CLUTTER, CHAOS & CLEANING: Finding solutions for my messy home 

I always tell myself that “future me” will thank “past me” for taking the extra few seconds to put things back where they belong. It makes a huge difference in keeping my house tidy.

I found a way recently to solve procrastination. I write on my to do list both, the task that I want to do, and second how I will feel when the task is done. Example: Renovate bathroom, feel light hearted, proud of myself, Spa, relaxed, cherish myself, self worth. 💙💚💛🧡 Carla, I love your videos, when you show your city, or visit a friend, or renovate and I really like when you tell your thoughts. You are a wounderful person. Thank you for inspiring me 😘💞

I don’t have a trash can in my living room, but I do have a trash can in my office! If your desk is in your living room, I would totally put a little trash can right by your desk :) I love all the little systems you created! I hope they help you out. What really helps me keep my home tidy is getting into the habit of immediately putting everything back where it belongs and giving things a home. When I get home from going out, I’ll immediately hang my purse and keys back up, put away any purchased items in their new home, recycle paper ads and put away receipts and mail in their designated spaces, etc. When I take off clothes and shoes, I immediately put them back in the closet or shoe rack or hamper. When I come home from a trip, I immediately unpack and do laundry. I know that having a tidy home helps me feel better and more calm and relaxed at home, so I prioritize that ❤️

I so appreciate the transparency, I feel like I’m always “deep cleaning” because I don’t maintain day to day.

When we live in a space and work and do life, and we're busy and are not home or just need to recharge, it happens. She's making it happen and addressing it as it evolves. Very inspiring, ty! ❤

Aaah, finally someone talks about the in-between clothes!! I do that too, I have a wicker basket for this very purpose because I don't want to do unnecessary (for me) laundry, and putting worn clothes with clean ones doesn't make sense to me (and slightly grosses me out). And Carla, I love your videos and your way so much. You really put things in perspective and try to find solutions that will fit your life. You don't do things you're "supposed to do", you tailor them to your actual needs. You're very good at seeing things as they are, not judging, not being harsh on yourself, and very good at finding what will work for you. I love this attitude, so refreshing and motivating. Thank you.

I love how you come up with solutions for yourself!

Something I love to do which helps with micro tidying... if I'm in a room and I'm going to another, I do a quick scan of the room I'm in and think is there anything here that should be in the room I'm going to or passing by. Just picking up a cup for the kitchen or a dry bit of laundry for the bedroom etc makes all the difference. It's a micro win in my day and trust me, some days, I need all the micro wins I can get ;)

I paused the video just to comment quickly that I love to see the growth on your channel. I subscribed when there was less than 10K of us. I’m so happy to see your community grow ✨

I have a row of hooks hanging in my bathroom for in-between clothes similar to the hooks you hung at your door. It works for me.

ok, this whole 'hiring someone to help me' is a revelation. i might now get some stuff off my to-do list 😊

It is not just me! How one woman and a cat with minimised items can turn a clean apartment in to a bomb site is beyond me but I manage it frequently!

I have a Trash can by my desk. We have a Recycle bin for plastic, glass and metal containers. Paper has its own bin. I collect it all in one bin inside and separate into two bins outside for garbage day.

For the doggy-doo bags - I cut the top & side flaps off the box so it's always open. That way, it's not only easy to access, but also to put the bags & holder away! One less step helps with the ADD so much! I don't do 'in between' baskets' or any other system lol! If something is clean enough to wear again - I put it away! If it isn't, it goes into the dirty laundry basket! I don't need one more thing to maintain! "In Between" is just another decision I need to make and my ADD doesn't allow that!

We keep a trash can in every room in the house. It helps to keep it from being left laying around.

For partly worn clothes I drape them over a bamboo ladder. It keeps them off the floor, let’s them air a bit & helps keep wrinkles away.

