation. Or, they have help with other life things (childcare, cooking, driving, dog walking etc.) so they can create & maintain the house you see.
& that is 100000% okay. I am ALL about asking for help, getting help in the areas that I am not strong, and creating a web of support so I can chase after the things that are most important to me.
& I want that for you too!
Book a FREE consult with me & and explore the help available to you (no more gatekeeping, tidy friend!).
Yours truly,
The Whistle Blower
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