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Help me get organized at home


50 Ways to Make Your Home More Organized, More Attractive, and More Efficient

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he modern home is far bigger than the home of just 30 years ago – and far more cluttered! How can that happen? Basically, our demand for stuff is outstripping our ability to buy space – no wonder self-storage is one of the leading growth industries in the United States.

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Questions about runaway consumerism aside, what all this excess stuff means for most of us is more time spent maintaining our living spaces to keep some semblance of order in our lives. Most of us don’t want to spend our evenings and weekends – and more for work-at-home types – knee-deep in clutter, never sure where anything is, and constantly stepping over all those things that, for one reason or another, we just had to have.

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We fight a constant battle against clutter around Chez Dustin. Besides my partner and I, there are her three children, all under 13. Plus, her brother and his two kids have been staying with us while he sorts out some family matters, forcing our usual border-skirmishes against clutter to escalate into an all-out war.

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That’s why I asked you, our readers, to share some of your tips in one of the contests in the Great Big Summer Giveaway. I had a blast going through your tips, tricks, and advice for keeping the home organized, and today, I’m going to present the cream of the crop.

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General Household Tips

  1. Hide a cluttered bookshelf with a spring-loaded curtain rod and a set of curtains. (Liz)
  2. Use filing cabinets for a TV stand. (Doug)
  3. Use clear plastic shoeboxes to store knick-knacks and other odds and ends. (jenny)
  4. Organize your house by task so that the things most relevant to each job are where you’re most likely to use them. This might be obvious for things like laundry and crafts, but what about a mail station, homework area, or just storing linens in the laundry room? (gs49, Lorie)
  5. Figure out where things normally get dropped and set up an appropriate place for them as close as possible to that point. This will improve the chance that they’ll end up where they belong, and decrease the distance the things that don’t make it home have to go to be put back. (Paula)
  6. Label it! Labeling is not just for file folders – get a label-maker (or several) and keep it handy all around the house. Kitchen shelves, storage containers, bookshelves, coat racks — there are millions of places where a smart label can forestall endless amounts of clutter. My variation of jenny’s clear shoebox idea above (#3) is to use plastic pencil boxes for all manner of tiny stuff; they lock slightly to make tidy stacks on my shelves, and a lovely label on the front keeps everything instantly accessible. (Tassia)
  7. Designate a “launchpad”. This is an area in your house, preferably near the door, where coats, jackets, shoes, backpacks, purses, keys, and everything else you need to find easily next time you leave the house stays. Think of it a transition-zone between outside and inside — almost like an airlock. (Kate, Christian247, jason, Luke L., Sandy)
  8. Set up a “bucket” at your “launchpad (a milk crate, basket, or an actual bucket) for each person “. (Laura Warner)
  9. Use a 4-tier “Stadium Rack” for spices, allowing you to always see everything easily without taking up much space. (Jeff)
  10. Set up “clutter bags” in every room. Keep a reusable shopping bag — there are plenty of attractive ones available for super-cheap these days — in every room; when stuff from elsewhere around the house starts building up, throw it into the clutter bag until you can sort it out. (Allan)
  11. Store trashbags inside the trash can, under the current liner. That way, you (or whoever takes the trash out) have a fresh bag handy every single time. (Robert)
  12. Set up a shared online calendar between you and your partner, and allow access to your close family, child-care providers, and anyone else who might need to know where you are at any given moment — or what events are coming up that they might need to plan for. (David)
  13. Use behind-the-door shoe holders for storage of tiny or awkward stuff. The cloth kind have 20 or so pockets that are ideal for craft supplies, cleaning products, tools, and office materials. (Aaron, Shari)
  14. Take care of dishes immediately after meals. (Brenden)
  15. Run the dishwasher frequently. Large households often never get to that mythical state where the clean dishes are put away, the dirty ones are in the dishwasher, and nothing is stacked up in the sink. Modern dishwashers are designed to detect the size of the load, so there’s no reason to wait until the washer is full to run your dishes. (michael kastler; Note from Dustin: I wonder about the electricity needs of this, though!)
  16. Take pictures of sentimental objects before giving them away or throwing them out. Like that T-shirt from that concert you want to when you were 20 years younger, 3 sizes smaller, and quite a bit more stoned. You know you won’t ever wear it again, but hold onto it because of the memories. (michael kastler)
  17. Set up a library/rental box. Store your library books and rented videos in a box in your living room or other place near where you’ll use them, and keep your library cards and video rental cards there as well. That way, you’ll always be reminded if anything’s due when you go to collect your rental cards. (Paul)
  18. Color-code your family. Assign a color to everyone in the house, and buy everything for them in that color: towels, toothbrushes, cups, water bottles, lunch boxes, slippers, whatever. (OngoingDebacle)
  19. Keep your “go bag” in the car. For example, all the stuff for family outings (aside from food) can be stored in the truck, freeing up space in the house and keeping it with you for spontaneous fun time. (Linda F.)
  20. Use an accordion organizer to sort kids’ project paper. Sort by color and/or type of paper. (Kam A.)
  21. Use bed risers to increase the space under your bed. (Carolyn)
  22. Use drawers, not counters, for storing bathroom stuff. (Luke) Or keep all your toiletries in one box or basket on the counter — easy to move for cleaning the counter. (spn)
  23. Use a corkboard and pushpins to hang jewelry. Keeps everything visible but out of the way. (Angelina)
  24. Use a travel jewelry organizer that goes over a hangar. Also keeps jewelry visible and out of the way — and thieves aren’t likely to look for your jewelry among your hung clothes. (Amy)
  25. Keep a basket by the stairs and add out-of-place items to it. When the basket’s full, take it upstairs and put everything away.(Elizabeth M.)
  26. Fill a box with stuff you’re unsure of and pack it for a year. Make sure you put the date on teh outside. If you don’t use anything in the box for an antire year, you don’t need it and can get rid of it. (April)
  27. Put a whiteboard in your garage where you’ll see it when you come home and when you get ready to leave. Put todo lists, reminders, and otehr important information on it. (Sam Klein)
  28. Find creative uses for containers. For example, ice cube trays are great for storing all sorts of tiny objects — any they stack easily. (Groovymarlin)
  29. Keep a rack by the door for keys. But make sure they’re not visible from the front door/window. (Shelle, TechieBird)
  30. Pull bookshelves out slightly to hide cords for gadgets in the back. (Layne)