Good Job! Yes! Create those systems to make things happen (almost) automatically. We keep a trash can in the living area. I work at the kitchen table… I put a little box nearby to collect trash then I empty it at the end of my work session. ✳️ I set some arbitrary rules for myself to “complete the cycle”. 1. Take it out. Use it. Put it back. 2. Put it on. Wear it. Take it off. Put it away. (Re-wear place or dirty laundry.) My in-between clothes get hung back in the closet in a different zone reserved for re-wear. 3. Buy it. Bring it home. Take it out of the packaging. Recycle packaging. Put item in it’s newly assigned home. 4. See trash bit on the floor, pick it up and throw it away. (I use to leave it & think to myself: I need to vacuum.) 5. Wash, dry, fold, put away. ✳️ After following FlyLady’s routines for years - I’ve settled into a routine of decluttering in the zones each month. Just a quick run-through and usually not every month - but most months something goes from all the zones. Week 1: Living Area downstairs Week 2: Kitchen Week 3: Bathrooms & Laundry Closet Week 4: Bedrooms Week 5: Living area upstairs, hall closets (crafts & Utility)

I need a mental fix for just dropping things wherever. 🙈 I’m so horrible with that! I absolutely understand the clothing rotation, so the in-between basket is brilliant! Love how you’re corralling things!

I used to be that person who would lay things down and around my house all week and then I'd clean all weekend. Now I'm that person that recognizes that it's just as easy to put things where they belong AKA clean as you go. Life with organization systems in place is so GOOD!

Yess I definitely have a garbage can in living room. It’s actually very cute wicker basket. Great video 😁

Another great video. Here what I’ve always done. If I’m in my bedroom and I’m going to walk through my living room to get to the kitchen I look around me. What do I have in my bedroom that belongs into either room? I pick up those things and put them in the rooms they belong. I do this for every room I’m in. Its just always been a habit. I also try to touch things once not 3 times. On the worst days I at least will get the items in the room they belong. When it comes to dishes sometimes I just fill the sink with hot soapy water throw dishes in throughout the day then they are easily washed at the end of the day etc. Great idea with the separate bins. 😊

I always look forward to your videos. You always inspire me to get up and get things done. I have gotten rid of 3 black garbage bags full and donated to my local hospice thrift store. My home feels lighter and more peaceful 💗 thank you for always shining that bright light of yours to inspire and encourage.

I have a trash can in every room. Small, but still. In the livingroom and bedroom it's a nice/pretty little basket. Just a bit bigger than those table waste bins.. Love your videos! ♡ You're one of my youtubers that I never miss a video of! ☆ (And you are soo pretty too! I'm absolutely in love with your tan/skin!! You don't have to put makeup on any part of your face and still look amazing..) What works very well for me regarding tidying is to put all things that belong to an other room/space in one specific spot. So I don't have to walk for every single little item but can do it later all in one. Within a room (e.g. the living room or in my case the hallway, bc. all rooms go from there) there is a bowl, where I put all things that don't belong here, until I go ahead and tidy up. I put all things there through out the day and I even start there collecting all "foreign" things from all the rooms in there when tidying. I can take it with me while collecting, and I can take it with me for distribution, depending on how much it is. For example when I'm in the kitchen and find something from the bedroom, I put it aside until I leave the room and then (can) throw it in the collecting bin/bowl if I don't want or have time to deal with it right now. That way the rooms stay tidy, bc. even the clutter/debris has a temporary home, and I can save time/brainwork by not having to deal with/run for every item right away. I empty it (mostly/usually) every evening. Love it. The MinimalMom always says "It has to be as easy to put sth. _away_ than to just put it _down._ 😁 So you could put a trash can and a "collecting basket" in your living room to put all things during the day and empty them in the evening (or when it's full or you have time).. ☆ Your new inbox & outbox could go on a simple/little (wall mounted) shelf. That way you wouldn't have to buy a real piece of furniture, but they still wouldn't have to live on the floor. But that only if it bothers you.. 😄

Both my boyfriend and I need in between clothes baskets! This video feels so relatable. Every time you mention a reason why something was messy I completely and immediately understood.

