10 Minutes to a Clutter-Free Morning

by Joshua on October 20, 2010

The following post is from Joshua of Becoming Minimalist:

source: Michael Prince/CORBIS

Let’s face it. Mornings can be tough. In many homes, they are famous for containing too much to do and too little time.

But mornings set the mood for the rest of our day. They have the potential to energize us or drain us. They have the potential to lift our spirits or drag us down. They can start us on the right foot or the wrong foot.

Given the fact that mornings are so important, it’s wise to spend a few minutes each night preparing your house for tomorrow’s sunrise. After all, a clutter-free house in the morning means less stress, less anxiety, and less time getting prepared for the day. And that benefits everyone in the family!

Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t need to spend hours each night cleaning the house to accomplish a clutter-free morning. Instead, simply stay ahead of the clutter by tackling these ten 60-second decluttering projects every night.

1. Return shoes/coats to closets.

In the winter, add gloves, hats, and scarves to the routine.

2. Recycle junk mail and newspapers.

A new day brings new mail and new news. Keep your table or counter space clutter-free in the morning by removing today’s.

3. Put away articles of clothing.

Some go in the laundry. Some go back in the closet. But none should be left on the floor.

4. Store media out of sight.

Put back all dvd’s, cd’s, video games, and remote controls that were used during the day. The first time you walk into that room tomorrow, you’ll be glad you did.

5. Process coins and receipts.

I’m sure it was your husband who left the contents of his pockets on your dresser, but either way, it’ll take you only 60 seconds to put those items where they actually belong.

6. Clear all bathroom surfaces.

The first place you’ll go in the morning is the bathroom. It’s also a surprisingly easy room to keep clutter free. Invest the 60 seconds every night to make it happen.

7. Clean-up homework.

Get your kids into the habit of putting away their schoolwork each night before bed rather than scrambling around each morning to find it.

8. Put kitchen items away.

Granted, I’m assuming you’ve done some cleaning up already after dinner. And if you have, it’ll only take you another 60 seconds to tidy up anything that got left out.

9. Put back toys.

Realistically, life doesn’t allow a clean toy room every evening. But if you have a toy room apart from your living room, spend 60 seconds returning toys to the room where they belong. Or better yet, get your kids into the practice of doing it themselves. And if you figure how to do that, send me an email…

10. File paperwork.

Stay on top of paper and office clutter by handling it the day it arrives.

If you are not in the habit of doing these things, it’ll definitely take longer than 10 minutes the first time. But once you get a handle on each area, the entire project will take you less than 10 minutes… and your morning you will thank you!

What 60-second projects do you recommend to help promote a clutter-free morning?

Joshua Becker inspires and encourages others to live with less on his blog, Becoming Minimalist. He has also authored two e-books, Simplify and Inside-Out Simplicity. But more importantly, he loves his wife and two small children.

http://twitter.com/peterbryenton Peter Bryenton

Tidying toys: kids earn points. Wallchart tallies points. Kids redeem points at weekend for treats.

Anonymous

Great system!

http://twitter.com/peterbryenton Peter Bryenton

Tidying toys: kids earn points. Wallchart tallies points. Kids redeem points at weekend for treats.

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

Great system!

http://www.se7en.org.za Se7en

Oh I totally agree you gotta clean up everything the night before or the morning is not worth living. No amount of latte or blocks of chocolate can pick up a day that starts by cleaning up from yesterday. As for kids picking up toys… we have definite toy zones and non-toy zones. And my kids pick up everything before every meal… that way it is never too much mess and too out of hand. I know they could continue with what they were playing after a meal but inevitably they don’t and they seem to play better if they start fresh… How do I get them to do it? Well its all about food!!! Tidy up and we eat, don’t tidy and we don’t eat. I only had to do it once about five years ago and even the kids that weren’t yet born know about it!!!

Anonymous

Love it! That’s pretty much our policy, too!

http://www.se7en.org.za Se7en

Oh I totally agree you gotta clean up everything the night before or the morning is not worth living. No amount of latte or blocks of chocolate can pick up a day that starts by cleaning up from yesterday. As for kids picking up toys… we have definite toy zones and non-toy zones. And my kids pick up everything before every meal… that way it is never too much mess and too out of hand. I know they could continue with what they were playing after a meal but inevitably they don’t and they seem to play better if they start fresh… How do I get them to do it? Well its all about food!!! Tidy up and we eat, don’t tidy and we don’t eat. I only had to do it once about five years ago and even the kids that weren’t yet born know about it!!!