Bills and Business

  1. Set up a scanner and a shredder next to each other. Incoming mail goes into the scanner and then –unless you need it for your records — straight into the shredder. (Kenneth)
  2. Sort mail as it comes in. Trash it, file it, respond to it, or take action on it — don’t let it build up. (David Wright, KathyHowe)
  3. Go paperless. Scan all your important paperwork and store it on your computer. File only the papers you absolutely need hard copies of. (James, Luke L., Angela M.)
  4. Set up your bills to be due all on the same day. Most utilities will let you shift your payment date, though you will usually have to make up a month-plus the first time after the change. (Bashar)
  5. Use chip clips to hold related papers together. (steve flattem)
  6. Put all your work work on your desk and “do as you clean”. When you’re done, the desk is clean — a great motivator for people who like a clean desk. (Meryl K. Evans)
  7. Auto-pay everything. (Luke L.)
  8. Scan business cards as you get them. (Luciano)
  9. Make a nice box for receipts and put new receipts in it every night when you get home. Sort your receipts on a regular basis, or this will overflow and become yet another source of clutter. (Jason)
  10. Convert a closet into an office. With a little creativity, even a tiny closet can be transformed into a functional space — and when you’re done, close the door to hide the mess. (Jeremy)

Habits and Attitudes

  1. Learn to travel light. That way, a) you don’t have as much to carry, and b) you don’t have as big a bag to store in your house when you’re not traveling. (Steve Moyer)
  2. Close the circle. This takes a little discipline — ok, a lot of discipline — but if you can build the habit of always seeing every act through to its logical end every time, it will prevent a lot of clutter. In practical terms, this means that every time you use something, you follow through until that thing is back where it started from: eat a bowl of cereal, wash the bowl, dry it, and put it back on the shelf. Our lives tend to be built up out of a lot of little “incompletions” that lead to clutter; if you can break that habit and see see things all the way through, you’ll find a lot more improves than just your clutter situation. (Nuruddeen Lewis)
  3. Clean one room or area a day. This is less daunting than cleaning the whole house, and gives you a clear goal, instead of the “one-more-thing” syndrome that strikes when you get a mind to “do some cleaning”. (Katherine, Carolyn Wilman)
  4. Find the clutter “focal point” of each room and keep it clean. In the bedroom, make the bed and keep it clear; in the kitchen, don’t store anything in the sink. If these focal points are clean, the room will seem less cluttered. (Chris)
  5. Give it away. Make a habit of taking regular trips to the Goodwill or other donation center to give away excess stuff, and make sure that when that day comes, you’ve got a full load of stuff to get rid of. (mel)
  6. One in, one out. Make a habit of throwing out, selling, or giving away something for every new thing you bring into the house. For example, when you buy a new pair of shoes, get rid of your least favorite.  Variation: One in, TWO Out! (Bon Temps, Charlie)
  7. Use “deep storage” wisely. Pack up things that you’re not going to use and store them — don’t keep stuff out when you are unlikely to ever need it. (ProductivityScience)
  8. Don’t shop “recreationally”. Go shopping for the things you need, not to kill time or “just to look”. Avoid succumbing to temptation by avoiding temptation itself! (Tracy)
  9. Never put anything on top of anything smaller than it is. For example, never put a newspaper on top of a small book or your keys. You’ll lose less stuff that way. (Cindy)
  10. Don’t make piles. Ever. (Sue)

How to Get Organized — 100+ Best Organizing Tips

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Whether you're always looking for new ways to reorganize your space, or living that "less is more" motto, it's never a bad time to tackle the clutter in your life and organize your home. It should work for you and not against you. But, the challenge remains: how to get organized? Thankfully, Woman's Day checked in with some certified National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals members to uncover and highlight the best organizing tips for tidying up even the peskiest of spaces.

