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Working moms are the unsung heroes of our time. If like me, you are a busy working mom, I hope you enjoy these best tips.
- Start with a time log - time logs are simple. They are a visual representation of how you normally use your time. Start with the time you wake up. Keep writing what you do until you reach the time you go to sleep. What do time logs have in common with decluttering? They will convince your brain that you have more time to declutter than you previously considered. Be sure to add your social media usage to your time log. If you can't seem to know when you're spending your screen time, go to the settings of your cell phone to find out.
- Write down each area you want to declutter - This is a wish list. Imagine your home completely organized. Now think of your home as it is now. Which areas need to be decluttered? For the longest time, my closet was an area that needed decluttering. My husband and I were sharing it and somehow, our closet was also doubling as storage. My linen closet is often an area that needs decluttering. Recently, I wrote down that I wanted to declutter our holiday storage area. I thought about organizing that area. It didn't really happen until I wrote it down on a list. I was very excited to finish that project today. I'm not sure if there's magic in writing things down. What I do know is that time and time again, if I write it down, it happens.
- Define clear wins - It is important to define what is a win for you and your family. Having a decluttered shared closet was a win for us. A decluttered linen closet is a win because any time we have overnight guests, it takes no time to prepare our guest bedroom. What is a clear win for you?
- Use your schedule - The next step is to look at your schedule, whether paper or digital and find a time to conduct your decluttering. Each week is so different for working moms. Sure, we work full-time, part-time, all of the time. We work from home or at the office. Our families have demanding schedules, especially at the end of the school year. It is wise to look at what the week hold and discover a good time to declutter. Some working moms have a long commute, others a short one. Decluttering happens when you are at home. Use your best judgment of when a good time is to start working on your chosen areas.
- Know when and how to stop - Starting can be easier than knowing when and how to stop. I learned to use a cue to stop. I also have three well-established areas to dispose of the items being decluttered: donation, trash, and replacement. Knowing when and how to stop is helpful because you don't want to end up with a room looking worse than when you started. You also want your work time to be productive, no matter how little or how much you spend decluttering.
- Enjoy the fruit of your labor - When was the last time you sat down and enjoyed the fruit of your labor? Working moms give so much of themselves that it can be challenging to enjoy a well-done job. Find a small way to give yourself a pat on the back. Drink a warm cup of tea. Do something small to celebrate your victory.
These tips are for you. I hope they help you as much as they have helped me.
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