Why Purging and Decluttering Helps Me Be a Better Mom: Embracing the Declutter Challenge for a Simplified Mom Life

THE SECRET TO A CALMER MOM LIFE? LESS STUFF.

Let’s be honest—mom life is chaotic enough without the added stress of tripping over rogue toys, rummaging through drawers for a pacifier, or playing a daily game of “Where Did I Put That?” Clutter isn’t just a mess; it’s a mental weight, a time thief, and sometimes, the reason you feel like you’re one snack request away from losing it.

But what if less stuff meant more calm? More time? More moments where you actually enjoy your home instead of feeling like it’s a never-ending to-do list?

That’s what we’re diving into today—why decluttering is one of the best things you can do for your sanity and how to get started without making it another overwhelming project.

WHY LESS STUFF = MORE PEACE

Somewhere along the way, we started believing that “organized” meant stuffing things into bins and calling it a day. But real organization starts with less. Fewer things to manage means fewer things to clean, sort, and stress about. Here’s how embracing a simpler space can make mom life infinitely better:

1. YOU’LL BE MORE EFFICIENT

You know that feeling when you’re searching for a kid’s missing shoe, and suddenly, it’s 20 minutes later, and you’re sweating and late? A decluttered home means less time spent searching and more time spent actually living. Everything has a place, and you can finally ditch the frantic scavenger hunts.

2. YOUR STRESS LEVELS WILL DROP

Walking into a clutter-free space just feels better. Studies show that mess triggers stress, and if you’ve ever stepped on a LEGO barefoot, you don’t need science to tell you that. Less stuff = less visual noise = more calm for you and your kids.

3. YOU’LL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE

Imagine a kitchen where you can actually cook without clearing the counter first. A playroom where clean-up takes five minutes instead of 45. When your home is streamlined, so is your day, leaving more room for the things you actually wantto do.

4. YOUR MIND WILL FEEL CLEARER

Clutter isn’t just physical; it’s mental. The more “stuff” in your space, the more decisions you have to make about it. Clear the clutter, and suddenly, your brain has more bandwidth for things like remembering school picture day before you’re pulling outfits from the laundry basket.

5. YOU’LL HAVE MORE TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS

When you’re not drowning in stuff, you get more time for snuggles, spontaneous dance parties, and finishing your coffee while it’s still hot. A simplified home helps you shift your energy from “managing things” to making memories.

HOW TO START: 500-ITEM PURGE CHALLENGE

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but here’s a fun (and oddly satisfying) way to jumpstart your journey: Get rid of 500 items. Sounds extreme? Not really. Once you start, you’ll realize you’re holding onto a shocking amount of stuff you don’t need.

Set a goal—maybe 100 items per day for five days. Walk through your house with a trash bag and a donation box and start pulling things that no longer serve you. Clothes, toys, expired pantry items, that stack of random papers you swore you’d go through. If you don’t use it or love it, let it go. Read a full blog about this challenge here!

REALISTIC STRATEGIES TO KEEP IT SIMPLE

Decluttering is one thing—keeping it that way is another. Here’s how to make sure your hard work sticks:

1. Create A Drop Zone: Shoes, backpacks, mail—it all needs a designated spot. A simple basket by the door can work wonders for taming daily chaos.
2. Institute A One-In, One-Out Rule: Every time something new comes in, something old has to go. Yes, even that adorable but totally unnecessary seasonal throw pillow.
3. Make Clean-Up Ridiculously Easy: If putting things away is a hassle, no one will do it (including you). Store toys in open bins, keep daily essentials within reach, and simplify your storage systems so even your toddler can help.
4. Declutter As You Go: Waiting for the “perfect” time to declutter? It’s never coming. Do little purges often—clean out the car while pumping gas, toss broken toys during bedtime cleanup, clear expired fridge items while you wait for dinner to cook.

LESS STUFF, MORE JOY

Simplifying your home isn’t about having a picture-perfect space—it’s about creating a home that works for you instead of against you. When you clear out the excess, you make room for more ease, more peace, and more moments that actually matter.

So, grab a donation box, start small, and remember: every item you let go of is one less thing to manage. And that, mama, is a beautiful thing.