Beyond the "how," organizing can also give you a sense of peace. "Organization, to me, is one of the most calming and stress-free therapeutic vitamins that you could ever take," Wendy Silberstein, a professional organizer who's also known as the Aesthetic Organizer, tells Woman's Day. "Organization dictates what your daily life will be like; it brings families together; it brings marriages together; and it makes daily life so much simpler."

Professional organizer at STR8N UP, Jennifer Truesdale, tell's Woman's Day that finding ways to stay organized can help people avoid "decision fatigue," which is a state of mental exhaustion that comes after making a million tiny decisions all day. "If we can eliminate any clutter or chaos with organized systems and simplify our routines with more order, then we can eliminate many of those subconscious decisions that tax our brain throughout the day, allowing us more time for maximizing our daily productivity," she says.

Of course, it may feel overwhelming to organize your entire home, so it's important to take it one step at a time. Our experts provide some easy tips to get you going.

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Be honest with yourself.

One of the first things you need to do to keep your home orderly is to get rid of what you don't need. It's common to contain stuff you never use because you either forgot you had certain things or you've developed emotional attachments to items.

Be honest with yourself. Let go of what you don't use or won't miss.

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Create an on-the-go kit with sample products.

If you’ve collected a lot of small sampler products, corral them together in a clear zippered pouch that you can either grab and go the next time you travel or that you can keep in a drawer under the sink to try out the next time you want to change your skincare routine, professional organizer Wendy Silberstein advises.

SHOP CLEAR POUCHES

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Learn to fold.

It sounds silly, but a bad fold job can easily make your home look unkempt.

If you don't have folding skills, use a folding tool.

Related: This File Folding Hack Will Revamp Your Dresser

SHOP FOLDING TOOLS

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Consider a lazy Susan for spices.

If you’re a whiz in the kitchen, Silberstein advises keeping the things you use most often close at hand. She recommends putting your spices on a lazy Susan either on the counter or in a cabinet next to your oils and vinegars, somewhere by the stove so they’re easy to reach when you need them.

SHOP LAZY SUSANS

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Attach a mesh bag to your hamper for socks.

It’s no secret that socks always seem to get lost. Keep them with their pair by putting them in a mesh bag attached to your hamper and then throwing the whole thing in the wash. “If everyone has their own sock bag, you will be able to match into pairs and put them away with ease,” professional organizer Jennifer Truesdale says.

SHOP MESH BAGS

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Buy things in categories.

Instead of buying bowls, pots and pans, food containers, and other grouped-together items at different times, get them together or as a set.

Why? Because they're more likely to easily nest together or fit within each other, making them easy to store.

SHOP NESTING BOWLS

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Contain everything.

If everything has a place, your home will look neat. Make sure items that can be contained are in a specified container. This will also help you remember where you put things. It's a no-brainer.

SHOP UTENSIL CONTAINERS

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Label, label, label.

“You want your kids to be independent and understand where things are,” Silberstein says on the importance of labeling when you live with others. A simple set of labels for where major items go will help ensure that people can find them and put them back where they belong.

SHOP LABEL MAKERS

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Sort your fridge like a grocery store.

Just as grocery stores have a designated place for different types of items — meats, dairy, snacks, etc. — so too should your fridge. Silberstein advises using clear bins in your fridge to keep everything in its designated place, and stacking the bins to take advantage of the height available on most refrigerator shelves.

SHOP REFRIGERATOR ORGANIZING BINS

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Get rid of old tech.

Unless you are trying to have an old-phone museum or a graveyard of old computers, it's time to get rid of old tech.

Consider selling your items on eBay or disposing of them the proper way by doing a quick Google search on how or where to recycle, depending on the item.

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Store kids' toys in over-the-door organizers.

“Pockets are your friends,” says Truesdale. “Use over the door shoe bags with pockets for corralling all types of items when you need extra hidden yet accessible storage.”

SHOP OVER-THE-DOOR ORGANIZERS

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Pick your favorite cleaning products.

“Don’t have 100 products,” Silberstein says. “Most people think they have no space under their sink, but they just have so many products they don’t need.” She suggests picking your favorite multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, and bathroom cleaner, and storing those with a few sponges and rags in a bin under the sink.

SHOP ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS

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Use a basket for constant clutter.

If you have a partner or little one who’s constantly cluttering up the same space, have a dedicated basket in that space to keep things tidy. “Items can be put in the basket and easily carried to their room to be put away later,” Truesdale says.

SHOP STORAGE BASKETS

Erika Lapresto

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Tame cords with a picture ledge.

Uncross wires and gain back precious workspace by turning a simple picture ledge into a charging dock. Use a drill fitted with a 3/4" bit to make holes in the bottom of the shelf, then hang it on the wall above your desk. Thread your charging cords through the holes so you can plug in devices quickly.

SHOP FLOATING SHELVES

Erika Lapresto

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Use the walls.

Hang canvas bins from sturdy hooks, either in a row or grid pattern, to free up space on the floor. You can use them to corral board games, books, magazines, and other items inside. Select a style with a soft color or patterns, and these catchalls become wall decor, too.

