(A gentle home reset for overwhelmed moms)
If your home feels like too much right now, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too—standing in the middle of my kitchen, kids playing (and fighting) around me, dishes piled up, laundry waiting, and my brain spinning with everything I shouldbe doing.
When my home feels like too much, I know it’s time for a quick home reset—not a full clean, not a massive project—just a few simple steps to help me breathe again and bring peace back into our space.
This post is all about a home reset.
Parts of this post were drafted with the help of AI, then reviewed, updated, and edited by me to reflect my personal experience and voice. I always aim to share real-life content that’s helpful, honest, and rooted in my day-to-day rhythms.
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through my links. I only share products I use and love in my own home.
Articles You May Enjoy:
- My 5-Minute Ground-Up House Reset Routine (Laundry First!)
- How to Reset Your Home When It Feels Like Too Much
- The Toys My Kids Actually Play With (And Why Less Is More)
- How to Keep a Clean House with Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
- Quick 10-Minute Daily Cleaning Schedule For Busy Moms
Step 1: Start with a Quick Reset of Your Main Floor
When everything feels chaotic, I always begin with my main floor home reset. This is the heart of our home—our living room, dining area, and kitchen. When these spaces feel cluttered and chaotic, I often feel the same.
The first thing I do is turn on some uplifting music. Right now, I’m loving the Today’s Christian station on Apple Music. Then I start my one load of laundry for the day. I just pick the basket that’s the fullest and throw it in the washer.
We keep multiple baskets and sort our clothes as we go, so I don’t have to take the extra step of sorting before I can start a load. It’s one of those small systems that makes a big difference when life already feels overwhelming.
Step 2: Do a Brain Dump to Clear Mental Clutter
Once that laundry is going, I grab my whiteboard and do a quick brain dump. I write down everything circling in my head—all the thoughts, to-dos, and worries.
This helps me clear the mental clutter and stop repeating the same thoughts over and over so I don’t forget them. Once it’s on paper (or the board), I can rest knowing I won’t lose it.
This step might seem small, but it’s often what helps me shift from spinning to steady.
Step 3: Tidy the Main Spaces in Layers
After my brain feels calmer, I move on to a quick tidy-up of our main living spaces.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Grab a laundry basket and toss in everything that doesn’t belong in the living room, kitchen, or dining area.
- Start with the floors—pick up toys and anything that’s out of place.
- Move up a level: tidy the couch, chairs, and benches. Fluff pillows, fold blankets.
- Then move to the tabletops and kitchen counters. Clear them off, wipe them down, and put things away.
- Load the dishwasher if needed and put away any clean dishes on the drying mat.
- Do a quick vacuum.
Then, before you call it done—don’t forget the “basket of random things.” This is the moment to put them away where they belong. Resist the urge to think you’ll do it later—if you’re anything like me, that basket will end up sitting on the washer and forgotten about!
This whole main floor reset rarely takes longer than 15 minutes, but it’s amazing how much calmer and lighter I feel afterward. It’s my go-to simple homemaking rhythm when things feel heavy.
Step 4: Use a Quick Reset Method
My Quick Reset Method is exactly what I described above. I turn on some music, set a timer for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, and tidy the space I’m focusing on.
If it’s taking me longer than 15 minutes to tidy one area, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to declutter. When there’s too much stuff in a space, it keeps getting shuffled around instead of being used and enjoyed.
Step 5: Reset Your Mindset
This one can be hard. I’ve struggled for a long time with self-doubt and the feeling that I can’t keep up. But what helps me the most is remembering why I’m doing this.
I love my family deeply, and part of that love is creating a peaceful home for them—a place where we can rest from the world around us.
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself:
“Just 5 minutes. Let’s just try for 5 minutes.”
Breaking my home into small chunks makes it feel less like a mountain and more like a gentle rhythm.
Step 6: Define What “Reset” Means to You
Right now, I define a reset as visual peace and a calm feeling.
There are studies that show women’s brains perceive visual clutter—especially on the floor—as a physical threat. It actually increases our stress and anxiety.
When I learned that, it really clicked for me. I need my home to be as peaceful and stress-free as possible, especially because homeschooling and motherhood already stretch me every day. The more calm and orderly my environment feels, the more peace I feel inside too.
Step 7: Encourage Yourself to Start Small
If your home feels overwhelming right now and you feel defeated, it’s okay. Truly.
Start small. Start with the most visited space in your home—for me, that’s usually the kitchen or living room. Set a 10-minute timer and tidy just that space until it goes off. Then give yourself permission to stop.
Keep going if you want to—but it’s okay to stop there.
Tomorrow, start again in the same space. Set the timer. Tidy. Repeat.
You’ll be amazed how much a little bit each day helps.
Another phrase I say to myself and my kids all the time is:
“Don’t put it down—put it away.”
It sounds simple, but it’s a powerful way to keep your home clutter-free without constant cleaning. When you put something all the way away, it’s done—you don’t have to think about it again.
Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Better Than You Think
If your home feels like too much, remember—this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
Your effort matters. Every time you start the washer, clear a counter, or write down what’s in your head, you’re creating a peaceful rhythm for your family and for yourself.
You’re not behind. You’re just tired. And tired moms can still do beautiful, meaningful things—one small reset at a time.
This post is all about a home reset.
✨ Try This Next:
If you want a little extra support, grab my Quick Home Reset Checklist inside the From-Scratch, Not Stressed Starter Pack.
It walks you through a simple 3-step process to bring calm back to your home—without pressure or perfection.
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