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

Love it! That’s pretty much our policy, too!

http://dani-inprogress.blogspot.com/ Dksommerfeld

This is a great post. Most of these things I’ve tried to get into the habit of doing when I get home from work and then there is barely anything to do before bedtime!

It might be a bit opposite of this post, but I like to set things out the night before to make my morning routine go smoother and a bit more quickly. My husband and I prepare our lunches for the next day before bed, and usually even have them all bagged up in the fridge so all we have to do is grab and go in the morning. We get the coffee pot ready and set the timer, I even get my bowl of cereal poured our and on the counter so all I need is milk and a eat! I also set out things that I will need in the morning for getting ready, always my make up and depending on the day a hair dryer or straightener along with having my clothes picked out all the way down to undies and accessories. This all makes for a better morning around our place, but maybe not necessarily a clutter-free morning….

http://twitter.com/joshua_becker Joshua Becker

sounds like a well-thought out plan. i’d cook my egg the night before but i don’t think it would work quite as well.

http://dani-inprogress.blogspot.com/ Dksommerfeld

This is a great post. Most of these things I’ve tried to get into the habit of doing when I get home from work and then there is barely anything to do before bedtime!

It might be a bit opposite of this post, but I like to set things out the night before to make my morning routine go smoother and a bit more quickly. My husband and I prepare our lunches for the next day before bed, and usually even have them all bagged up in the fridge so all we have to do is grab and go in the morning. We get the coffee pot ready and set the timer, I even get my bowl of cereal poured our and on the counter so all I need is milk and a eat! I also set out things that I will need in the morning for getting ready, always my make up and depending on the day a hair dryer or straightener along with having my clothes picked out all the way down to undies and accessories. This all makes for a better morning around our place, but maybe not necessarily a clutter-free morning….

http://twitter.com/joshua_becker Joshua Becker

sounds like a well-thought out plan. i’d cook my egg the night before but i don’t think it would work quite as well.

http://adventure-some.com Adventure-Some Matthew

I make it a point to at least know what I need to gather the next morning. Ideally, I will get things ready for the next day: books and paperwork gathered and ready to go, todo list made out, etc.
http://adventure-some.com Adventure-Some Matthew

I make it a point to at least know what I need to gather the next morning. Ideally, I will get things ready for the next day: books and paperwork gathered and ready to go, todo list made out, etc.
http://twitter.com/familyquilter Michelle Dickens

Thanks for all the tips! I have a licensed in-home preschool, so keeping the house tidy is a must. I also have a family of five, so cleaning up after them is one of my “chores”. I have really found that cleaning the house out from the clutter makes my job so much easier. I have less and less to actually put away. When I do have something to put away, there is a proper place and real space, not just cramming it all in. I have also found that digitizing all of our paperwork has been a blessing. Whenever a new bill arrives, I just run it through the scanner and put the hardcopy in the shredder. One last thing, as a preschool teacher I have also cleared out the clutter in the playroom. My clients and their children really enjoy a new theme in the room every two weeks and we rotate out our toys. Less mess and a real treat every time I rotate in/out new toys!
http://twitter.com/familyquilter Michelle Dickens

Thanks for all the tips! I have a licensed in-home preschool, so keeping the house tidy is a must. I also have a family of five, so cleaning up after them is one of my “chores”. I have really found that cleaning the house out from the clutter makes my job so much easier. I have less and less to actually put away. When I do have something to put away, there is a proper place and real space, not just cramming it all in. I have also found that digitizing all of our paperwork has been a blessing. Whenever a new bill arrives, I just run it through the scanner and put the hardcopy in the shredder. One last thing, as a preschool teacher I have also cleared out the clutter in the playroom. My clients and their children really enjoy a new theme in the room every two weeks and we rotate out our toys. Less mess and a real treat every time I rotate in/out new toys!
Amy

Get tomorrow’s coffee ready to go in your programmable coffee maker. I love wkaing up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

This one isn’t 60 seconds, but we make our lunches the night before. One less thing to worry about and it removes the temptation to just eat out.
Amy

Get tomorrow’s coffee ready to go in your programmable coffee maker. I love wkaing up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

This one isn’t 60 seconds, but we make our lunches the night before. One less thing to worry about and it removes the temptation to just eat out.
http://twitter.com/themomwrites prerna

Completely agree with you on this Joshua. I work early in the morning and coming to a clutter-free desk is one of my favorites and so is making my morning cuppa in a kitchen with a clean sink and countertops. So, yeah, I do spend more than a minute but it does make my mornings clutter-free:-)
http://twitter.com/themomwrites prerna