SHOP WOVEN BASKETS

Erika Lapresto

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Create an organization station in a kitchen cabinet.

Turn the inside of a cabinet door into an undercover organization station that stores important info like the WiFi password, memos, and coupons. Create your own memo board by trimming chalkboard vinyl to size and positioning at eye level.

SHOP CHALKBOARD VINYL

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Put everything in its place.

Assign specific living quarters to everything you own, and enlist baskets, trays, crates, and hooks to help. If it doesn't have a home, it doesn't stay in the house.

SHOP TRAYS FOR ORGANIZATION

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Set up an outbox.

Create a designated spot for outgoing items (packages, store returns, and more) to prevent them from crowding the tabletop and floor.

SHOP CONSOLE TABLES

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Think about your daily routine.

Put things where they work for you: vitamins by the juice glasses, coats in the garage, and key hooks by the door.

SHOP COAT HOOKS

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Create a coffee station.

A mug over here, a coffee maker there, some K-cups elsewhere... A designated coffee station can make a difference in your mornings and in the overall vibe of your space.

SHOP COFFEE STATIONS

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Color code.

Grouping things in color can help you live in many ways. Not only will you know where everything is, this organizing method will also make things look beautiful.

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Keep a tray on your coffee table.

A small, open tray on the coffee table keeps remote controls from slipping between sofa cushions, says professional organizer Kathy Waddill, author of The Organizing Sourcebook: Nine Strategies for Simplifying Your Life.

SHOP SERVING TRAYS

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Get rid of CD and DVD cases.

If you still have these, say goodbye to CD stands and move all your discs to a storage wallet. Better yet, import songs into your iTunes library or add them to your Spotify playlist. Moving forward, commit to going digital only.

You can also convert home videos and more with a service like imemories.com.

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Put a trash can in every room.

Keep a wastebasket in every room of your house so there's always a place to toss trash, suggests Waddill.

SHOP TRASH CANS

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Stick to a cleaning routine.

To stay on track (and make cleaning feel less overwhelming), jot your routine down on index cards — organized by daily, weekly, and monthly to-dos — and post them on a bulletin board, says Debbie Williams, founder of organizedtimes.com.

SHOP CORK BOARDS

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Throw out disposable containers right away.

When you unload your groceries, instead of keeping them in the containers they came in, just throw them right into your refrigerator drawer or matching storage bins.

It'll keep your fridge looking beautiful, while also streamlining your produce storage.

SHOP FOOD STORAGE BINS

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Get rid of things you never wear.

Whenever you run across anything stained, ripped, the wrong size, or never worn, immediately toss it in the trash or a charity box.

SHOP ZIPLOC BIG BAGS FOR CLOTHES

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Don't neglect your garage.

That garage you don't care for? It's a haven of storage that will keep the main parts of your home clutter-free. Put some thought into how you lay out "rough storage" in your garage so you can maximize the space.

Related: 28 Genius Garage Organization and Storage Ideas

SHOP ROUGH STORAGE BINS

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Organize cleaning supplies in a caddy.

Use a plastic caddy, not valuable shelf space, to store cleaning supplies. Keep it on the broom closet floor (locked, if you have small children) and tote it from room to room.

SHOP PLASTIC CADDIES

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Keep clean sheets near the bed.

Store sheet sets in the same room as the bed, between the mattress and box spring, or tucked into an under-the-bed box.

SHOP UNDER-BED STORAGE

Innovative cleaning method - INMYROOM

Do you view your home only through the prism of functionality? Divide it into a series of rooms where you eat, sleep, wash, work, communicate with household members? Think broader: the house is the center of your unique life, which requires order in all areas. We read a new book about cleaning to learn how to start living more consciously and stop cluttering the environment. We share our impressions with you.

The book “Breathe Freely” was published in Russian by the publishing house “Mann, Ivanov and Ferber” in 2015. Its authors - Lauren Rosenfield and Melva Green - wrote it for those who want to get rid of the clutter in their home and soul. Dr. Melva Green is a registered psychiatrist who combines scientific knowledge with the power of intuition. Lauren Rosenfield is the mother of four restless teenagers and a master of spiritual cleansing.

1. Start cleaning in the entryway

The entryway is the first place you enter when you come home. Therefore, restoring order should begin with it. Enter your home as if you were a first-time visitor. What immediately catches your eye? What things seem redundant? Remove them without hesitation - give them to someone or throw them away.

Fill your entryway with just the right things and nice accessories. Put a vase with fresh flowers on a chest of drawers, hang a cheerful picture and a poster. Keep everything in its place, and throw out flyers, checks and other garbage before you get home.

"Before you start getting rid of stuff, it's important to remember that the process of getting rid of stuff requires patience, pliability, and sensitive introspection.

"

2. Create an atmosphere of relaxation in the living room

The living room is a place for the whole family to gather: here we share the day's events, impressions, spend time with children and receive guests. Someone has a whole room allocated for these purposes, for someone it also serves as a bedroom. One thing unites them - the mess prevents you from completely relaxing and relaxing.