What really helps me to stay tidy is the ‘one touch rule’…it’s usually a few seconds tops, to put something away than set it down. If I put it down somewhere I’m only going to have to spend longer picking it back up to put it away another time (and be annoyed that it’s cluttering my space as it’s not in its home during the in between).

No garbage can in my living room, but I do have an entire rolling garment rack for my "in-between clothing" so you're not alone there!

I have a trash can in the living room! One area that always collects clutter is my dining table, I dump everything there when I get in the house. I put a tray at the end where I dump everything to corral the clutter and it's been fairly helpful.

I love the idea of an in between clothing basket. I have a version where I either fold and sit them on top of rolling drawers or hang them up and rewear as they are still clean.

My office is part of my living room. And, although, I don't need a trash can in LR, I have a small one by my office desk. So useful!

You're doing real good. I struggle like you do and so does my family so I have my work cut out for me. I procrastinate but I find that I have to switch off my feelings when it comes to getting shizz done. I take breaks and I write a list of the 3 most important things I want to do that day. That way I don't get distracted. I have chronic ADHD so I need routines. I do only the messiest bits and break it down into chunks and take my breaks. Then I reward myself. Time to watch RU-vid, do my art or just sit quietly and have time to myself. It's not easy but it's worth it. Finding solutions like you have that suit you definitely works. And over time I've found that refining my spaces has made it faster to tidy up. I do half an hour in the morning with my husband before he leaves for work and half an hour at night just resetting. I also clean up the space that I'm using. So in the morning, I make my bed, clear my room and open the window. I do a quick spot check of the bathroom after I've used it. I'm real proud of you and your progress and I'm proud of me too. My home isn't perfect but it is better and that's my goal. A little bit everyday and we are seeing the results. And most importantly, the mess isn't messing with my mental health. I get to live in a nice home. We deserve it. I hope my words encourage you. I have learned to encourage myself. No one else notices our work so it's ok to high five yourself when you accomplish something.

The two things that do the most good in our home are: 1. cleaning the kitchen every single night after dinner, no excuses 2. putting things away instead of dropping them randomly

I love the project, inbox and outbox ideas! I make a pile on the corner of my kitchen table for outgoing items, and projects so I don't forget about them, but often the clutter spreads and the whole table is a mess.

Your idea for having an "in-between" basket for clothes really resonates with me. Going to try it. Thanks, Carla!!!

I think you’re on the right track with your thought process and how you’re approaching your systems. Great video!

Dont do in between clothing. Just put in in the closet inside out. Then you know it has been worn before. If it takes to long to wear it again, you can always put it in the laundry or check when the washer is not really fully loaded if you can add anything. I think the in between will get stuffed very soon.

I have a trash can/basket in every room. The easier you make it for yourself, the more likely you are to do it. 👍 Also, I have learned to put a basket or small container in "dumping zones". It's been helpful for me when I go to put things away when I have a moment to do so.

Yes, in between clothes! I hung a pretty over the door hook rack in the bedroom for those items and they're only visible inside that room. It's been a game changer 😁 I really like the in box and out box concept!

Hello female ENTJ! One of my fave types. Love your take charge personality. Wish I could be just a wee bit more like an ENTJ (INFJ). Thanks for sharing your interior thoughts as you go about organizing. Makes us all feel we are in this together and that it's a constant effort. I appreciate your videos.

