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Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut, where no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get the results you’re looking for? I definitely have, especially when it comes to laundry and household chores! For the longest time, I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up. No matter how many loads of laundry I did, it seemed like there was always more piling up. Keeping my home neat and organized felt like an endless battle that I just couldn’t win. I tried different strategies, but nothing seemed to stick. Over time, I realized that it wasn’t just about trying harder—it was about finding a system that worked for me. Once I started focusing on small, manageable tasks and developing routines, I started to see results. It taught me the value of patience and consistency, and how the right approach can make all the difference.
Sometimes, we complicate our lives by thinking that in order to achieve peace and serenity, we need everything to be perfect—the ideal job, the right income, the perfect hobbies, the best exercise routine, and so on. But what I’ve discovered is that by focusing on the simple things, those small changes can actually lead to bigger results and help reduce our daily stress.
I am going to share with you what four things changed the game for me!
Make the Bed Every Day
This is so simple, but yet I have not been consistent with it in the last several years. Partly due to waking up and realizing I’ve overslept and already am running behind, I would just leave the bed unmade. I felt as if making the bed would be a 20-minute ordeal. I’ve recently started making my bed as of this January (2025) and I’ve timed myself and it usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes at most to make the bed.
Every time I walk into our room, I see the bed made, I just feel at peace. Keeping up with this simple routine has been a catalyst for other good habits, like not leaving clothes on the floor, making sure the bathroom is decluttered. Our bedroom should be a safe and tranquil space. I love that my room is inviting, making climbing into bed at the end of the day more relaxing.
Making your bed every day is a quick win that helps start the day on a good note. It instantly makes your room look tidier, which can reduce stress. Plus, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and sets a more relaxed, organized vibe for the rest of the day.
Declutter (continually!)
We live in a medium-sized one-story home, with 3 beds and 2 baths. I say this because it’s not like we live in a 6,000-square-foot home where it would be difficult to clean the entire home on a regular basis. I can not imagine! Each day I felt like I was spending the majority of my time cleaning. Then it dawned on me, that maybe it’s hard to keep up a clean house, not because there are not enough hours in the day, but because we have too much stuff. I decided to find inspiration and I discovered the Minimal Mom on YouTube.
It was invigorating getting a giant box and going through our home decluttering items that no longer serve us, or don’t spark joy (nod to you, Marie Kondo) or just don’t bring value to our home. Dawn from the Minimal Mom talks about how it feels odd to get rid of perfectly good items, but she assures us that it’s okay! This was a necessary reset as it made me more conscientious of what I was bringing into our home. Before, I was constantly buying things from Target, Amazon, Dollar Tree, etc. By stopping excess consumption of things, I cut back excessive spending, which really helped our budget!
Decluttering gave me a chance to go through my craft room and look through my storage bins to decide if I still need anything, or if I could sell anything on OfferUp. Turns out, I had quite a lot of stuff I needed to get rid of. One thing, for example, I had 25 glass vases from our wedding. I decided to sell them on OfferUp because they have just been siting in storage for the last 5 years. It is important to be in a continual state of decluttering whether it is biannually or quarterly, as we acquire new things in our homes from gifts, events, special occasions, and everyday purchases.
No More Clothes on the Floor
I was not in the habit of putting clothes away after I was done wearing them. Yep, call me an adult-sized toddler. I would step out of my clothes and often leave them on the floor when I went to take a shower or by my bedside by the end of the day. Then I would eventually gather it all up to do laundry. Writing this now seems unimaginable! I can’t believe I just left clothes on the floor instead of immediately placing them in the dirty laundry basket. Having all my dirty clothes on the floor definitely brought on feelings of overwhelm and that gross feeling when everything around you is dirty. Now, I make it a habit to immediately place clothes in the laundry basket, or hang them on a clothing rack if they can be worn again like pajamas, or a sweater for example.
Keeping clothes off the floor can actually help reduce stress by making your space feel more organized and calm. When there’s less clutter around, it’s easier to focus and not get distracted by all the mess. Plus, having things neatly put away makes it way quicker to find what you need, so you’re not rushing around looking for that one shirt. A tidy environment just feels less overwhelming, helping you relax and stay in control of your day instead of feeling stressed by the chaos around you. It’s a small thing that can really make a difference!
Reduce Clothing Inventory
Decision fatigue is a real thing y’all! If you have ever been to California and are familiar with In N Out Burger, you know they have 3 options on their menu - pretty much 3 renditions of the classic burger. It makes ordering so simple. Why can’t we take this simple concept to our wardrobe at home? I didn’t realize I had too many clothes - even though my dirty laundry basket, clean laundry basket, and closet were always full of clothes. I decided to do a major overhaul of my clothes and it feels amazing! Less decision making in the morning and less clothes for me to have to wash.
Decision fatigue happens when your brain gets overwhelmed by making too many choices throughout the day, leading to poor decisions or a lack of motivation to make any at all. When you have too many options, it’s easy to feel mentally drained. Fewer choices reduce that pressure and make decision-making simpler. This is why having less stuff, whether it’s clothes or other items, can be a game changer. When you have fewer options, like a streamlined wardrobe or fewer distractions, your brain can focus more on what truly matters, making it easier to stay energized and clear-headed.
Downsizing your wardrobe can really help reduce stress by simplifying your choices and making your space feel more organized. When you own fewer clothes, there’s less clutter to deal with, which creates a calmer environment. It also makes getting dressed each day easier, as you’re not overwhelmed by options. Plus, the time you spend deciding what to wear is cut down, leaving you more time for other things. By focusing on items you truly love and need, you’re less likely to feel bogged down by the pressure of maintaining a large wardrobe. Overall, less really can be more!
I hope these 4 simple habits will be a game changer for you! Let me know in the comments below if you have tried any of these habits!
