Tips for Decluttering: How to Reclaim Your Time and Space as a Mom
Welcome to today’s blog post, where we’re diving into productivity hacks and actionable tips for decluttering that can help you reclaim your time and energy as a busy mom. Whether you’re juggling the demands of kids, managing a household, or feeling stuck in an endless cycle of cleaning up, this post is here to guide you through some simple, yet powerful, strategies.
This post is based on a podcast episode from Motherhood Simplified, where Krista Lockwood shares her best insights into how decluttering can drastically improve your daily productivity. Along the way, we’ll go through personal stories, practical tips, and some tried-and-true advice that will make decluttering feel more doable and less overwhelming. Let’s dive in!
Why Productivity Feels Impossible for Moms
Krista kicks off the episode by addressing how productivity can feel like an uphill battle for moms. It’s common to feel like you’re doing all the things but making little to no progress. One of the big reasons for this is not knowing where to focus your efforts.
Does this sound familiar? You’ve been going and going, yet it feels like nothing is getting done. You might start strong, but distractions, lack of energy, or feeling overwhelmed throws you off track.
The good news is, you’re not alone, and the solution often lies in simplifying. Decluttering is a key way to eliminate distractions and clear the mental fog that comes from being surrounded by too much stuff.
Tip #1: Focus on What’s Most Impactful First
One of the best tips for decluttering Krista offers is to focus on what will make the biggest impact on your home and life. Often, moms ask whether they should start with deep cleaning or decluttering. Without hesitation, Krista always recommends starting with decluttering first.
Here’s why: You can’t effectively deep clean when clutter is in the way. Imagine trying to scrub countertops or vacuum floors when every surface is covered with toys, papers, and dishes. It’s exhausting just to think about! By decluttering first, you clear space for cleaning to happen more efficiently, and you don’t have to keep shifting items from one room to another.
Think about areas in your home where clutter is piling up and making it difficult to get anything else done. Is it the kitchen counters? The playroom? Your closet? Start there, and as Krista says, “Declutter first, and cleaning will come easier.”
Tip #2: Master Time Blocking
Another powerful tip for decluttering (and overall productivity) is learning to master time blocking. As a mom, schedules can be too rigid because kids don’t always stick to the clock. Krista recommends time blocking instead, which means creating flexible blocks of time where you focus on specific tasks.
Here’s how it works:
- Morning Block: If possible, get up before the kids and have time to yourself. This is the perfect time to sip your coffee, journal, or tackle a quick task.
- Afternoon Block: Use this time to engage with the kids—play, run errands, or do activities together.
- Nap/Quiet Time Block: If your kids nap or have quiet time, use this opportunity to focus on tasks that require uninterrupted attention—like decluttering a specific area of the house.
- Evening Block: After dinner, focus on cleaning up or prepping for the next day, and spend time with your family.
These time blocks allow you to focus on what’s important without feeling tied to a strict schedule. And when it comes to decluttering, just 15–30 minutes during one of these blocks can make a huge difference!
Tip #3: Delegate Tasks
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a one-person job. Krista encourages moms to delegate as much as possible, and this includes both daily chores and the decluttering process.
You can delegate in several ways:
- Delegate to Your Family: Get the kids involved! Even small kids can help pick up their toys, wipe surfaces, or take their dishes to the sink. Krista shares how her children know when it’s time to tidy up, and they pitch in to make sure their spaces stay clean.
- Delegate to a Partner: Sometimes, it’s a matter of clearly communicating expectations with your spouse. If you need help with specific tasks like laundry, dishes, or dinner prep, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
- Delegate to Professionals: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by housework, consider hiring outside help. A cleaning service that comes once a month or a lawn care service can save you hours of stress and give you back precious time to spend with your family.
Delegating allows you to focus on decluttering without feeling like you’re carrying the entire load by yourself.
Stop Using Excuses: Tips for decluttering
One of the most common things Krista hears from moms is, “I can’t declutter because of my kids.” It’s easy to feel like you don’t have the time or energy to declutter when you’re in the thick of motherhood. But the truth is, you need to declutter because of your kids.
Clutter takes away from your ability to be present with them. It makes it harder to play, relax, and enjoy your home. Plus, when your home is clutter-free, your kids benefit from having an organized and peaceful space where they can thrive.
Krista’s advice? Stop using excuses and start small. You don’t have to declutter your whole house in one day, but you do need to take action. Set aside time for decluttering—whether it’s during nap time or before bed—and make your kids the reason you keep going, not the excuse to stop.
Final Thoughts and tips for decluttering
Decluttering as a mom is all about finding what works for you and focusing on what’s most impactful. Use the tips for decluttering from this post to help you create more space and peace in your home. Remember to start with the areas that will give you the biggest return on investment, master time blocking for flexibility, and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks when needed.
For more guidance on decluttering, check out the Decluttering Simplified course by Krista Lockwood. It’s designed to help moms like you get rid of clutter, streamline routines, and take control of your home without feeling overwhelmed.
Ready to take action? Start small, stay consistent, and remember—you’ve got this!