Completely agree with you on this Joshua. I work early in the morning and coming to a clutter-free desk is one of my favorites and so is making my morning cuppa in a kitchen with a clean sink and countertops. So, yeah, I do spend more than a minute but it does make my mornings clutter-free:-)
http://twitter.com/themomwrites prerna

Completely agree with you on this Joshua. I work early in the morning and coming to a clutter-free desk is one of my favorites and so is making my morning cuppa in a kitchen with a clean sink and countertops. So, yeah, I do spend more than a minute but it does make my mornings clutter-free:-)
http://twitter.com/sillyeaglebooks Silly Eagle Books

Love this, amanda.
Poppy01

I found your article thought provoking. Its too easy to get in a rut focusing on work, household chores, activities and miss spending time with my kids teaching, enjoying etc the kids. This article refocused where Im at/ Ta
Amy Lynne

Such a beautiful story! I keep reminding myself to enjoy every moment with my boys!
Jill Foley

I like to wake up to a kitchen that doesn’t have work waiting for me. Ideally I wash all dishes right after dinner so they are dry and ready to put away before bed (including dishwasher). I also get my coffee ready so all I have to do is push a button, and I like to set my Bible and study out on the table…ready and waiting for me.

Another thing I find myself doing is sneaking into my kid’s room to put away the books they read before falling asleep. I want them to wake up in a clean, tidy room.

We also homeschool and I need a couple minutes to organize the work that needs to be done the next day.

Great post!
Jill Foley

I like to wake up to a kitchen that doesn’t have work waiting for me. Ideally I wash all dishes right after dinner so they are dry and ready to put away before bed (including dishwasher). I also get my coffee ready so all I have to do is push a button, and I like to set my Bible and study out on the table…ready and waiting for me.

Another thing I find myself doing is sneaking into my kid’s room to put away the books they read before falling asleep. I want them to wake up in a clean, tidy room.

We also homeschool and I need a couple minutes to organize the work that needs to be done the next day.

Great post!
Pingback: 7 Bloggers I Would Like to Publicly Thank | Becoming Minimalist
http://twitter.com/sunnygirlsf sunny girlsf

Great ideas – I am going to try this for a quicker, neater morning.

I read somewhere that cleaning up from today’s messes and projects is only fair to tomorrow’s you. Why should the Tomorrow You clean up what Today’s You could have taken care of?

(Hopefully you get the gist of what I’m trying to say!)
http://twitter.com/sunnygirlsf sunny girlsf

Great ideas – I am going to try this for a quicker, neater morning.

I read somewhere that cleaning up from today’s messes and projects is only fair to tomorrow’s you. Why should the Tomorrow You clean up what Today’s You could have taken care of?

(Hopefully you get the gist of what I’m trying to say!)
http://twitter.com/sunnygirlsf sunny girlsf

Great ideas – I am going to try this for a quicker, neater morning.

I read somewhere that cleaning up from today’s messes and projects is only fair to tomorrow’s you. Why should the Tomorrow You clean up what Today’s You could have taken care of?

(Hopefully you get the gist of what I’m trying to say!)
http://www.abercrombieukstore.com abercrombie

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http://www.abercrombieukstore.com abercrombie

Great Article .This is a nice topic.i think it is really a nice sharing.
amy

I’d have to say that if you weren’t raised with healthy money habits (I wasn’t but am working on it); acquiring some of that debt might be unavoidable, but it is NOT a good thing.
I grew up with lots of expensive vacations and trips to Europe that I thought were necessary to be a well-rounded person. Now my father, in his seventies, still works out of necessity. They still have mortgage payments on a house they built in 1963. My (great) uncle was a coal miner and his family never took a vacation, grew much of their own produce, and saved. He buys a new car (cash) every two years and literally has millions in the bank.
I’m trying to find the middle ground where we can enjoy the occasional fruits of our hard work, but reject the extraneous trapping of our indentured culture.

