3 Mindset Hacks to Maintain an Uncluttered Home
I have a real weakness for minimalist interior design. Rooms flooded with natural light and adorned with white accents, copious greenery, and a bit of wicker or macramé boho flair simply draw me in.
Yep, pop over to Pinterest, type in “boho minimalist interior,” and I’m a happy scroller.
If you’ve been on my Instagram, then you’ll see I relish these images almost as much as I do quotes.
With each new image, I evaluate the ambiance of the room and inspect it’s contents, but not in a covetous sort of way (I’ve realized a while ago that I can really like something and not need or want it. My happiness isn’t derived from stuff). Instead I look at the room more the way a curator would take in an art piece, admiring how the textures and colors come together to create beauty.
Recently I was contemplating a gem-of-a-room when I realized something:
Behind creating and maintaining this space is diligence.
For any lived-in room to stay clutter free there is someone dedicated to keeping it that way. The homeowners have habits that preserve the beauty of their living spaces and keep them from being overrun with clutter.
Living in an uncluttered home starts with owning less stuff. But even once you’ve minimized thoroughly, clutter-free habits are what maintain a home’s orderly, light feel.
In my experience, developing clutter-free habits begins with your mindset.
Here are 3 mindset hacks to help keep your home clutter-free. They’ve helped me maintain a minimal and uncluttered home, and I think they’ll help you too.
1. Consider the 17-Second Rule
Knowing our mindset can shift once we simply start a task is essential for maintaining an uncluttered home. In his book Pivot & Go, David Nurse outlines the “17-second rule.” When facing a task, Nurse writes that 17 seconds is all it takes for us to go from unenthused to engaged.
Don’t feel like cleaning the bathroom even though it obviously needs done? Set a timer and get to work. After fighting through the first 17 seconds, you’ll have overthrown your reluctant mindset, have completely committed to bathroom scrubbing, and be well on your way to a sparkling space. Don’t feel like folding and putting away laundry? All you have to get through is the first 17 seconds of work for your resistance to fade. Soon you’ll have the piles put away and will be pleased with the clear space.
2. Realize how long tasks actually take
A daunting task can seem doable when you know how much of your time it requires. Go ahead and time yourself doing routine tasks in your home so you know how long they take.
I’ve found this especially helpful when resetting our home at night. A glance across a disorderly room, especially when I’m tired, can feel a bit overwhelming. Then I remind myself it only takes five minutes to retrieve throw pillows, fold a blanket and return out-of-place-items to their home. Reframing the task in this way makes me feel like I have the upper hand. My self-talk switches to a you-got-this mentality, which makes taking action easier.
3. Practice the Two-Minute Rule
David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done, introduces the idea that if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then do it now. Gretchen Rubin’s “one-minute rule” follows the same principle. Doing the little things immediately and consistently leads to a tidier home. Here are some examples of one-to-two-minute tasks:
Make your bed
Hang up your coat
Put clothes away or in the hamper after wearing them
Put away clean dishes
Recycle junk mail
Put away kitchen appliances after use (toaster, coffee maker)
File papers
Pick up toys
Empty full trash cans
Put away bathroom toiletries after use
You’ll spend less mental power prioritizing tasks (meaning less decision fatigue). Just do whatever presents itself, as long as it takes less than two minutes to complete.
When learning this skill, post a note somewhere that you’ll see it often that reads: “If it only takes two minutes, do it now!” Keeping this idea fresh in your mind increases the likelihood you’ll act accordingly.
I’ve found that when we use mindset hacks to develop clutter-free habits, a powerful force begins to work in our favor: momentum.
Nurse says that “Momentum builds on momentum.” And it’s true.
Once you make your bed first thing in the morning, you’re actually setting the tone for your day. Your actions affirm your capability—you can meet your clutter-free goals. You’ll carry this mindset into other parts of your day, increasing the probability that you’ll take action. What starts with a made bed soon becomes clear kitchen countertops and floors without clothes piles.
While living clutter-free is a journey, the most important thing you can do is just get started. It’s the little things, done consistently that lead to desired results.
I encourage you to choose one of these three mindset hacks above and give them a try. Why not start today?
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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City apartment home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, and 6-month-old son. You can also find her on Instagram.
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I want to help you design a simple, intentional life! I’ve created a 30-day course that will guide and inspire you to declutter your home, heart and schedule, and live focused on what matters. Learn more HERE.