(And How to Fix Them Fast!)
Ever feel like you’re doing ‘all the things’ and yet your house still feels like it’s closing in on you?
You’re not imagining it.
The mess isn’t just annoying — it’s mentally exhausting.
Visual clutter actually increases your stress hormones. 😳 And when you’re already juggling work, kids, and about a hundred other things, even just looking at the chaos can leave you feeling frazzled before the day even begins.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need a marathon cleaning session to feel relief.
Today, I’m sharing 5 sneaky clutter zones that are secretly adding to your overwhelm — and super simple, fast ways to fix them.
Let’s go! 👏
1. Kitchen Counters
Ahhh, the kitchen counter.
A magnet for everything — mail, snack wrappers, school papers, water bottles… you name it.
Why it’s stressing you out:
Your counters are prime real estate. When they’re covered in clutter, your brain feels like it’s handling all those tasks at once.
Quick fix:
✅ Set a simple “clear counter rule” — aim to clear one section daily (you don’t have to tackle it all at once!)
✅ Use a catch-all basket for daily papers and sort it out every evening for a clean slate tomorrow.
2. The Entryway
Shoes. Backpacks. Mail. Random toys.
Your entryway might be the first thing you (and your family) see when you walk in — and it sets the tone for your whole home.
Why it’s stressing you out:
Clutter here greets you at the door and says, “Hey, you’ve got a million things to do!”
Quick fix:
✅ Add hooks for bags and jackets, and baskets for shoes or odds and ends.
✅ Do a 60-second tidy-up before bed — it makes such a difference in the morning!
Trust me, this one is a game-changer. ✨
3. The Junk Drawer
Ahhh yes, the black hole of your home. 😅
It’s easy to pretend it doesn’t exist, but you know it’s lurking there… and it weighs on you mentally.
Why it’s stressing you out:
Out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind. Even hidden clutter adds to your feeling of overwhelm.
Quick fix:
✅ Set a timer for 5 minutes. Toss the trash, group like items, and add simple dividers.
✅ Pro tip: Add a once-a-month reminder to reset it!
4. Kids’ Toys
Toys. Everywhere. All the time.
Why it’s stressing you out:
Even when you love seeing your kids play, the scattered toys can feel like an endless to-do list.
Quick fix:
✅ Try a “toy rotation” system — store some toys out of sight and swap them out regularly. Less mess, more novelty!
✅ Make a quick end-of-day toy tidy part of your family routine. (Bonus: It teaches the kids responsibility!)
Small shifts like this build big momentum.
5. Your Car
Surprise! Clutter follows you outside the house, too. 🚗
Crumbs, wrappers, water bottles — they add up.
Why it’s stressing you out:
Your car is part of your daily rhythm. Starting and ending your day in a messy space? Instant stress.
Quick fix:
✅ Keep a small trash bag in the car for daily tosses.
✅ Take two minutes to tidy up while pumping gas or waiting in the school pickup line.
Your future self will thank you every time you buckle up. 😉
Small Steps = Big Calm
See?
It doesn’t have to be a major cleaning spree to feel a shift in your home (and your mind!).
Just a few quick resets in these high-impact zones will lighten your mental load so much.
And I’ve got even more where that came from!
➡️ Grab my free checklist: Decluttering Mini Guide
It’s packed with fast, feel-good wins you can knock out in just minutes a day.
And if you’re ready to really get your groove going, my Mom’s 5-Minute Reset Planner is your step-by-step system for building these habits into your daily life. 🧡
Here’s to your calm, joyful, clutter-free home.
You deserve it, mama.