Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you look around your home? Do you sometimes just want to cry when you see the piles of dishes in the sink, the clutter and bills on the desk, the ever growing to-do list on the fridge, the laundry mountain you have to practically highjump over to get to your closet?
And should we even mention ALL THE THINGS on the floor?
Yep. I’ve been there. Not there as in I’ve been peeking in your windows (don’t worry), but I’ve had a house that felt more chaotic than calm. In fact, my house still gets that way at times, so I know how every little pile and unfinished project and can add frustration and stress to the chaos of daily life at home.
But do we have to live that way?
The truth is, a full and meaningful life will always go hand in hand with at least a little mess. But, with that said, when daily clutter or chaos threatens to overwhelm and derail us, it’s time to take action so we can enjoy the life we really want to live.
We can’t fully live and give of ourselves when we are exhausted, overwhelmed, or discouraged by the state of our home. A messy and disorganized house can rob us of the peaceful oasis we long for in our home.
Do you fear a tidier home will consume too much time or would be impossible with kids under foot? Let me offer you some baby steps to home sanity through encouragement, hope, and an easy place to start. A more peaceful home is within your reach, starting today. I think you’ll be happier, less stressed and ready to tackle the day if your home feels more peaceful.
Here are five ways you can transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary:
1. Give thanks for the chaos makers.
See those socks on the floor, six inches from the laundry hamper? Thank God for the person who wears those socks as you pick them up for the seventh time this week or as you call in the culprit to put the socks in the hamper. See the dishes piled on the counter? As you wash each dish and place it back in the cupboard for the next meal, praise God for the food He provides and pray for people you love who eat off of those dishes every day. Messes are an opportunity to show gratitude for what you have and restore peace as you love and care for the people under your roof.
2. Create special clutter-free corners.
When your entire home looks like a tornado went through, pick one corner in a frequented room to be a clutter-free oasis. Remove what doesn’t belong, toss or repair anything that is broken, and donate what you don’t like. Dust everything off so it smells clean and fresh. Now every time you pass by the corner, take a deep breath and enjoy the peaceful view. That little area just might inspire you to create a few more clutter-free corners!
3. Establish calming daily rituals.
When household tasks feel like chores, every day is a drudgery. But I find that my attitude towards tidying my home changes when I have a few daily simple routines I actually look forward to each day. As I pull up the covers on my bed and set up our pillow shams, I consciously think about how I feel more prepared to maintain a peaceful and orderly ambience that day. Quiet time and prayer during my morning coffee starts my day off on the right calm and grateful note. Throwing in a load of laundry every morning keeps me from feeling overwhelmed by my to-do list before the day even begins. Wiping off the counters after a meal is a signal to me that my day is done and I am ready to spend time relaxing with my family or husband. Each little task during the day can be viewed as a dreaded chore stealing our time, or we can view it as an opportunity for more peace and joy in our home.
4. Declutter, declutter, declutter.
Clutter is stuff you don’t even need or like, or things you need that were put in the wrong spot. The more stuff you have sitting around that you don’t love or need on display, the more stressed you are going to feel in your home. Give yourself the gift of a peaceful home by getting ruthless about ridding your home of clutter and excessive stuff. Put things away so you can find them when you need them. Only have out what you love and enjoy seeing in your home!
5. Set the tone.
While disorder and clutter can add to the chaos, a sour attitude and grumpy disposition will definitely make everyone in the family feel on edge (even in an orderly home!) Bring more peace to your home by setting the tone for gentle words, gratitude, and loving actions.