The One Habit that has Helped My Home Stay Tidier

As a mom, I used to find myself overwhelmed by the mess that seemed to grow in my kitchen every day. Between snack time and dinner preparations, dishes piled up quickly, leading to a chaotic environment that made me feel like I was constantly fighting a losing battle. However, one small habit I adopted has significantly transformed my life: doing the dishes and running the dishwasher before bed every night.

After a long day of juggling after-school activities, mess from imaginative play, and family time, it's easy to let the dishes slide into the background. But I discovered that taking just a few minutes to wash the dishes before heading to bed turned my chaotic kitchen into a clean slate for the next day. It’s astonishing how the simple act of clearing the sink can lift some weight off my shoulders and set a positive tone for the next morning.

Another part of this routine that has worked wonders for me is emptying the dishwasher every morning after breakfast. Instead of letting clean dishes sit in the dishwasher, I take the time to put everything away, which keeps my kitchen looking tidy and organized because then I can fill the dishwasher as the day goes on instead of letting dishes pile up in the sink. The feeling of a clean kitchen first thing in the morning is refreshing; it makes the hustle and bustle of preparing for the day much more manageable.

Believe it or not, having this tidy space to work from allows me to feel more focused and less overwhelmed. I no longer dread entering the kitchen—a place that previously felt like the biggest source of mess and stress in the house!

Establishing these two simple routines has also led to domino effects on my overall homemaking. With a tidy kitchen, I am more apt to keep other areas of the house clean as well. It’s easier to maintain order when one corner of your home is already a peaceful sanctuary. Plus, my family appreciates the effort, and they’ve started to pitch in more around the house, turning cleaning into a shared responsibility.

In conclusion, in my ongoing journey from feeling like a messy mom to a happy homemaker, nothing magical has happened overnight. It takes dedication and small habit changes to make real progress. For me, committing to doing the dishes and running the dishwasher before bed, along with emptying the dishwasher every morning, has been a game changer. If you're looking to transform your home and reduce the stress that comes with clutter, consider starting with this simple routine. Trust me, it works wonders!