Take a picture of the interior of your living room, look at the photo and think about what is bothering you. Perhaps a pile of unnecessary magazines has accumulated in the corner, flyers lie between the books, and clothes hang on the back of the chair - remove unnecessary things. Do the manipulations several times and the only thing left for you is to invite guests here.

"Physical rubbish is just an expression of the emotional disorder we carry within us."

3. Set up a place for home dinners

The dining room is more than a room where people just eat: here people communicate and exchange news. It doesn’t matter if you can allocate a full-fledged room for it or have dinner at a small table in the kitchen - there should be order in this area. Often in the dining room they work at a computer, do their homework - they use it as a full-fledged workplace. Therefore, meals become more like a quick snack in the company of a laptop or TV.

As you clean this area, write down a list of things you do here: school lessons, office work, needlework. Allocate a box for each activity: put extra things in them and put them out of sight - let nothing distract you while eating.

“You will have to look at rooms not just as a place for furniture, but as an outward manifestation of emotional and spiritual life. For each room, choose at least three symbol words that describe the atmosphere you want to create there.

4. Free the kitchen from unnecessary things

The kitchen is often called the heart of the house - it is here that the hostess prepares food for the family, guests first come here for a cup of tea. In addition to groceries, it stores dishes, cooking utensils, cookbooks and more. But are they all in their places, do you use at least half of the things?

Get rid of pieces of furniture that prevent you from moving freely around the kitchen and making the most of the space. Grab your favorite cookbook and plan your dream dinner. Pull out all the tools you need to prepare such a dinner: pots, pans, bowls. Repeat the manipulations with different menu options: everything that is left aside - feel free to throw it away. And, of course, do not wait for a special moment - cook your dream dinner now!

"Getting rid of rubbish - giving up unnecessary things in order to get in return the space, time and positive emotions that you lack."

5. Teach your child to clean by example

While the child is still small, you are responsible for the order in the nursery. But the kids grow and change, the nursery transforms with them - it is filled with toys, personal items and hobby attributes. Remember that children do not see the disorder - for them it is a natural result of development and self-knowledge.

The best way to teach a child to put things in order is not to ask him, but to show how this is done by your own example. Give him one small task at a time: sort out one drawer, throw out old clothes, put away toys. And of course, do not forget about promotions.

"The goal is to enjoy the process and feel the joy of the work done."

6. Get rid of distractions in the office

Some people like to work in open common areas: at the dining table, at the coffee table by the sofa, in the bedroom; others choose a secluded spot next to a window. Both of them are similar in one thing - the workspace easily turns into a real pile of rubbish.

Psychologists say that this is connected with a feeling of anxiety and fear of responsible work. To clean up your office, first sort the things that you are indifferent to, then those that cause fear or stupor. As a result, you will not only clean up the space, but also understand what type of activity to pay special attention to.

“Always start by identifying a purpose for the room or area you have chosen to clean up. You have to look for things that are inappropriate for the purpose: they will go into the box.

7. Make room for relaxation in the bedroom

The bedroom is a personal space in which we are especially vulnerable. The bedroom is a place of love, rest and recovery, and any clutter will get in the way of complete relaxation. Take a close look at the room, pay attention to which of the things cause pleasant emotions, and what you would like to replace. If you need to, feel free to toss out extra accessories and highlight what you like.

“We are big fans of before and after shots. It's nice to see where you've been before to realize how far you've come."

8. Take time to keep your bathroom clean

The bathroom is where every morning begins and every evening ends. It is here that we can be alone with ourselves, smile at the reflection and tune in to a new day. It is difficult to do this among unwashed linen, chaotic shampoo bottles and a dirty sink.

Get rid of all the things that spoil your start to the day and cause discomfort. Sort the bottles and jars - are you sure you need them all? Feel free to throw away those that are already covered with dust - love yourself.

“The idea of ​​three gates is good to use when cleaning the house. We suggest the following control questions: Does this item meet my goals? do I use this item? Is this thing good for my soul?

Opinion InMyRoom

If you have never traced the connection between your emotional state and order in the house, then this book can be a real discovery for you. It does not contain practical advice on how to wash a stain or hang up blouses, but you will get acquainted with popular exercises for introspection and self-acceptance. In fact, doing them is often more effective than daily dusting.

Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Life

Allie Casazza, Declutter

Like a Mother: A Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Your Life

Originally published in 2021 by Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Reprinted with permission from Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Inc., Inc. and literary agency Nova Littera SIA.

© Allie Casazza, text

© Krasnyanskaya V., translated

© AST Publishing House

About the Author

Ellie Casazza set out to destroy the stereotype of the sloppy mommy wrapped up by making women stronger. She follows this path, bringing to hundreds of thousands of followers her well-established, family-oriented approach to minimalism. Ellie is also the host of The Purpose Show, a top-rated podcast, and the creator of many million-dollar online courses. Her platform continues to grow every day as women continually discover Ellie's life-changing approach to a more fulfilling existence. Ellie lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband Brian. The couple have four homeschooled children.

Reviews

“If you're a busy mother and you need a powerful, guilt-free push to live life without fuss, then you need this book. We all need to get rid of the chaos that prevents us from feeling true freedom and joy. Ellie did it, and her passion to see you gain that same freedom is felt on every page of the book.”

