by Martha Tobin
Of late it feels like the world is in chaos (i.e. tariffs, wars, climate change, etc). When the outside world is in chaos, it’s more important than ever to create a calm home that is a safehaven where you can recharge and regroup.
An easy way to create this calm is to set up some systems for items. These systems allow you to reduce the visual effects of clutter thereby reducing the overload of stimulii around you.
5 suggestions to get you started with some organizational systems:
- Set up a basket near the front door for incoming mail, flyers and pamphlets. Review this basket weekly and recycle items as needed.
- Set up a bin in the kitchen for kids’ artwork, bills or receipts. Review the contents of this basket every few days and take action on any actionable items. For kids’ art consider taking a photo of some of the art so that you can keep the memory but let the item go.
- Set up a donation bin in a closet or in your laundry room. As you come across clothing or footwear that you no longer want, put them in this bin and when the bin is full, drop these off to a local charity.
- Set up a bin for often-used tech accessories (i.e. charging cords, adaptors, headphones etc). This way everyone knows where to return these items and where to find them when needed.
- Every evening before bed take a tour of your main living spaces and put items back where they ‘live’ in your home (i.e. kids’ homework in their room or backpack, clothing back to closets, etc).
The news these days can quickly wear us down but by creating a home that is more calm, you can reduce your feelings of overwhelm, frustration and helplessness and know that at the very least your house is a safehaven to come home to.
“Your home should be the antidote of stress, not the cause of it.” (The Simplicity Habit)