Ready to find peace in your home again?
You can’t decorate a home that’s weighed down by clutter. Begin your decluttering journey with a focused 30-day challenge—daily encouragement and practical tips delivered by email to keep you motivated and moving forward.
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How It All Began
Chances are you and I share the same life: busy schedules, overflowing to-do lists, and a home that often feels cluttered. For years I kept my calendar and my house jam-packed, only to realize that life feels too short to constantly run from one thing to the next while tripping over toys and piles.
I want my home to be a place of rest and refuge—a space that soothes instead of stresses—but most days it doesn’t feel that way. I get cranky, overwhelmed, and like I never have time to sort it all out. Does that sound familiar?
To be clear: I’m not chasing perfection. I don’t expect an immaculate home with everything precisely in place—especially not with two small children and two working parents. What I want is a functional home that meets the needs of my family and gives us a welcoming space to be together. I don’t want to spend my life managing stuff, and I don’t think that’s an unreasonable goal.
About six months ago I asked readers what their biggest barrier was to creating a home they loved. The top two answers were organization and time. I agreed—those are exactly the things I need most.
One day, rushing out the door and feeling frazzled, I thought, “I am such a hot mess.” Then I realized what I wanted for the coming year: to be less of a hot mess. Thus the 30-day “Less of a Hot Mess” challenge was born. Yes, January has 31 days, but 30 sounds better—and that’s what I chose!
When I reflected on what would help me be more organized and free up time, the answer kept coming back to one word: margin.
I need margin in my home—white space in closets, clear floors, and fewer things to manage. I also need margin in my schedule so I can savor ordinary moments with my family. Just naming that made me breathe easier.
Can you imagine a life with margin and white space? A clutter-free home that lets you focus on what matters most? That’s the goal: to declutter so we can be more organized, more present, and more centered on our priorities. It sounds simple, but it’s often hard to start.
I’ve committed to tackling the “hot mess zones” in my home over the next 30 days, beginning January 1. I’d love for you to join me. I’ll be honest about my progress, real about setbacks, and encouraging about practical steps you can take to make meaningful change.
One favor: focus on this single task for 30 days. Don’t try to learn a dozen organizing methods at once or juggle another intensive course. Be fully committed to this challenge—master it. As a chronic multi-tasker, I promise that concentrating on one objective will pay off. Do this well before moving on to the next thing, and you’ll thank yourself for years to come.
Ready to begin? I’m in your corner, cheering you on every step of the way.
In the mess with you, Laura
P.S. Most days there will be a simple “Messy Work” task. These tasks won’t be time-consuming, but they will give you practical momentum. To jump-start the challenge, try today’s task:
The Messy Work: Grab two trash bags and set a 30-minute timer. Quickly move through your home and fill one bag with obvious trash and the other with items to donate. Toss the trash immediately—you won’t miss it. Take donations to a local charity before January 1 if you want a tax deduction for last year.
The Challenge:
- Day 1: Defining Your Why
- Day 2: How to Set Organizational Goals
- Day 3: How to Organize Your Day
- Day 4: The Home Organization Binder
- Day 5: An Organized Work Day: Time-Blocking Tips
- Day 6: Create a Manageable Cleaning Schedule
- Day 7: My Favorite Organizational Products
- Day 8: How to Organize Your Purse
- Day 9: Eliminate Paper Clutter for Good
- Day 10: Declutter an Entire Room in 5 Steps
- Day 11: Craft Supplies: 5 to Toss Today
- Day 12: Smart Kitchen Organization Tips
- Day 13: Easy Meal Planning Strategies
- Day 14: 5 Habits of Highly Organized People
- Day 15: Organize Your Phone and Computer
- Day 16: Junk Drawer: 15-Minute Fix
- Day 17: Refrigerator Organization Tips
- Day 18: How to Organize Your Pantry
- Day 19: Create Pantry Labels
- Day 20: Top 10 Organized Craft Room Ideas
- Day 21: Organize When You Love Too Much Stuff
- Day 22: 7 Ways Organizing Improves Your Life
- Day 23: Organized Closet Systems
- Day 24: Organized Jewelry & Cosmetics
- Day 25: Organize When You Feel Overwhelmed
- Day 26: 6 Tips to Keep Kids’ Clutter in Check
- Day 27: Create Margin When Life Is Crazy
- Day 28: 5 Tips for Kids’ Clothes
- Day 29: Organized Paint Storage
- Day 30: A Decluttered Heart