Joshua Becker,
founder of Becoming Minimalist

“Whether you have many children or are just starting out in your own home, this book will help you. Ellie is a great teacher, and she acts like a best friend, making everything easier and more understandable, relaxed and completely doable. This book is a gift for busy women who rush, hustle and go out of their way to live up to expectations and carry loads they shouldn't have lifted. "

Jordan Lee Dooley,
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Own Today

home. In her excellent book, Ellie shows readers how to create space in their lives for the things that mean the most to them, the things that bring them special joy and help them achieve their best results. I teach people how to manage their minds, and Ellie teaches you how to manage your life, which is no less important. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to improve their lifestyle and health!”

Dr. Caroline Leaf,
neuroscientist, mental health and brain specialist, and best-selling author of Turn On Your Brain and Clear Your Mind
and said: “Well said!” I deeply felt Ellie's words because I was her. I still remain like this, and I need to be saved! I love Ellie's actionable advice and her fun and lively style. This book has helped and is helping a lot of people, myself included. Now, wait, I'll be right back just cleaning the bathroom cabinets!"

Susie Holman,
founder of The Susie School

“Do you want to live a fuller life and preserve your physical and mental strength for what really matters? Then "Like a Mom" ​​is for you! It will radically change your home and the life of your family. Ellie's sincerity captivates and inspires you to show who you really are. Ellie's work has been infinitely useful to me and has shown that it has a special meaning in this life. I really hope it will be the same for you."

Angie Lee,
host of The Angie Lee Show podcast

“Ellie Casazza has written a book that every mother should read. If you've ever felt like you weren't good enough or spent your days striving for perfection, Like a Mom is the book you've been looking for. This is an invitation to gracefully and organically get rid of the garbage and noise in life. This is a call to action – stop filling your days (and homes) with “things” and become the mother you aspire to be.”

Tanya Dalton,
bestselling author of The Joy of Missed Opportunities, founder of The Intentional CEO

“Ellie is just the thing. She is honest, encouraging and gives practical advice on how every woman can declutter her home and her life. If you're looking for a new friend who can give you a "magic pendel" at ease, "Like a Mom" ​​is the perfect book for you!"

Eli Worthington,
best-selling author, business coach and entrepreneur

“Have fun and enjoy every word in this book! It is life-giving not only for mothers, but also for everyone else. Ellie shares her journey while giving you the tools you need to clear every corner of your life. What I like most about the book is that it is not about things, but about how things affect our mental health. I like Ellie's realism. Not only is it refreshing, it's essential in today's world.

Cathy Heller,
host of the Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast

“Warning: Your life will change after reading this book! After Ellie entered my life, my inner and outer world took a quantum leap. She is delightfully witty, passionate, inspiring and a breath of fresh air for all moms (new and experienced) who are looking for freedom, confidence and an easy path to a brighter, less cluttered and more meaningful life. This book is a real beacon in the night for those who seek to find a caring friend who understands everything, able to pull out of the pit and bring our wildest dreams to life. Like a Mom is a life-changing book and I can't imagine anyone other than the incomparable Ellie Casazza could have written it."

Jill Stanton,
Millionaire Girls Club founder and co-founder of Screw the Nine to Five

“Ellie is the friend and mentor every woman needs! She is unmatched in debunking myths about the dullness and monotony of clutter removal, in return for which she will offer you real practical steps. Ellie will guide you through the decluttering by the hand and, unlike most books that only deal with the surface level and focus solely on trash cans, will bring up important issues that inevitably pop up, such as relationships, emotions, boundaries, support mode and more. “Like a Mom” will make your life easier, cheer you up, so that you can become the best version of yourself. I can't recommend this book!"

Robin Long,
founder and CEO of The Balanced Life

“I feel important and that my feelings matter. Ellie's story gives permission to feel tired not only for a modern mother, but for all future generations. “Like a Mom” is not only about things, the book is indispensable for those who want to feel lighter.”

Heather Chauvin,
by Dying to Be a Good Mother

Dedication

I want to dedicate this book to myself from the past.

This tired, constantly struggling version of me constantly made great efforts to get things done and be a good mother, not realizing that everything could be much easier, and she was already good enough, the way she is .

This woman is not only me, but also my mother, who has told me many times that she would like someone to say these words to her when she was raising her children.

She is every woman who is stuck in problems, overwhelmed and wants to have more time for what really matters.

That version of me tried so hard that every day I pushed myself to the point of exhaustion and never came close to success. She deserves an award for this book and for these words. She was stronger than she thought. She was doing her best, and she should have known about it.

The same can be said about you.

Ellie Casazza

Foreword


I felt defeated. Again

I was sitting on the couch next to a giant pile of laundry and it was absolutely clear which of us had won again. Another day came and went, and I struggled to keep up with my duties. Was I the only mother in the world who feels like she can't get over it all? Days flew past me. I had three children under three years old, and although the oldest was still so young, I already felt that I was missing most of their childhood. I was always busy cleaning, cleaning and putting things in order, I was constantly running somewhere, trying to solve some problems.

