Grab a free organization checklist to keep you on track when you feel overwhelmed!
We’re at Day 25 of decluttering and organizing, and if you’re anything like me, you still see a mountain of things that need attention. That’s normal. Decluttering an entire home is rarely finished in a single month unless you’ve already been steadily working at it for some time.
Sometimes it feels like for every drawer I clear, two more spots reveal themselves—old baby clothes tumble out of a closet, stacks of papers reappear, or a box of toys resurfaces. In those moments it’s tempting to give up, shove everything back where it came from, and pretend the problem is solved. But that only postpones the progress and the peace you’re trying to create.
Welcome to Day 25 of the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge. We’re using these days to make steady progress: decluttering, reorganizing, and breathing easier in a home that actually works for us. If you’re joining in now, you may want to start at the beginning so you can follow along from Day 1. Affiliate links used for your convenience.
One helpful shift I learned from The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up is to treat decluttering as a long-term project. The recommendation there is realistic: give yourself months—not days—to fully sort, edit, and organize every area. This is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.
When overwhelm hits, my go-to tool is a simple list. A checklist turns vague anxiety into clear tasks. It shows what’s left, what’s done, and gives you small wins that add up fast.
I created a comprehensive organizing checklist listing the main areas and categories you’ll likely need to tackle: clothing, shoes, linens, toys, children’s items, paperwork, mail, kitchen gadgets, pantry, cosmetics, medicine, seasonal items, tools, hobby supplies, sentimental items, and garage or storage spaces. You can add any household-specific items, but covering these major categories will move the needle significantly.
How to use the checklist effectively:
- Write your personal “why” at the top. Reminding yourself of the reason you’re decluttering—more time, less stress, safer spaces for kids, easier cleaning—will help when you feel like quitting.
- Work in short bursts. Set a 20–45 minute timer, focus on one category or drawer, then stop. Small, consistent sessions are easier to maintain than marathon cleanings.
- Sort into clear piles: keep, donate/sell, recycle, and trash. Be decisive—ask whether you use it, love it, or need it.
- Start with visible problem areas for immediate impact (entryway, kitchen counters, toy bins) and then move to less obvious clutter like sentimental boxes or storage closets.
- Record time estimates next to checklist items so you can plan a free afternoon or a series of weekday 30-minute sessions.
Print the checklist and place it in your Home Organization Binder. Keep it where you’ll see it—on the fridge, in a planner, or inside a drawer that holds organizing supplies. Each time you check a box you’ll feel momentum and the clutter will lose its power.
TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ORGANIZING CHECKLIST!
The practical work: Print your checklist, mark off completed tasks, and celebrate progress. Even small wins—clearing a drawer, sorting a bin of keepsakes, or donating a bag of clothes—make a real difference.
A few quick maintenance tips to keep clutter from returning: put things back immediately after use, designate a donation box and empty it regularly, schedule short weekly tidy sessions, and revisit your checklist each month to address new or persistent problem areas.
Remember Day 1 when we defined our “why.” Keep that reason visible on your checklist. When the process feels hard, your why will motivate you to keep going. This is a gradual, achievable path to a home that supports your life and preserves your sanity.
In the mess with you, Laura