Mess free (HA)! Who are we kidding? There will always be mess. Mess is universal, all-encompassing, and eternal — it will outlive us all. Now, you all know that I’ve embraced mess, in a way. At the same time, my anxiety is often triggered when I feel buried in it (especially in our living room). So, I’m always looking for ways to manage the mess in our life without becoming obsessed with it. It can be a hellish task with five kids and a houseful of pets – but there are a few ways that I’ve found to help curb the chaos – think of it as a messy mom’s guide to a mess free (almost) living space.
The living room is defined (in my own words), as a room within a home wherein a lot of living happens. What does “living” look like in our house? Well, imagine loading a merry-go-round with a boatload of kids clutching bags of popcorn and cups filled to the brim with chocolate milk. Add in a few bins of legos, random game pieces, and unidentifiable…goods. Then, spin that sucker as fast as you can and observe the laws of physics in action. Yep. That’s about it.
Anyway. It can be overwhelming – and it often is overwhelming. I’ve learned to let go of the idea of perfection and move towards realistic management. Let’s be honest – perfection isn’t real – throw that idea out the window and let’s do this thing!
Messy Mom’s Two Minute Daily Habits
Some folks out there might be able to deep clean their living room on the daily – but I’m not “some folks.” Would I love to be able to do that? I mean, sure, I guess (also, not really). But the reality is that life happens, life is busy, and life can be demanding. So, when it comes to keeping our living spaces comfortably livable, it’s important to create simple, doable daily habits.
When I talk about a two minute habit, I mean that it should take no more than two minutes of your time. For our living room, a quick pick-up is number one on the list. Toys, pillows, trash, etc. Take two minutes to pick up. Have kids? Involve them. Make it a game – put a two minute timer on and go!
My second two minute habit for our living room is a quick wipe-up. Personally, I keep a package of wet wipes in our console drawer. At the end of the day, I pull out a wipe and quickly wipe down the coffee table, console, and sofa table. Fast, easy, and makes the room instantly feel a little more fresh. That’s it – just two daily habits that help me keep the chaos under control.
Messy Mom’s tips for a clean(er) living space
Daily, two minute habits make a difference in keeping your head above the water – but I’ve also discovered a few ways to make a long-term difference in keeping up with the mess.
Number one – make it washable. I’m talking slipcovers, pillow covers, and throw blankets. Life becomes a little bit easier when you can toss it in the wash and walk away. Over the years, I’ve used several brands of slipcovers. This past year, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Comfort Works slip covers. I’ve shared a few of their covers before – but the best thing about them is how easy they are to keep clean (even with our sticky-fingered crew).
I don’t feel like I have to wash all of the covers often. So I generally try to pull them once a month. Otherwise, quick spot cleans work. When I wash the covers, I use it as an opportunity for a deeper clean. Vacuuming under the couch and beneath cushions and going over surfaces with a Swiffer duster. We have a Pottery Barn sectional in three sections and it makes it easy for me to pull one section of covers off at a time, toss in the wash on a gentle cycle, and plop in the dryer. I’ll toss in any pillow covers or throws that look like they could use a refresh (because odds are, there will be something sticky).
Comfort Works covers wash and hold up well to our crew (I’ve had others fall apart on us) and are easy to remove and re-cover. Furniture and pillow covers can really aid in keeping your space feeling clean(er) just by knowing you’re one quick wash away whenever faced with a mess.
It’s all about the habit
There are times when my anxiety can leave me almost frozen – overwhelmed to the point that I feel buried and unable to accomplish anything. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve found my daily two minute routines to be a little bit like a life-saver. From there, I’ve grown to adopt small, weekly habits that leave me feeling less stressed and more accomplished (especially during high-anxiety waves). This messy mom’s guide to a mess free (almost) living room may not be a great fit for everyone – but I encourage you to create your own. Healthy habits turn into routines and routines turn into a lifestyle. Start small and feel better for it, friends. Cheers to making life a little less messy – peace, love, & light (after coffee).
See more about my Comfort Works covers, here!
