Welcome to Day 1 of the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge! Over the next month we’ll declutter, reorganize, and breathe new life into our homes so they feel calmer and more welcoming. If you’re new to the challenge, you may want to start here at the beginning.
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My “I’ve Had It” Moment
One afternoon last fall I reached my limit. The clutter felt like it was closing in on me. It wasn’t even election day—I think it was the third straight day my kids stayed home sick. I was done. Every surface seemed to be holding junk: counters, floors, and corners filled with things I rarely used. I was in the middle of pulling out Christmas decorations and boxes were everywhere, but the true problem was the underlying accumulation of stuff.
Yes, those are toys scattered across the living room, but there were also piles of stuff on the kitchen counters and across my office floor.
With both of my girls’ birthdays the week before Christmas—and the holidays right behind them—I knew a tidal wave of new toys and present-related clutter was coming. If I didn’t clear some space and quiet the visual noise, I was certain it would affect my peace of mind (and probably my patience with my family).
I grabbed my copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and committed to the KonMari mindset again—only this time with urgency. I’d already decluttered my clothes and shoes before, but everything benefits from a refresh. The truth is, anything in life needs regular pruning to stay healthy, and our homes are no different.
We can’t just keep buying without letting things go. If you continue to bring new items into your home, something else has to leave. For me, my sanity and my relationships matter more than holding onto excess. I owed it to my husband and kids—and to myself—to start the new year with a calmer, decluttered, and organized space.
You deserve that, too. A home filled only with items you love and use will feel lighter and function better. This 30-day challenge is your gift to yourself: a structured, doable plan to reclaim your space and your peace.
Defining Your Why
Every successful project starts with a plan and a clear goal. I’m guilty of wandering around with a trash bag and tossing things out without a real strategy—then feeling better for a day before old habits return. That’s why planning matters. But even before you create a plan, you must identify your why.
Knowing why you want to declutter becomes the motivation that keeps you going when the work gets tough. For example, my why for blogging is to provide supplemental income for my family, give our girls opportunities to participate in activities, take family trips, and bless others. I remember that purpose when I’m tired and tempted to quit. Your decluttering why will do the same thing for this challenge.
Today’s task: write down your why. Be specific. Do you want less time spent picking up clutter? Do you want your home to feel relaxing after a long day? Do you want to stop buying duplicates because you can’t find things? Nail down the reason you’re doing this work—because it will require consistency, discipline, and courage to finish.
Once you have your why, make it visible. Print it, write it on a sticky note, or tape it to the fridge or the door you use most. Put it where you will see it daily: over your desk, in your planner, or next to your calendar. Keep it front and center so when the days feel long, you remember the outcome you’re working toward.
Define your why.
Write it down.
Make it visible.
See you tomorrow for Day 2!
In the mess with you, Laura
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