Greetings Carla...Thanks for this upload! Creating organization and maintenance systems are extremely important for our household as it's very easy for our home to become a hot mess whenever we forgo using our implemented strategies to keep clutter and chaos at bay. We have lived in a variety of different situations where storage solutions varied from one home to the next. We've had homes with ample cabinets and closets making storage easier; and we've lived in spaces where closets and cabinets were sparce and required us to get creative 🤣. Lifestyle also plays a big part in how easily we're able to reset rooms after we're finished using them. In my household, we usually change out of our work clothes in our closets because we all have rather large sized closets, and can easily change our clothing without needing to do so anywhere else in the home. My husband likes to just throw his work clothing over a chair that's inside his closet which definitely piles up over time and requires a "big reset" at some point during the month. However, I tend to just replace my work clothing on the hanger I removed it from that morning. Like you, if it's not dirty and doesn't require washing or to be sent to the cleaners, I just return the item back to my closet. A laundry basket lives inside each of our closets, so that's where we toss items that definitely require washing. Since all of this takes place inside our closets, we simply just shut the door to keep the mess from peering eyes 🤣. I'm pretty much a neat freak, so maintain my closets with meticulous detail, but the old husband is a different story. When I've had enough of his disorganized closet, I'll do a reorganization "reset" for him. Yes, we have trash bins for any room in the house where trash might be generated, so we definitely have serviceable bins in the bathrooms, the bedrooms, and the kitchen. I also have more fashionable bins for the living and dining rooms, but we rarely dispose of trash in those bins. Creating organizational structures is highly personal one's lifestyle, so we played around with a few until we found systems that worked for us. Honestly, our Dining and Living Rooms are rarely used for anything 🤣; we either eat in the kitchen or in the Family Room while watching TV. We have a Den with desks (I'm a career librarian with departmental duties and my husband was an electrical engineer), so that's where we house our laptops, keep/file our mail/documents and work. If mail or work finds its way into the bedrooms or the Family Room, I usually just return it back to its respective desk to prevent it from getting lost or accidentally thrown away. I've dedicated one drawer in our kitchen to house miscellaneous items, which I'll go through from time-to-time to either re-home items or simply throw them away.

Something that really helped me was having a trash can in every room. It was life changing

I was so excited to find an old video that I haven’t seen, can’t get enough of your channel. I do something similar with clothing that I’ve worn, if it’s obviously dirty it goes into the basket if I intend to wear it again I hang it on hooks in my closet. If it’s dressy clothes I put it on a hanger but hang it separate from unworn clothing. I love your apartment. ❤

I think it's great that you've put new systems in place and I hope they're working out - I think it's so important to know ourselves and work with who we are, love to Mr Samson too ❤️

We have little 30cm tall bin all throughout the house, laundry, bed rooms, lounge room, bathroom . It’s the only way that I can train myself not to just drop it wherever. Small steps! You can splurge and get pretty matching ones and scented bin bags to make it less of an eyesore :) love from Australia 🇦🇺

Another great video! I organized & cleaned storage areas & my bedroom today, will continue tomorrow. I’m hoping to declutter enough stuff so I don’t waste a whole day organizing things I don’t use. Your video will motivate me to complete my project tomorrow!!

I solved two problems at once. I use my dining table for my office and always have paperwork and items that I need to access. I also needed a stand for my tv. So I bought a used dresser off Craigslist. I use that for my tv stand and keep my paperwork and office stuff in the drawers. That way if I need the table for company I can put everything in the dresser drawers and it’s organized.

Thanks for being so real . . . we all have those 'drop places' and 'problem spots,' but watching you tackle them with your thoughtful decisions really makes me feel inspired! Samson is SO adorable . . . and he is chill just like you.

Clean as you go is a motto I have used for a long time. Thanks! I need a "between box"

I have an over the door rack in bathroom for those in between clothes, nightwear and what I'm wearing tomorrow. I finally learned not to put it down at all. I deal with it immediately. It's really easier than putting it down. Then I only handle it once. I think you are doing great btw. New habits take time to learn.

Hi Carla (and Samson). Yeah, an in between basket for clothes absolutely makes sense. Clothes don't have to go to the laundry, just bc they were worn once (when they aren't dirty). 😊 I absolutely hate trash cans. I can have one for my small apt (52 m2, thats roundabout 60 square feet). There goes everything and I seperate/recycle it before it goes into the right bin (bio, plastic and paper, oh and one for unrecyclable items), which I have in my garage.