Anonymous

Wow, what extremes those are! A shame that your dad still has debt on a house built in 1963.
I was working in the mortgage industry just before the crash. I was just learning the ropes, but was amazed at how many people continually refinanced or increase their line of credit. They were doing this many times to just increase their level of living. To take vacations, or put in a pool, or buy new *toys*. I know that not everyone was in that boat, but its little wonder that so many people lost their homes because they had borrowed 100%+ of what it was worth at the peak.
Good luck in achieving that middle ground. Yes, we should enjoy the fruits of our hard work, but only if we can pay for it.
Bernice
Life… your way moderator
My latest post-Getting the respect you deserve
Anonymous

Wow, what extremes those are! A shame that your dad still has debt on a house built in 1963.
I was working in the mortgage industry just before the crash. I was just learning the ropes, but was amazed at how many people continually refinanced or increase their line of credit. They were doing this many times to just increase their level of living. To take vacations, or put in a pool, or buy new *toys*. I know that not everyone was in that boat, but its little wonder that so many people lost their homes because they had borrowed 100%+ of what it was worth at the peak.
Good luck in achieving that middle ground. Yes, we should enjoy the fruits of our hard work, but only if we can pay for it.
Bernice
Life… your way moderator
My latest post-Getting the respect you deserve

Anonymous

Debt has crushed us. Yes, I think all debt is bad. Sometimes it may be unavoidable, but that doesn’t negate the “bad”ness. We did everything stupid we could with money except invest in a time share.

I do understand mortgages, but I think they should be treated like an unwanted guest that you want to get out of your house as quickly as possible.

If I were pushed, I would consider taking on a small debt to see a dying family member (but I would ask my church for help from their benevolence fund first). And I would incur whatever medical debt necessary to save my husband or my children. Still doesn’t make debt “good,” more like a necessary evil.

The problem is that too many people want things NOW rather than waiting until they’ve saved for it. We did and we are paying a dear price for it. We are learning the satisfaction of making do and waiting for God. Still very much a work in progress for us, but we are learning.

Anonymous

Mindy,
I understand where Mandi is coming from in her post. I think there may be very specific times a short term debt may be necessary. But as you know from first hand experience (and me too) debt and the *want* for stuff can take hold of a person. i would say for the most part, stay away from it.
Bernice
Life… your way moderator
My latest post-Getting the respect you deserve

Anonymous

In reply to Lpf and others about student loans:
It used to be that student loans were, for the most part, considered *good debt*. The problem now is that the job market is flooded with people with 4 year business degrees who can’t get jobs. They have 10s of thousands of student loans. I remember interviewing people for mortgages who were working a job as a customer service rep making 30K with 50K in student loans. And that was BEFORE the crash of the market.
I do agree that education is important and obviously, some licensed types of careers will require degrees and student loans. I think people are panicking about not being able to get a job so they are going back to school to some of the *private* schools some online, some with a campus. There is a school in my area that teaches all types of medical technician skills, such as medical assisting, phlebotomy, etc, to the tune of 20K of loans for a year program! In our state, we have a lottery funded program that would allow them to attend a state school and get the same certification for FREE. People aren’t doing their research!
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now!
Bernice
Life… your way moderator
My latest post-Getting the respect you deserve
Anonymous

In reply to Lpf and others about student loans:
It used to be that student loans were, for the most part, considered *good debt*. The problem now is that the job market is flooded with people with 4 year business degrees who can’t get jobs. They have 10s of thousands of student loans. I remember interviewing people for mortgages who were working a job as a customer service rep making 30K with 50K in student loans. And that was BEFORE the crash of the market.
I do agree that education is important and obviously, some licensed types of careers will require degrees and student loans. I think people are panicking about not being able to get a job so they are going back to school to some of the *private* schools some online, some with a campus. There is a school in my area that teaches all types of medical technician skills, such as medical assisting, phlebotomy, etc, to the tune of 20K of loans for a year program! In our state, we have a lottery funded program that would allow them to attend a state school and get the same certification for FREE. People aren’t doing their research!
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now!
Bernice
Life… your way moderator
My latest post-Getting the respect you deserve
http://theshubox.com sarah (the SHU box)

i think debt with a finite endpoint is okay, as long as there’s a plan in place to keep it a temporary stopgap measure. my husband and i went into modest credit card debt as we were finishing med school, going on interviews, etc – knowing that we would be making a halfway decent paycheck in the near future and could pay it back (and we did – and no debt since, so far!).
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http://alma376.blogspot.com Erin

Great ideas! Thanks, James!

http://twitter.com/james_brooks James Brooks

No problem! Happy blogging over Christmas (or not!)

Jimmie

I’m just going to stop with #1. I’m taking a blogging break.

http://twitter.com/james_brooks James Brooks

Good! Enjoy it! Merry Christmas!

http://www.momdropbox.com Audrey

I like the idea of scheduling. I appreciate consistency from blogs that I read, so I try to be consistent on my blog.
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