There comes a point when you look around your house and realize you’re spending an awful lot of time cleaning things that you probably don’t even need.
And it got me thinking… I’m tired of cleaning around ALL. This. Stuff!
So it was time to take action. And I felt it was literally time for that home reset!
Moving things. Dusting things. Picking things up. Putting things somewhere else. And then, because apparently we enjoy making extra work for ourselves, moving those same things AGAIN.
Can we talk about that? 😂
I’ve been thinking about changing the way I approach deep cleaning and decluttering around here.
Instead of saving all the big projects for quarterly cleaning days or one enormous once-a-year overhaul, I want to make it a more regular part of maintaining our home.
Because honestly, I have too much stuff. And I’m getting a little tired of being the unpaid housekeeping department for all of it.
Today we’re doing a mid-season home reset, working through different areas of the house, clearing out clutter, refreshing our spaces, and making room for a clean slate.
We’re not necessarily finishing every project. We’re starting things, making progress, and giving ourselves a little grace. That’s the plan, anyway!
Why I’m Changing My Deep Cleaning Mindset
I’ve noticed something interesting as I’ve been working through different decluttering projects. The more I remove things I don’t actually need, the lighter I feel.
Not just physically, because obviously having fewer things means fewer things to move around, but mentally, too.
Life can get stressful. Sometimes there are things happening behind the scenes that we don’t necessarily share online, and those things can affect how we feel about our surroundings. I’ve noticed that during difficult seasons, I sometimes become more attached to things. Familiar objects, things I’ve had forever, things I might need someday.
And suddenly, I’m keeping things just in case.
Just in case of what? That’s sometimes the million-dollar question.
I’m trying to remind myself that stuff is just stuff. I can appreciate something, enjoy having it for a while, and still decide it’s time to let it go.
That’s why I’m enjoying these deep cleaning and decluttering projects so much lately. Every little bit makes the next project easier.
I don’t want to spend my time managing clutter. I want to enjoy my home!
The Donation Box Test: Have I Actually Missed It?
One thing I’ve started doing is putting items I’m ready to donate into boxes and letting those boxes sit for a while before taking everything away.
And here’s the interesting part.
If something has been sitting in my foyer for several weeks and I haven’t gone looking for it, I probably don’t need it.
I haven’t missed it. I haven’t needed it. Life has continued without that particular object taking up valuable real estate in my house.
That’s useful information!
Of course, this isn’t about getting rid of everything or turning the house into some sort of minimalist showroom. I still like my pretty things. I enjoy decorating, shopping, seasonal displays, and making our home feel cozy.
But there’s a difference between enjoying the things you own and having so many things that maintaining your home becomes a full-time job.
I’m working on figuring out what I actually use, what I genuinely enjoy, and what I’m simply holding onto out of habit.
The Fireplace Corner: Our Household Lost and Found
Every house seems to have one of those spaces.
You know the one.
It’s where things land because you’re going to put them away later. Then something else gets added. And another thing. And before you know it, you’ve accidentally opened a storage facility.
For me, it’s the corner by our cast iron stone fireplace near the entryway.
It’s a convenient spot when I’m coming in or heading out, which is probably why it has become such a catch-all. Things I’m taking somewhere, things I’ve brought inside, things I haven’t figured out what to do with yet.
Apparently, everything needs a little vacation before finding its permanent home.
But I really want to stop using this space that way. I want to clear it out, reclaim the corner, and actually enjoy how it looks.
And I have a feeling I’m not alone in this particular household habit.
What’s your catch-all spot? Is it the kitchen counter? The entryway? Or is it that one chair that hasn’t actually been available for sitting in several months?
No judgment here. We all have one!
A Little Bedroom Refresh and a Clean Slate
There’s something satisfying about refreshing a bedroom.
Making the bed, putting the pillows back where they belong, changing out anything that’s looking a little tired, and giving the whole space a fresh start.
It’s amazing how much a few simple changes can affect the way a room feels.
I’m becoming a big fan of the clean slate. Removing things that are worn out, letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose, and making the space feel fresh again.
And let’s be honest, clean bedding is one of life’s little pleasures.
Fresh pillows, clean sheets, and a bedroom that doesn’t look like it’s been negotiating with the laundry basket all week.
