When my home feels like too much, I know I need to do a quick reset of my main floor. But it’s not just the space that needs attention—it’s also my mind. So much of my overwhelm starts in my head, with thoughts circling like cluttered laundry piles that never get folded. That’s why I’ve created a simple rhythm I can return to over and over again: my 5-minute ground-up house reset.
This is what I do when everything feels like too much—and it always helps me find peace again.
This post is all about a house 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.
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- How to Keep a Clean House with Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
- Quick 10-Minute Daily Cleaning Schedule For Busy Moms
Step 1: Turn On the Music
Before I touch a single dish or pick up a toy, I set the mood.
I turn on some uplifting music—right now, I’m loving the Today’s Christian station on Apple Music. It’s gentle, positive, and helps shift the atmosphere in my home and in my heart. Sometimes all it takes is a song to soften the edges of a hard day.
Step 2: Laundry First (Always)
Then I head straight to the laundry room and start my one load of laundry for the day.
I don’t overthink it—I just pick the basket that’s the fullest and throw it in. We use multiple laundry baskets throughout the house, and we sort as we go. That way, I don’t waste time sorting before I start a load. One simple system = one less decision.
Starting a load gives me this instant sense of movement. Like, okay—I did something. Even if nothing else gets done, this one thing resets my mindset and gives me a small win I can build on.
Step 3: Brain Dump on the Whiteboard
Next, I do something for my mental clutter: I write everything circling my brain on our whiteboard.
Every worry. Every random task. Every “don’t forget” that’s taking up brain space.
Once it’s written down, I don’t have to keep repeating it in my head. I can let go and move forward knowing it’s all there when I need it. For me, this step is just as important as the laundry. It calms the mental chaos and gives me clarity for what actually matters.
Step 4: Quick Main Floor Tidy (From the Ground Up)
Now I move into the heart of our home: the main floor.
That includes our living room, dining area, and kitchen—the most used and most chaotic spaces. When those are a mess, I often feel like a mess too.
Here’s how I reset them quickly:
- Grab a laundry basket
I toss anything that doesn’t belong on the main floor into the basket. It’s not about sorting perfectly—just clearing space fast. - Start with the floors
Toys, shoes, random socks… I pick it all up first. Floors are my starting place because I’ve learned this:A woman’s brain often perceives visual clutter on the floor as a threat. It actually spikes anxiety.
When I learned that, it all made sense. No wonder I feel better after clearing the floors! - Move up to couches and benches
I fluff pillows, fold blankets, and put books or chargers where they go. - Then the surfaces: tables and counters
I clear off the kitchen counters, dining table, and any lingering dishes. I load the dishwasher and put away anything clean that’s on the drying mat. - Vacuum or sweep quickly
Not a deep clean—just a refresh. It pulls the whole room together. - Now deal with the basket
Remember that catch-all basket? This is the time to put everything away properly.
Resist the urge to “do it later.” If you’re anything like me, that basket will end up sitting on top of the washer for three days.
This whole process rarely takes more than 15 minutes—but it makes a massive difference in how my home and my mindfeel.
Step 5: Return to the List—With Peace
Now that the house is visually calmer and my brain is quieter, I return to the whiteboard list.
I scan it and choose the 1–3 most important tasks I want to focus on. Not all of them. Just a few.
Most days I don’t finish everything on the list. And that’s okay.
Because for me, this reset isn’t just about productivity. It’s about peace.
When 5 Minutes Is Enough (And When It’s Not)
Sometimes I set a timer—5, 10, or 15 minutes—and just start. I tidy until the timer goes off and then stop.
If I can’t reset a space in 15 minutes, that’s a clue: there’s too much stuff in that space. It might be time to declutter.
We don’t always need a bigger system—we might just need less to manage.
Why This Works for Me (Even on Hard Days)
I’ve struggled with self-doubt and the feeling that I just can’t keep up.
But this little reset has helped me remember my why.
I do this because I love my family. I want our home to be a peaceful place where we can rest and reconnect. And when I care for our home, I feel that love in action.
So I tell myself:
“Just 5 minutes. Let’s just try for 5 minutes.”
My home feels so much more doable when I break it into small chunks. It doesn’t have to be everything. Just the next thing.
If Your Home Feels Like Too Much Today…
Start here:
- Turn on some music.
- Start one load of laundry.
- Write down what’s cluttering your brain.
- Tidy one space from the floor up—for just 10 minutes.
- Give yourself permission to stop (or keep going if it feels good).
Try that today. Then tomorrow, do it again.
It’s not fancy. It’s not Pinterest-perfect. But it works.
And here’s the phrase I tell myself and my kids all the time:
“Don’t put it down. Put it away.”
It saves us so much energy and stress. And when something is truly put away, I don’t have to think about it again.
This post is all about a house reset.
You’re Not Behind, You’re Just Tired
If you’re feeling defeated or like your house is too far gone, I want you to know—you’re not failing. You’re just tired. And tired moms don’t need pressure. They need peace.
💛 Want a free way to start right now?
Grab my Peaceful Home Starter Pack —it includes a rhythm template, grace-filled meal ideas, and a first-win checklist to help you reset your home with gentleness.
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