I had to simplify my cleaning.

Once I felt the breeze of fall started rolling in, I knew I needed a change.

The crisp air, the cozy sweaters, the scent of cinnamon in every store—this is my favorite time of year. But my house? Well, it didn’t reflect that cozy vibe at all.

It felt chaotic.

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Toys on the floor, laundry piling up, and football uniforms everywhere. I dreaded the thought of cleaning because it felt like it never ended. That’s when I knew something had to give. I needed to simplify cleaning.

I remember one night, scrolling on Facebook, overwhelmed by the mess around me.

My mind was spinning with all the tasks I had to tackle.

And that’s when it hit me—why am I making this harder than it needs to be? I didn’t need to clean the entire house from top to bottom every day to keep it tidy. I needed a plan, a system that would fit into my life as a busy mom and keep things manageable. So, I started small.

I realized this: trying to clean around clutter was my biggest mistake.

For years, I’d been scrubbing and dusting without getting rid of the stuff I didn’t need. So I made a pact with myself to simplify my cleaning.

Before I even thought about cleaning, I would declutter. I started in the kitchen, just one drawer, and got rid of the gadgets and utensils I never used.

It felt so good that I moved to the pantry next, then the hall closet. Slowly but surely, I tackled each room, and let me tell you—it made a world of difference. My home immediately felt lighter, and I hadn’t even cleaned yet! That was step one in simplifying my cleaning.

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The next game-changer for me?

Streamlining my cleaning supplies.

I used to have an entire cabinet full of bottles—one for glass, another for counters, another for floors, you name it. But I realized I didn’t need a different cleaner for every surface. I invested in an eco-friendly multi-purpose cleaner, and that simplified cleaning for me. I refuse to juggle 10 different bottles and wonder which one was for what.

Less clutter in the cabinets, less mental clutter when it came to cleaning.

Another little trick I picked up along the way to simplify my cleaning: I stopped trying to clean the whole house in one go.

Instead, I started setting a fun timer. Just 10 minutes. I told myself, “Whatever I can get done in 10 minutes is enough.” And it was!

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Some days I’d knock out the kitchen, other days just a couple of rooms, but it was enough to keep me from feeling overwhelmed. That tiny change shifted my entire mindset. Suddenly, cleaning wasn’t this big, scary, never-ending task. It was manageable. Simplified.

I adopted the phrase, “cleaning zones,” and, oh my goodness, it saved my sanity. Instead of trying to clean everything at once, I broke my house into zones—like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room—and dedicated certain days to each zone.

It made cleaning feel like less of a marathon and more of a steady pace that I could keep up with.

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It’s all about the mindset. I started lighting a candle before I cleaned, putting on a playlist, or even an audiobook. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about cleaning—it became this little moment of self-care.

I even started getting the kids involved, which made it feel less like I was doing everything on my own. My little’s love helping with dusting, it’s not perfect, but it’s fun. And it teaches them responsibility, too.

Looking back, the journey to simplify cleaning wasn’t just about having a clean house.

It was about permitting myself to let go of the perfectionism and the guilt.

I didn’t need to have everything spotless all the time. What I needed was a space that felt good to be in, without the constant stress of keeping up with the mess.

So if you’re like me—tired of feeling overwhelmed by the clutter and chaos—know that it doesn’t have to be that way.

You can simplify your cleaning routine, create a home that feels peaceful, and actually enjoy the process a little more. Let this fall be the season you find balance, embrace simplicity, and make your home the cozy retreat you deserve.

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Lots of love,