In the evening, exhausted, I fell into bed, the events of the past day flashed before my eyes: I saw piles of dishes, endless mountains of laundry, toys, books, markers, jackets, shoes, empty water bottles, drawings that I urgently need had to hang… So many things.

I thought I should enjoy my time with my children, but I felt like I wasn't really spending enough time with them to enjoy it. I felt that I had to be in motion all the time, otherwise the whole house and the whole day would be mired in complete chaos. When I stopped to stay with the kids, it felt like I would have to pay for it later: by postponing household chores and making time to play, I stopped cleaning to keep my life in order.

Not that I was a purist, but I wasn't a hoarder either. All this work was done only in order to maintain the house in a sane condition. It seemed that in my motherhood I was like a schoolgirl, sitting on textbooks all night and still getting Cs in exams.

It seemed to me that I had a terrible, shameful secret that I could not tell anyone about. It was that in the morning I wake up already so exhausted that I can not cope with the day, which has not yet begun. I felt completely exhausted, depressed and completely miserable. and is such a guilty .

For a very long time I kept this secret, pretending that I was doing well, meeting other mothers in playgrounds and parks, talking to beautiful-looking friends, going to church. Wherever I went, I put on a mask to hide my secret. I needed to share it. I needed to talk to someone. I needed to see someone experience their motherhood in the same way.

Maybe it was normal. Maybe everyone was pretending. Maybe there was some way to make it better.

I mentioned that I felt tired and unhappy in conversations with several women whom I respected and who were further along the path of motherhood than I was. Although the words in their answers were different, of course, they said the same thing: “Well, yes, this is motherhood! This is real madness! And you still wait until they grow up! In some ways it will become even more difficult. But don't worry, you can handle everything."

The hopelessness I felt listening to these phrases was simply deafening.

Then… then is that all?

Is this how it should be?

Will it get. .. even worse?

I felt a huge weight on my shoulders.

It seemed that all the mothers in the world decided that everything around was bad and there was no way to get out of this swamp. They said: “Well, yes, this is motherhood!” They didn't offer any help or support, just had to fight and empty themselves, but don't forget to seize the moment because "everything goes by so fast"!

I thought about the words I'd heard in church since childhood: “A thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Gospel of John 10:10).

To have in abundance. If God is good and wants us to experience life in abundance, full of joy and pleasure, why can't this be the life of a mother?

No chance. You can't get away from this. And maybe that's why I didn't like it.

So what then? Where to find the answer? What changes must take place in order for this life to stop and for me to enjoy every day to the fullest?

One day, when I was considering "advice" from a woman I spoke to, I had a particularly difficult time with children. Relapse after relapse, there were dirty diapers everywhere, piles of rubbish and puddles. I felt like I couldn't take it. All this seemed to bubble up in me.

I quickly turned on the TV for the children, put the baby in the cradle and ran upstairs to be alone. I was already sobbing when I slammed the bathroom door and slid down the wall, falling to the cold floor and feeling completely hopeless: “Lord, where are you? What am I doing here? I want to get out of here! I don't want to be a mom anymore! Just not like that! Help me! Please do something and help me!"

I don't like to say that I had an epiphany because I feel like everyone says that. But what was, was. It was as if I left my body and was able to see from the side of myself, my life, my children, how I spend my days. And it just broke my heart.

And then a thought appeared in my head: “What exactly do you spend all your time on?”

I am constantly picking up something. I support my life. Serving… things.

Things we don't even need!

Boom! That's the whole point.

It was around. So. A lot of. Of things.

I suddenly understood clearly what to do. It was kind of crazy, and I wasn't sure the plan would work, but I was desperate, so it was worth a try. I cooked dinner, put the kids to bed early, and went to the playroom, the one that had become the bane of my existence.

There were many colorful baskets in the room, each containing a variety of toys. Toys lay on the floor, in drawers, in boxes, everywhere. I sent the children out to play, they spent no more than five minutes in the room, and then returned, complaining of boredom. The room didn't make any sense and I knew I had had enough.

I started to clean up, putting toys in three piles: leave, throw away, give . I got rid of every single toy that I felt was not good for children. If I have to constantly keep order, then at least I will do it with things that are of value, with things that my family needs.

When I finished decluttering the room, only the toys my children used for useful and imaginative play remained: trains and trucks, a couple of fancy dresses, books and blocks. The trunk of the car was full of donated toys, and our playroom looked clean and spacious. I immediately felt better.

The next morning after breakfast I sat on the couch with the baby and sent the two and three year olds to the playroom. I wondered if there would be torrents of tears for what I had done. They came in, and I heard a three-year-old scream, “Wow, how clean it is!” And they happily began to play.

I was shocked. Relaxing on the couch, I enjoyed the first cup of hot coffee in two years.

To my surprise, the children played in the room for three hours. Three hours! In case you didn't know, three hours of continuous play between two toddlers is incredible, especially if their previous record was two seconds. From that day on, they constantly wanted to spend time in the playroom.

I didn't know this at the time, but children actually develop when they are placed in a situation where they are not overwhelmed with options. My children were overstimulated by a huge amount of toys, and this caused a constant feeling of anxiety in both them and me. A tense atmosphere settled in our house. As the clutter disappeared from the room and the space became organized, the children began to play and interact with each other more and longer. They came up with scenarios and stories and acted them out.

