It is such a refreshing feeling having your countertops clutter-free of the day to day messes that could potentially become a conglomerate of chaos.

I’ve previously mentioned I am doing a weekly cleaning challenge to get my butt into gear as I’ve been slacking in this area for a while and it is to the point where the clutter in my home is now, clutter in the brain.

I feel as though I can’t think clearly and the feng shui has completely left.

In day one of the challenge, I am tackling all the countertops in the home.

That ranges from kitchen countertops, bathroom, night stands, office desk, and basically anything that has a top will be clean on this day.

I consider doing this as the beginning of the week to clear off all of the items that accumulate over the prior week.

So what is the plan of action to making sure that clutter will not happen again?

Because let’s face it my family and I can continue to do the same moves every week and allow the kitchen and bar counter to be the daily dumping ground of items every day, and mail to throw it on the desk and pile up until the end of the week.

Or never put up the toiletries that I leave out on the bathroom counter until the one day a week I decide to do something about it.

Truth is I don’t like cleaning just as I don’t like cooking but I know I gotta do it!

What changes I am making besides giving myself a swift kick in the butt to rid these bad habits. Here is the plan of action for each area of change.

First, it starts in the heart of the home:

KITCHEN AREA

Ask yourself, are all the items currently on the counter here because there is not a place established for them yet, or is it a dumped item that needs to be in its place.

We have an open kitchen so for the bar area, this will no longer be a dumping ground.

I’ve had a meeting with the hubby and hopefully, he will follow through, but in case he doesn’t I will be there to remind him, that before dumping find a place for that item.

For instance, when he comes home he will reach into his pocket and dump pens, empty candy wrappers, loose coins from the day, and whatever else from his pockets onto the counter.

There is a place for each of those items: candy wrappers = trash, pens = pen container on the desk, loose coins = our son’s piggy bank. For items that don’t have a particular area can be left until there is a place for it.

This approach will help to minimize the amount of clutter that can pile up over the course of seven days, and also by doing this will help to break the bad habit of just dumping.

KITCHEN TABLE

The second question to ask, is the table clean and clear of items other than what should be on the table? Like the table centerpiece, placemats, or whatever you have on your table that is supposed to be there.

This can easily be a dumping ground for books, notebooks, mail, magazines, items bought at the store still the in-store bag and haven’t put up yet.

For example, I bought some toiletries but never emptied the store bag and those items are still sitting on the table in the store bag and it’s been almost two weeks.

When we eat at the table I just move the bag over a little to make room along with all the other clutter already there.

It is embarrassing but this is transparency folks, and the first step to fixing a problem is recognizing that you have one. 

Take the same approach for the kitchen area for the kitchen table and immediately put away groceries and other item bought at the store.

Forcing yourself to immediately store away these items will prevent disorganization from starting.

Related: 8 Time Management Mistakes You Are Making As A Stay At Home Mom

BATHROOM

Finally, make sure after you are done getting beautiful for the day, all the items you pull out are put back in its rightful place.

Do this each time before leaving the bathroom, and I know it's very simple but honestly, it is easy to walk out and not do this step?

This area is more for me than it is for hubby. I have a tendency to leave my makeup out on the counter because I know that I use it every day and what's the point of putting it back.

That is just a bad idea and a bad habit that I have created.

I have storage for makeup and storage bins for my hair accessories so there is not an excuse.

I tend to wear the same colors every day and I think mentally I tell myself to just leave it since I’ll need it tomorrow.

Either way, it isn’t good and it is a bad habit I must break.

Since everything has its place the plan of action will be to each time I’m doing my make up when I’m done immediately put it back in the drawer or closet. PERIOD!

Related: Top 7 Tips For Keeping The Bathroom Safe For Your Toddler

OTHER TOPS

Other areas like dresser and night stands do not get too messy throughout the week.

This could be because I use some of the bigger areas to clutter instead of the smaller ones.

However, following the same approach will lead to a successful clutter-free home.

I don’t know much about Fung Shui but I do believe doing this will help the flow of positive energy in the home and I’m all about positivity.

Keeping these good habits will prevent disorganization and keep your countertops clutter-free. Stay tuned for more helpful tips I will give during this challenge.

What are some good habits that you have implemented in keeping a clutter-free home, leave them in the comments below.

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