When life gets chaotic, it’s easy for our homes to become overwhelmed. We’re left juggling multiple responsibilities, barely keeping up with daily tasks, and feeling like we’re drowning in a sea of mess. As homesteaders, we often strive for simplicity and efficiency, but it can be tough to maintain when everything feels like it’s spinning out of control. So, how do we reclaim our sense of calm and order amidst the chaos? By implementing a few simple strategies, that’s how.
Here are some straightforward tips and tricks to help us homesteaders keep our homes running smoothly despite the demands of daily life.
How to Keep Your Homestead Organized
Don’t Be Afraid to Label Everything
When it comes to organizing your space, the old adage ‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ rings true. To tackle this challenge, consider creating an ‘I have no idea’ bucket for items that don’t quite fit elsewhere. Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, you can categorize similar items together or store them away in a closet if they’re not being used. For items that don’t have a clear home, consider labeling them with a traditional label maker or a more modern QR code solution.
I personally use a QR code maker for my garage storage boxes, which allows me to quickly scan and locate specific containers using my phone. This approach has been a game-changer in keeping my garage tidy and stress-free. It’s essential to remember that the key to maintaining an organized space is actually putting things away where they belong. For instance, if you’ve designated a spot for your keys near the dining room and kitchen, make sure to put them there every time.
Don’t be like me or my husband, who occasionally need to spend a few minutes searching for misplaced items.
Take the Time to Plan
I’m obsessed with planning, and my favorite tool is the Happy Planner. Every Sunday, I dedicate an hour or so to planning with my girls – we bust out the stickers, stamps, and all the fixings. We make a list of everything that needs to be done, from grocery shopping to ordering prescription medication for our daughter. Having this planner has been a game-changer; in the mornings, I can flip straight to the relevant page and stay on top of things.
I keep all my notes and reminders in the planner, whether it’s tracking the laying habits of our hens or keeping tabs on when new chicks will hatch from the incubator. It’s also super helpful for keeping a detailed cleaning schedule. Additionally, we use a family calendar that hangs in the kitchen – it’s been a lifesaver! No more forgotten appointments or surprises; with this planner, everyone knows what’s going on and can plan accordingly.
Handle the Paper Trail
As a teacher, I’ve struggled to keep track of the numerous papers that come with the job. Add to that my husband’s work and our farm life, where receipts seem to multiply like rabbits! This year, we finally started a comprehensive binder for all our business expenses, which has been a game-changer. It’s amazing how much more organized I’ve become already.
On the teaching front, I’ve implemented a similar system for my students’ work, setting aside a special box for their most treasured creations. This tradition actually started with my own kids when they were younger, and it was always a delight to see what they’d chosen each week. It’s wonderful to think that one day, they’ll look back on these mementos with fondness.
Understand Your Why
As you contemplate organizing your home, reflect on the reasons driving your decision. Are you tired of wasting precious time searching for misplaced items or do you feel overwhelmed by the chaos that greets you upon returning home? Write down your motivations and keep them in a readily accessible location.
This way, when fatigue sets in and bed beckons, you’ll be reminded of the sense of accomplishment that comes with a clutter-free kitchen – a feeling that can motivate you to tackle tasks even on the most exhausting days.
Think Outside the Box
One of the challenges with maintaining a paper trail is that sentimental items often lack a designated home. For instance, artwork can be particularly tricky to store. Instead of creating additional storage space, which would only lead to further clutter, consider digitizing these items. Take a high-quality photo of each piece and display it on a digital frame.
This way, the item remains within your line of sight while freeing up physical space that might have otherwise been consumed by dust-gathering paper.
Find That One Area
In many households, there exists a specific zone where clutter tends to accumulate. For my in-laws, this spot is the dining table, while for our family, it’s the kitchen counter leading into the dining room. If you’re familiar with this problem area causing stress and discomfort within your household, consider dedicating a mere 10-15 minutes, twice daily, to tidying up items that currently reside in this space.
By doing so, you’ll significantly reduce stress when gazing upon or thinking about this area.