Fewer options allow for outdoor play as well. I've always wanted children to play more outdoors and know what it's like to make sand pies, look for anthills, collect leaves, sticks and stones, and have picnics on the grass. One special day, I was sitting in the California sun, watching them play, and thinking, "Why don't we do this more often?"

It seemed to me that I released the gift of imagination given to them by the Lord and gave them the joy of childhood. And all this thanks to the fact that she removed the mountains of toys.

Seeing what the clutter did for the kids, I started clearing out other areas of the house—bathroom, kitchen, closets, and closets—and our entire home began to change. Now less than half of my time was spent in order, and I could have fun playing with the children. I also had the courage to do homeschooling. (What? I didn't even know that was possible!) Our marriage improved because I was happier. The depression was gone without a trace, and I felt that now my days are much more like the life I wanted to lead.

Our things were no longer at war with me, because I threw away everything unnecessary. It no longer stood in my way. Life became easier, more meaningful, and I did not have to wade through it. It was that life in abundance, I could feel it.

Today, years later, we have our fourth child, we've traveled a lot, and I'm running a business doing what I love: helping other women simplify their lives both at home and outside. Homework is just a side note in my life. It's something that I give a little bit of attention to every day, to do something for the family and not get in the way of the routine, and it doesn't take up the lion's share of time. Children's imaginations still flourish without being overstimulated by too many toys, and they get along much better than before. I feel like I'm giving them a wonderful childhood and I love it.

So why does decluttering give you so much freedom? What connection did extra things have with depression and lack of joy?

Our houses are full of things, and we drown in them, not noticing an exit. We continue to believe that possessions make us happy, and therefore we continue to increase them. But things do not give happiness, they pull us to the earth, tie us to it. Excess has a negative effect. Not only for us, but also for our families. Physical and mental health, relationships suffer because we have too many things.

Modern research proves a direct relationship between the amount of property in the house and the level of stress of a woman in it. One of them, conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, shows that the more things a woman has in her house, the higher her level of stress hormones. In the same study, it was found that women subconsciously associated their feelings of happiness in the family and home with the feelings they have about their home. So the more chaos and garbage there, the less happy a woman is in her family and life [1] .

Right on point!

This is exactly what happened to me, and I believe this is the cause of the burnout epidemic in today's mothers.

By the time I realized this connection, I had been blogging for several years. For a non-working mother, he was a real outlet. Describing what I learned as a mother meant releasing stress. Having changed my life, I began to share my discoveries on the blog.

I decided to turn my blog into a business to teach other women how to change lives in a simple, real and effective way. I told the story of how I got rid of things in an article titled “How Getting Rid of Stuff Saved My Motherhood” [2] . To my surprise, they read it. In just a few weeks, my story was ranked higher than the first presidential debate of 2016!

Now millions of people heard my words, and I realized how much they were needed. If I were the only woman with chronic fatigue, my story would not have skyrocketed to the top of the rankings. Thousands of women would not join my programs and tell how they change every day.

I traveled across the country to help women get rid of their rubbish. I supported the widow as she cleared out her late husband's closet. I guided a mother struggling with depression as she cleared out a children's room overflowing with toys. I helped the hoarder sort out her garage. I stood next to a woman in her closet as she looked at all the clothes she would never be able to wear, and the realization came to her that she hated her body. I've seen a lot.

But if there's one thing I've learned over the years of my work, it's that things are about our emotions: they're a decision we haven't made yet, and the truth we're avoiding. .. I've also learned that most mothers deal with their duties with difficulty. They live in survival mode, feeling that their children's childhood is passing by, although the kids grow up nearby. I have watched this mess lead to chronic overwork and become the foundation of the tormented slob mom image that almost everyone talks about. I directed women in the exact opposite direction - towards freedom, towards the creative space that should be in your life for children. This is the passion of my whole life.

Our things literally steal from us the most precious thing in the world - life. Marshall Goldsmith wrote in his book "Triggers": "If we do not create and control the environment, it will create and control us" [3] . We need to take back control. We must make sure that our homes reflect our values ​​so that they do not distract us from what matters most.

This is what mothers need more than anything else. The kind of minimalism that means less cleaning, less stress, less annoyance with those they love, and more energy and free time to focus on their priorities. They want to feel the joy of being ready to receive a friendly visit without any tension, excitement or embarrassment. They want to enjoy their home, not belong to it. They want to be mothers who play with their children, not those who always clean up. They want to be happier.

It also has to do with the need to create space for good work—work that you feel called to, whether it's a housewife, a CEO, or both. However you live, I want to help you create an environment where you can live well.

If you're ready for the changes that took me from survival to success, then you've come to the right place. I want this to happen to you too. I want you to know that this must not continue. You can choose a different path, you can thrive, you can love and enjoy this life, you can overcome the chronic overwork that everyone calls normal.

I know you want to be the best mother you can be. I know you want to live this life for your children's childhood. I know you want more than the status quo gives you.

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