Many times it takes a small thing to turn into a big thing. It takes small wins to get to bigger wins. It takes one tiny step repeated and multiplied to get the results we are after. Creating the home and lifestyle we want takes small, sometimes unnoticeable, actions to get there.
Today, I’m going to lay out 5 minute tasks to take steps towards A Simpler Home. No rocket science, simply small actions you can take in 5 minutes or less that will make a difference in your home right now. The action itself is something, but my hope is it will snowball and give you the motivation and momentum to take more steps towards A Simpler Home and A Simpler Motherhood. Here are the 5 minute tasks:
5 Minute Tasks
Take away a throw pillow (or 3).
I was feeling overwhelmed with my living room a few weeks ago. Maybe because my four monkeys are constantly using the pillows and throw blankets for forts and garages for cars and blankets for their babies. I took two throw pillows off the couch and the space isn’t so loud to me now. If your living space is driving you nuts, try removing a throw pillow or three.
Take one thing off the kitchen counters.
This seems like it won’t help, but it is so worthwhile. The other day I took my milk frother off the counter and put it in the drawer right below the coffee maker. One less thing on my counters instantly made my kitchen feel less cluttered. Kitchen counter space is prime real estate. I literally use my milk frother 3-4 times a week for two minutes each. It doesn’t get used enough to live on top of the counters. What thing can you take off your kitchen counters to make it feel lighter and less cluttered?
Recycle the magazines.
Anyone else love Chip and Jo? Me too. I enjoy their Magnolia magazine so much. Awhile back I pulled out every season of Magnolia since 2017 I had hidden in a cupboard. I thought I would flip back through them, but I never have. I asked some friends if they could use them and one could. Win win. Magazines take up space and chances are you aren’t going to flip through them again. Ask some friends if they are interested and if not, recycle.
Clear a surface.
I’ve said it a million times. Surfaces matter. A clear surface verses a cluttered surface can change my mood. (And research proves it.) Take five minutes to clear a surface. Maybe your dining room table? Kitchen island? Coffee table? Choose one surface to clear and keep it that way. This is my favorite 5 minute task.
Contain in a basket.
Homes can many times seem cluttered because things don’t have a home. House loose items in a basket. Shoes can go in a basket or drawer at the door. Toys can go in a bin under a side table. Papers can go in a letter tray. Choose one thing that’s driving you nuts, put a basket or bin there and see what happens. (Here is one of my favorite baskets to give items a home.)
Put out of season items away.
At the beginning of July I noticed I still had spring coats hanging by the back door. I wondered why I got annoyed every time my eyes passed that corner. Putting those spring coats away made the corner feel lighter and made room for my basket of sunscreen and sun hats. Put out of season items away including shoes, jackets, clothes, and decorations. If this is a bigger project than five minutes, consider doing one category a day for five minutes each.
Go through the mail everyday.
Paper clutter is the worst. To keep it at bay I go through the mail every time it comes into the house. I deal with it then and there and don’t put it to the side to collect dust and possibly make it into the hands of my littles. I put Kevin’s mail in his drawer where I know he will see it and then deal with the things I need to and recycle the rest.
Put the dishes away and shine the sink.
My house always feels cleaner and simpler when the dishes are put away and my sink is clean. Take five minutes to put the dishes away, shine the sink, and enjoy less mess.
Clear the bedside table.
There is a good chance there are unnecessary things living on your bedside table. Take a few minutes to clear it off, put things where they belong and make it clear with a book, lamp, charger, alarm clock, and maybe something pretty. Don’t let unnecessary things live there.
Fold the laundry in the dryer.
Ugh. This is probably one of my least favorite home tasks. However, when I fold the laundry and put it away, I take that thing off my mental load. Otherwise, every time I walk past the laundry room I think about how I need to fold it. Anyone else?
Do a grocery sack walk through.
Grab a grocery sack, set a timer for five minutes and walk through your home. Throw anything in there that is garbage or clutter or you’ve been meaning to get rid of. At the end throw the garbage away and put the sack in a box to be donated.
All big things come from small beginnings.
James Clear
A small, 5 minute task is a step into the direction of A Simpler Home and A Simpler Motherhood. If nothing else, you will get a clean sink or a load of folded laundry out of it. Tell me: what 5 minute task will you tackle today?