Get Everyone Involved
One common challenge many parents face is striking a balance between work, personal time, and household responsibilities. At my house, it’s a relief when one of our children takes charge of a task, freeing up time for other activities. For instance, having one kid do half the dishes while another folds laundry makes a big difference.
It’s easy to feel guilty about not doing enough for your children, especially considering they spend eight hours a day in school and often come home with homework. This guilt can lead us to take on too much ourselves, rather than teaching our kids valuable life skills like time management and responsibility.
However, it’s crucial we set our children up for success by empowering them to take ownership of their tasks now.
When they’re older and working eight hours a day, they’ll need to come home and manage their own responsibilities just as we do today. Why not start teaching them the importance of delegating chores and setting a good example for the future?
There are many creative ways to get kids involved in household tasks, from using ‘reward systems’ like giving back a toy once a chore is complete, to interactive chore charts that display daily, weekly, or monthly responsibilities.
By incorporating these ideas into your routine, you can help your children develop essential life skills and learn to manage their time effectively.
Don’t Let Perfection Get in the Way
Julia Child’s cooking shows may be the reason why I’m drawn to watching her. She was incredibly talented in her craft, yet she wasn’t afraid to make mistakes on camera. In fact, when she’d mess up a dish or two, she’d confidently walk viewers through how to fix it, proving that even imperfections can be overcome. This no-fuss attitude is something we could all learn from, especially when it comes to home organization.
In today’s social media-driven culture, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly perfect homes and spaces we see online. We might feel like we need to achieve perfection before even attempting to get organized. But Julia would likely encourage us to take a different approach. Instead of giving up, break down the task into smaller, manageable chunks.
Start with a single area, like your desk, and commit to getting it tidy.
Then, move on to the next task without worrying about achieving perfection. The goal should be to create a clean and organized space that works for you, not some idealized version we see online.
Purge
While some may argue that ‘spring cleaning’ is the only time to tackle clutter, I believe there’s value in decluttering at any time of year. Whether you’re reading this in the spring, fall, or even during the holiday season, now is always a good time to get started. To make the process more manageable, I recommend starting with four boxes: one for items to keep, one for items to sell or give away through a yard sale, one for donations, and one for items that are truly ready for disposal.
Begin by categorizing your belongings in an objective manner, without letting emotions cloud your judgment. If you can train yourself to think like a robot, you’ll be more likely to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose. It’s also crucial to set aside a designated ‘tuck away’ box where you store items you might need in the future. If you haven’t accessed this box in six months, it’s probably safe to assume you won’t miss those items if they’re gone.
Make a Cleaning List
Creating a comprehensive cleaning list can help you stay on top of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly tasks. Consider breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks that fit your schedule and preferences. One key aspect to consider is automation – think about tasks that can be delegated to others in your household or outsourced entirely. For instance, in the past, we relied on a local laundry service that would wash, fold, and hang our clothes for us.
It was convenient, but ultimately decided whether it was worth the cost. To create an effective cleaning list, consider what tasks you can realistically complete daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. For example:* Daily: Take just a few minutes to clean your floors, do the dishes as soon as they’re dirty, and make your beds. These small tasks can make a big difference in maintaining a tidy home.
Cleaning the Floors:I learned firsthand that regular floor cleaning can be incredibly effective. Sweeping daily and mopping once a week can keep your floors looking their best.* Dishes: Get into the habit of doing dishes immediately after meals to avoid the chore from piling up.* Bed Making: Take just a few minutes each day to make your beds, which can help create a sense of order and reduce stress.
Wrapping It Up
The art of organization is often underestimated, with many finding it easier to conceptualize than implement. To make the process more manageable, break down tasks into smaller, bite-sized chunks. As your household settles into a routine of increased organization, you may be surprised by the time and creative energy that becomes available.
With this newfound freedom, you can turn your attention to exciting projects like crafting unique soap recipes, building beautiful bird baths, or experimenting with delicious treats. These rewarding pursuits serve as excellent motivators to maintain an organized home, so grab your planner and get started.