I also have a inbetween box for my clothes!! It's so good to keep track of clothes that you are still using... Of when I'm trying to find an outfit and trying on lots of different clothes and don't have time to put them back straight away, the end up in my inbetween box (or the floor 😂)

I recommend using soapy water on your acrylic organizers because I heard acrylic gets filmy or semi-opaque with spray cleaners.

Thank you for your videos. It's always a relief, seeing that it's normal for things to get cluttered... Your videos, give me a reminder that it's about the journey, and it's ok to have your home a continuous work in progress!

Your channel feels very personal and relatable. Love your home!

I like the idea of an in between basket, indeed we dont need to launder our clothes if we wore them for a few hours. I now use one of my drawer as and in-between outfits. It looks better than throwing them on the chair.

I love your kitchen, it is not new, not perfect but it is sunny. I love to see the sun reflects on the surfaces, it is very cheery. And each time you declutter it you make it look very nice. All of us can make our old kitchen look their best.

I have some wall hooks that I hang my "in between" clothes . It helped me not just throw my clothes in a pile. You are not alone!

Sigh I feel ya girl. It's not just me its my family too so I have to reset everything and everyone's habits, trying to keep us accountable. It's hard but good for you for doing all this and thank you for sharing the process with us.

Great tips! Glad you show that things do still pile up, and ways to fix that quickly. Thank you for the inspiration!

Well done again! Your honesty is so real. Its so nice to see. 🎉

Another great video. I love how you keep it real and how consistent you are. Continually improving, tweaking, making habits. A real encouragement. I do have a cute trash can in my living room - basically every room in the house although I try to make it to the kitchen with food trash! Glad to see you hang the hooks up. Hanging things and vertical storage are great. You could put shelves and hanging file baskets above your desk. I have 2 hooks in my bedroom, one for PJs and one for in-between clothes.

A trash can by my desk is a must have! I open mail there!

Appreciated the intro and reflection on life patterns.

I am currently creating a system for myself too, as I watch this! Thanks! I'm glad I'm not alone. 😆

Creating homes is the only way. The hardest thing is to find good, praktible and affordable storage solutions.

Such a cozy video! Loved it very much ❤️

I'm so glad I found your channel! Thank you so much for inspiring me to begin my own journey. Love from Denmark

Another great video. I'm very proud of you for hanging up the hall hooks; they look great. Yes, I have a waste bin in the living room, as it is a place we create trash. Another vote here for finding a pretty/artsy one that blends with the decor. For my "lightly worn" clothes, I've made an effort to rehang/put them back as if they are fresh from the laundry with two caveats-- 1. I hang them inside out so I know they are at least "half worn" and 2. I keep a spray bottle of watered down cheap vodka to spritz them. This kills the bacteria, neutralizing any beginning smells but evaporates away (so you won't smell really boozy either). This is a trick I learned working theatre costumes. Couldn't laundry every performance, but the "no-stink spray" would do wonders even on clothes heavy with sweat or items that are not able to be laundered.

Good motivation! Definitely put a trash can in the living room. I have had one for a few years, and it keeps me from leaving tissues, and little pieces of trash on the tables. Just contains it and keeps it from getting messy.

Everything ons I watch one of your videos I am so motivated and start decluttering and cleaning. When hubby comes home he always say....wow girl you must not pack up the building as well😋😋

I really enjoyed that video, Carla. I think you're definitely on your way to being the person you want to be. It really is just keeping at it that will get you there. Waste bin by your desk, for sure. I love the 3 baskets by your doorway and the one down by the door you leave with to walk Samson. It helps you feel more organised, I think - and not feeling overwhelmed with stuff is always half the battle! Warm good wishes to you!

