The Ripple Effect of Decluttering
Breathe Into The Week: Gentle Maintenance Before The Holidays
The holidays are coming. Your to-do list is growing. Let’s choose the kind path.
You do not need a big overhaul to feel better at home this week. Small, steady care will carry you. Ten minutes here. Ten minutes there. Progress over perfection.
I call this “making it work.” Not perfect. Not Pinterest. Just peaceful.
A short story for your heart
Last year I felt the holiday rush starting to swell. I wanted to do everything. I also wanted to crawl under a blanket. What helped was a simple rhythm. Morning reset. One tiny tidy. One tiny paperwork thing. One load moved forward. That was it.
By December my home felt lighter. I had more space for people I love. I even had space for a quiet cup of tea. Small steps work.
The Week-at-a-Glance Plan
Pick one tiny action in each area. Set a 10-minute timer. Stop when it rings.
Kitchen
Clear one counter. Wipe. Done.
Choose one drawer to tidy. Toss the extras.
Make a simple dinner plan for 3 nights.
Paperwork
Open today’s mail. Recycle what you can. Put the rest in an Action pile.
Pay one bill.
Put dates in your calendar for deliveries, events, or school things.
Laundry
Start one load before breakfast.
Fold for 10 minutes after dinner.
Put away only today’s clean clothes.
Floors + Surfaces
Grab a bag. Do a 10-item sweep in the living room.
Vacuum the main walkway.
Wipe the bathroom sink and mirror.
You
Drink a full glass of water.
Step outside for 60 seconds of fresh air.
Put your hand on your heart and breathe. Self-care is not selfish.
The 10-Minute Club Menu
When your brain says “I don’t have time,” pick one from this menu:
Empty the dishwasher.
Take out garbage and recycling.
Clear the entry table.
Match 10 pairs of socks.
Wipe the fridge handles and stove top.
Sort one stack of paper into three piles: Action, To File, Recycle.
Three tiny wins to aim for this week
A clear kitchen island you can prep on.
A living room seat with no pile beside it.
Your “Action” paper pile under one inch.
That is enough.
If you feel behind
You are not behind. You are human. Try this script:
“I can do one kind thing for my future self.”
“Ten minutes is enough today.”
“I finish what I start or I pause with love.”
Simple checklist
Morning reset done
One 10-minute tidy
One paperwork step
One load moved forward
Water and fresh air for me
Put this on the fridge. Check what you can. Celebrate the rest.
Why maintenance beats marathons
Big pushes are exciting. Maintenance is freedom. It keeps the wheels turning when life gets full. You do not need more willpower. You need a rhythm that fits your real life. Gentle steps. Clear priorities. Support when you need it.
That is how we make it work.
Julie
Next Step
Holiday pace can be gentle. Join Making It Work for simple maintenance.
Start here
P.S. Cozy gift idea. Creating Space with Julie. Order
