7 things at home that got me from mess to success
Okay, let’s be real. Having a home that is tidy used to last 30 seconds. Getting ready made my room look like a tornado had hit it, a counter that doubled as a graveyard for old receipts and hair ties, and I’m pretty sure my bathroom counter was the breeding ground for miscellaneous products. But hey, no judgment – we’ve all been there.
But then, something magical happened. I discovered a few simple life hacks that slowly (and I mean slooowly) turned my chaos into something resembling organisation. And now? Peace. So, if you’re tired of digging through piles of clothes and rummaging through your makeup bag like it’s a treasure chest, here are seven things that helped me go from a hot mess to a success. Let’s get into it!
1. Drop Zones: A.k.a. My Personal “Landing Pad”
You know that moment when you come home, and you throw your bag, jacket, and shoes in a random spot, and then somehow—somehow—it turns into a full-on pile? Yeah, I used to do that. Every. Single. Day.
But then, I realised the power of the “drop zone.” You know, a designated spot by the door where you can gently land your stuff. It’s like a launch pad for all the chaos you bring in. It doesn’t sound glamorous, but trust me, it works! Having a place where my bag, shoes, and keys go every single time has meant no more hunting for my keys or frantically searching for my jacket when I’m running late. Seriously - life changing.
2. Donation Bin: Embrace the Purge
Confession time: I used to hoard clothes. Especially when it came to my daughter's things. But even for me - going out dresses I wore when I was 18? I finally let them all go on the lead up to my 30th birthday. It was time to face facts.. I was NEVER going to wear them again. Sound familiar?
I tried the whole ‘sell it’ thing but for me - this was a job in itself so I started pulling everything out that I was never going to wear anymore and they went into donation bags and taken to the clothes recycling centre. 8 bags full may I add. Now that the big purge was done, I could be more real with myself. Anything I took out that I didn't like anymore or didn't fit, it went into a donation bag that lives in the bottom of my wardrobe.It gets filed then I take it away —boom—instant closet clarity. Not only did I free up space, but I also felt like I was helping someone else. Win-win! It’s just a system now. When I pull something out for my daughter and it no longer fits, straight in the donation bag or in the box in her room of things I’m going to keep (who knows what the future holds).
3. Setting Out Clothes for the Week Ahead (Goodbye, Closet Drama)
Let’s talk about mornings. Specifically, the kind of mornings where you’re staring at your wardrobe like it’s an existential crisis. “What should I wear? Ugh, nothing fits. Wait, where is that top?.. In the wash basket?” It’s an all-too-familiar scene.
But I finally got smart and started setting out my clothes for the entire week on Sunday nights. Yep, every. single. outfit. For both me and my daughter. It sounds like a lot of work, but trust me, it makes the mornings so much easier. No more last-minute panic. No more being late because I couldn’t find a particular thing. Just me and my pre-planned wardrobe, strolling through the week like I’ve got it all together.
4. Daily Grab Makeup Bag (No More Makeup Meltdown)
If you’ve ever dug through your makeup bag looking for that one lip gloss, only to find a hundred different shades of red that all look identical, you get me. My makeup routine was a battlefield. I had products I never used, duplicates of things I forgot I had, and old mascara wands dried up, tried then thrown back in the bag? Why did I do this? It didn’t have to be this hard.
So, I made a decision: I started using a small “grab” makeup bag with only the essentials. Just the things I actually use every day. Everything else got categorised and put away in acrylic drawers to use when I’m feeling fancy. No more rummaging through things i don’t use each day just to put my Monday-Friday face on. No more overstuffed makeup bag. Just efficiency and a sense of calm when I’m getting ready. It’s the little things, people. Let’s make life easier.
5. Decluttering My Phone (Because… Why Not?)
Okay, let’s be honest: your phone can become just as chaotic as your closet. Apps you never use, photos that are basically just blurry selfies from two years ago, and 73 email threads you haven’t looked at since 2021.
So I started deleting. Yes, deleting! Photos that didn’t serve me anymore? Gone. Unused apps? Bye bye. Group chats that bring nothing but confusion? Gone, gone, gone. Now, my phone feels lighter, I feel lighter, and I can find the important stuff way faster. I don’t know about you but I love a printed photo. Get a photo app to print your pics and create albums of all your favourite pics and get them deleted off your phone. One bit at a time, there is no rush. Why not set aside 15 mins a day to tackle it? You can do it.
6. A load a day keeps the washing at Bay
Look, laundry is one of those never-ending tasks that can spiral out of control real fast. One minute you’re like, "Oh, I’ll just do a quick load," and the next, your laundry basket is threatening to take over your entire bedroom. But here’s the hack that saved my sanity: a load of washing every single day.
I know, I know, it sounds like a lot. But hear me out. I started doing one load a day—just a small, manageable load—and it changed everything. No more mountains of laundry waiting for me on the weekend. One load is so manageable. Its only folding and putting away a few things. Nice & easy! Your laundry is always up to date. The best part? Everything you own is washed by Sunday night for me to choose my clothes for the week ahead. You don’t need to spend your entire Saturday in the laundry room. You can just toss in a load each morning and thing nothing of it. Total game changer.
7. Speed Tidy-Ups While Dinner’s in the Air Fryer (Multitasking Mastery)
Ah, the beauty of the air fryer – quick, easy, and somehow, it makes dinner feel like you’re almost a professional chef. But what do we do while dinner’s cooking? Well, gamefy it! Have a race with your air fryer. I’m all about those “speed tidy-ups.” You’ve got a solid 15-20 minutes to kill while your food is air-frying, so why not use it to whip your space into shape?
I started setting a timer and tackling a small, manageable area – like putting away dishes in the sink, clearing off the kitchen counter, or tossing that pile of random mail that somehow always ends up on the table. It’s literally like sneaky cleaning. And by the time dinner's ready, the house is cleaner, and I feel like a domestic goddess... all while barely lifting a finger. Honestly, I’m just here for any productivity trick that involves minimal effort and maximum results. Bonus points if I can do it while binging my latest podcast obsession.
And there you have it: my seven secret weapons that helped me transform from a full-fledged mess to a woman who can keep her sanity in a tidy home. If you're reading this, take a breath. You can do this too. A little bit of prep, a little bit of organisation, and suddenly you're the boss of your own life. It’s the small wins that add up, people!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a donation bin to empty. 😊