I’ll take it!
I’m not looking for perfection. I just want our home to feel comfortable, functional, and enjoyable. And sometimes that starts with a few small changes.
Taking Down Halloween and Fall Decorations
We’re also getting ready to clear away the Halloween and fall decorations.
I love seasonal decorating, but there comes a point when it’s time to put everything away and start with a blank slate.
There’s something exciting about having a clean space before bringing out the next round of decorations. It gives you a chance to look at your rooms differently and decide what you actually want to put back.
I’m not going to pretend that taking down decorations is always my favorite activity. Decorating is fun. Putting everything back into storage is where the relationship gets complicated. 😂
But clearing away the old makes room for something new, and I’m looking forward to refreshing the house for the next season.
It’s another opportunity to declutter, rethink what we’re keeping, and make our spaces feel a little lighter.
Deep Cleaning and Decluttering: Why Little by Little Works
One of the biggest things I’m learning is that deep cleaning doesn’t have to be an enormous production.
I used to think about deep cleaning as something you scheduled for a particular time of year. You’d pick a weekend, pull everything out, clean every corner, and wonder why you thought this was a good idea in the first place.
Now I’m enjoying doing smaller projects more frequently.
A little decluttering here. A space refresh there. A drawer, a closet, a corner that’s been bothering me.
And the more I do, the easier it becomes.
When you have fewer things to work around, cleaning is simpler. When things have a designated place, putting them away becomes easier. And when you stop bringing unnecessary clutter back into your home, you don’t have to keep organizing the same things over and over.
It’s a rather revolutionary concept, really. Own less stuff, clean less stuff. Somebody should put that on a coffee mug!
The important thing is to find a rhythm that works for your home and your life.
Some days you’ll accomplish an entire project. Other days you’ll get halfway through one room and decide that’s enough for today.
Both count.
You Don’t Have to Finish Everything Today
This is something I really want to remind myself of, especially when I’m working through multiple projects.
We don’t have to finish everything in one day.
Sometimes starting is the biggest accomplishment. You clear a surface, remove a few things, get one area organized, and suddenly you have the motivation to keep going.
Other times, you start one project and discover three more projects hiding underneath it.
Surprise! Nobody ordered that.
I’m trying to enjoy the process instead of constantly measuring my progress by how much I’ve completed. The house is a work in progress, and that’s perfectly fine.
A clean home isn’t something you achieve once and then magically maintain forever. It’s an ongoing process, especially when you live in it, use it, cook in it, decorate it, and occasionally allow things to accumulate in places they have absolutely no business being.
The goal is to make it easier to manage, not to create another source of stress.
Let’s Talk About Your Household Catch-All!
I want to hear from you!
💬 POLL TIME!
We all have that ONE spot where everything seems to land. You know, the place where perfectly good household items go to disappear into the clutter abyss. 😂
What’s YOUR household catch-all?
🔪The kitchen counter. It’s basically the lost-and – found.
🚪 The entryway. Shoes, bags, mail, EVERYTHING.
🪑That one chair. You know the one. 😂
Tell me your emoji in the comments! I want to know I’m not the only one.
And while we’re at it, what’s one thing you’ve recently decluttered that you absolutely do not miss?
I’m always looking for new ways to make our homes easier to maintain, and sometimes the best ideas come from sharing what works in real life.
Here’s to less clutter, more breathing room, and a little more time to enjoy the spaces we’ve worked so hard to create.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few more projects waiting for me. Apparently, the house didn’t get the memo that we’re trying to simplify things.
One room at a time, friends. One room at a time! 💛
Shop Some of My Home & Lifestyle Favorites
Here are a few of the things featured in today’s home reset:
💻 Lap Desk
🎄 Christmas Garland Over the Bed
🛏 Pillows
🛒 Shop my Amazon Storefront:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/ritaslanina
***Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my content!***
Come Hang Out With Me!
If you enjoy cleaning motivation, deep cleaning and decluttering, cozy homemaking, home decorating, seasonal resets, cooking, backyard chickens, and everyday lifestyle adventures, come join me on YouTube!
Watch the latest video
Subscribe to my channel and join the family. I’d love to have you along for the next home reset!
💛 Rita