I love your videos. You are so authentic❤️

I have a good solution for your "in between" clothes. I have the same issue. I also wear jean or shorts multiple times before washing. So what i do is I have two hooks that hang over my bedroom door and I hang the "in between" stuff, including my pjs on the back of the door. That way they are out of the way, getting wrinkled less, and I know what to grab that is in process until it is dirty enough to wash. Also on the back of my closet door no one sees the items. Anyway you can get those hooks at probably Target or any hardware store. No installation needed as they hang over the door. Good luck and keep up the great work!

Since my in-between clothing spot is the reading chair in my bedroom - which means I never have a place to sit and read - I think the basket 🧺 is genius! I am going to steal that idea. 😁

Great video! I love the in between box idea!

I am a total mess, I love how honest you are about just simply having bad habits that need to be broken, I have been trying to break mine as well.

I have an outgoing return area also..its great it helps me to remember to give back stuff!

Thank you for showing this process ❤️👏 you inspire me to watch on my apartment in the way to search missing system 😊

love these. Always good to see that none of us are perfect and decluttering is just Step 1 :)

I love your videos! They are so relaxing! Thank you for your content

You have accomplished a lot, enjoyed watching your progress

Instead of a “between basket” I have a series of coat hooks on one wall of my closet. That way my clothing can “air between wears” but I don’t need to fiddle with folding or hangers.

Thank you for your obedience. God Bless you

Thanks! I love your videos. So helpful.

** I do the same as you!!!! The "in between" clothes. When it comes to lounging clothes and pjs (things that are worn more than once), I have a basket on the shelf in my closet where they live. I walk in the door after work and immediately go to my closet. where I change out of work clothes and change into lounge clothes/pjs. I also have a basket where I put my dog walking clothes. Unless it's a million degrees outside, I can wear them multiple times before needing to wash them. ** I don't do a daily 15 minute cleaning, but I do feel so much better when I wake up to a house that doesn't need cleaned. The same with coming home from work, or vacation, etc. I know that I'll be much more relaxed if I come home to a place that is put away....where I can change into those lounge clothes and enjoy the evening. ** Sometimes something as simple as taking the lid off of the box of dog poop bags (in your entryway) might help.....at least, it does for me. Opening and closing the box to get a roll out or put a roll away isn't a big deal, obviously....but it's one less step.

I'm adopting the inbox, outbox, and project box!!!

Love the little basket on the stairs, looks way tidier and is super handy to quickly collect stuff when you get in! I have an open plan kitchen and living room, so I have one trashcan there, and one little trashcan in my bathroom. I used to have a trashcan next to my bureau (in my old home), because I accumulated a lot of trash there like paper/envelopes/food and drink packages. I found it very handy!

Your in between clothing basket makes perfect sense. I have a wall hooks that I use in my bathroom for them purpose. Thank you for motivation ❤️🤗

I feel your pain because I also struggle with my place. I think it’s a lot smaller than yours! You’re doing a good job, it’s hard but you’re doing good!!!!

Omg I have the same outfit breakdown as you and keeping up with them is horrific! So glad I’m watching 🥰

This motivated me, thank you!

We have two trash cans in the living room. One at each end. We do not have a specific desk, so do paperwork in the living room, and the trash cans are very useful for helping keep trash collected. Your thought process for organizing is very helpful.

I felt this video so much!!!!

I have a hook on my closet for those items that aren't dirty and i wear them throughout the week such as lounge clothes. Love your ideas. Good luck

Lol you are also not alone when it comes to procrastinating to get to the project pile and to sell pile. I feel like the nest thing about decluttering is liberation from staff, but the sell pile is a job in itself 🤣

Those baskets are a great idea!

The in between box is genius!

The in-between basket for clothing makes total sense. I have clothing that I only wear around the house. I put those on a hook in the bathroom to be worn a few times before they need to be washed. Like you, I would not put them back in the closet with the clean unworn garments.

Thankyou wonderful video❤❤❤

I think you should install a shelf or a bookshelf next to your desk or on top of it for books and journals.

Midwest Cleaning sent so I’m going to start watching because if Mac says you are good people I’m in!