Want a Tidier Home? These 9 Habits Can Help You Get There—Mindfully

As a professional home organizer since 2005, I’ve discovered that if you long for your home to feel tidy most of the time, the secret isn’t perfection—it’s habit change.

And trust me, “most of the time” is more than good enough! No one (not even me!) has a home that’s perfectly organized every moment of every day. We live, work, and play in our homes, and naturally, there’s a constant energetic flow between order and disorder.

The real question is: Can you bring your space back to calm with ease and grace? If you can reset your home in a short amount of time, then color yourself organized!

How to Get Rid of Clutter: 9 Simple and Effective Habits

1. Stop Clutter at the Source
   

   See our free “Stop Clutter” PDF resource. If you don’t allow unneeded things into your home, you won’t have to clean, organize or declutter them! Watch your buying habits (beware of bargains!) and do your best to stop unneeded items from ever entering your home.

2. Mindfully Create Systems

   Begin by noticing where clutter collects. These clutter-attracting places are your “hot spots.” Pick one hot spot and create a plan for where to keep the items that have collected there. Remember that like begets like and clutter attracts more clutter. It can help to put something pretty like a decorative vase or fresh flowers on a surface that was formerly a hot spot as a visual reminder to keep the space beautiful. For more on this topic, see also our post on decluttering surfaces.

3. Create Landing Places for Important Items
   

   There are some items we need regularly: often we can’t leave the house without them, but it’s easy for them to get lost amid our things when we’re home. I’m talking about those everyday things like keys, mobile phone, and wallet or anything else you tend to lose!

   Even if you keep your wallet, mobile phone, and keys in your purse or briefcase, your mobile phone will often follow you around the house and your wallet may end up by the computer for a purchase! To avoid this annoyance, create  a designated place for each of these items. When you grab your keys to get something from the car, return them to their place when you’re finished. The place could be a surface with three sticky notes: one that says “keys,” one “phone,” and one “wallet.” Or you might use an attractive bowl in which you deposit these items when not in use. Or you might choose to create the habit of always returning such objects to your purse or backpack!

4. Say “NO Thank You” to Free Stuff

   There is a lot of free stuff floating around our lives. From swag bags at conferences to hand-me-downs from friends, a lot of the clutter in our homes came to us free, and it’s hard to say no to free stuff!

   But remember, most things are not truly “free.” If an item brings you stress, it’s taking a toll on your energy. Even if you didn’t buy it, it has a cost! Try gently declining free things, even if it feels counterintuitive. The more you do it, the stronger that “muscle” or habit will become. Your future self will thank you for less clutter. For alternative gift ideas that do not create clutter, click here.

5. Have Donation Containers Ready
   

   As you go through your daily life, you may come across something in your home and realize “I’m ready to let that go.” Make letting it go easy. Keep a donation box or bag in a closet or near your entryway. That way, when you come across something you’re ready to release, it has somewhere to go immediately.

   Important note! Full donation containers still take up mental and energetic space. Once they’re full, don’t wait—drop them off or schedule a pickup. Our resources page includes a list of donation centers.

6. Declutter Regularly (even for just 5 minutes!)

   Five minutes a day can work wonders. Try tidying a little before dinner or after your morning coffee. A timer really helps—set it, declutter, then stop. Small, consistent steps—what I like to call “a gentle rhythm”—are often more sustainable than marathon organizing sessions.

   If daily doesn’t work for you, try setting aside an hour each weekend. I love how Stephanie Vogt’s Your Spacious Self: Clear the Clutter and Discover Who You Are supports this “slow drip” method as a stress-free alternative to more intense approaches like the popular KonMari method.

7. Keep Trash and Recycling Bins Within Reach

   Make it easy to let things go. Place small bins for trash, recycling, or “in transit” items in every room. And don’t be afraid to use them! If it’s nearby, you’ll use it. And yes—out of sight clutter still weighs on you.

   SEE ALSO: Our “Receptacle Readiness” blog post for visual ideas and setups.

8. Watch Out for “Someday” Projects

   Fix, donate, trash or replace broken things in your home. If something’s broken, ask yourself honestly: will I fix it—and when? If it doesn’t get done in the time you set, that’s okay. Let it go, donate the parts, or release the project entirely without judgment.

   In one of my favorite books, Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui, Karen Kingston mentions that unfinished projects are a form of clutter in one of the first chapters! Set aside time to complete any unfinished projects scattered throughout your home. You saved those materials for a reason, so make the time to use them. If the project no longer seems joyful, pass the supplies on to someone else!

9. Let Go of Items with Negative Energy

   Some items come with emotional baggage. A gift from someone who made you feel small, or an object tied to a painful time—these things take up more than space. Say goodbye to any items that have negative associations or memories. Give yourself permission to let go of what no longer serves you emotionally. You’re making space for peace, beauty, and healing energy to return. Gently releasing objects that bring your energy down will make space for your treasures to shine!

Your Habits Shape Your Home—and Your Energy

Whether it’s a wedding dress from a past relationship or a growing stack of paper after a stressful week, your home reflects your habits, values, and season of life.

If your space is bringing you stress, try changing one small habit. You may be surprised by how much lightness, clarity, and joy follow.

“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.”
—Stephen Covey

BONUS HABIT TWEAKING TIP! Did you once have a great organizing habit that somehow faded away? You haven’t failed. Try it again. If it doesn’t quite fit now, tweak it. Mastery often means picking it back up after life throws you off course.

Let’s Reflect Together!

Which of these 9 mindful habits speaks to you right now? Which one feels hardest? What does a supportive home environment look and feel like to you?

I’d love to hear in the comments—or in a complimentary Discovery Call, if you’re considering a little extra support.

Discover more ways to mindfully declutter your home or office here! >>

(If you purchase one of the books mentioned here, I receive a small percentage of the sales price as a member of the Amazon affiliate program.)