Where to start when you don’t know where to start.

Do you ever find yourself walking into your home and feeling overwhelmed, as if you’ve entered a chaotic to-do list? Does the sight of clutter, unopened mail, and postponed decisions make you resentful, anxious, and unable to relax in your own space? If so you’re not alone my anxiety-ridden friend. Many people experience severe stress levels in their homes for various reasons, and identifying the root causes can be the first step toward creating a living environment that serves you. 

After working in hundreds of homes, I can tell you the two most common root causes of the chaos, and starting with one of them now will get you to the goal line of calm and sanity faster.

The big culprits are usually clutter or the division of household labor. Which is it for you?

Clutter 

One of the primary culprits of home-related stress is clutter that sneaks up on you through delayed decisions. Life can get crazy busy and it’s easy for stacks, piles, and doom boxes to accumulate. Rooms may become designated as “I will get to this later” spaces, and Amazon boxes and unopened mail can quickly take over. Clothes that no longer fit or serve a purpose for the people they were purchased for can add to the chaos. If you’re in a survival season, this clutter can pile up even faster leaving you feeling lost and unsure of where to start with your limited time and energy resources.

Division of Household Labor

Another common source of stress is shouldering the mental load of household needs on your own. Whether you have a partner, roommate, or family members sharing the space, keeping a home functioning should be a collective effort. Yes, stay-at-home parents or spouses need to share the load with their working partner as well, as the 24/7 nature of the job can lead to burnout if responsibilities aren’t shared. Finding a common language, sharing tasks, making responsibilities visible, and systemizing household management can significantly reduce stress. Ronnette at Rock Star is a licensed Fair Play facilitator and can use this gamified system to get a more automated and equitable divide of household labor. 

Worthy mention! Household systems and rhythms will save the day. 

If you feel like a hamster on a wheel constantly putting out fires or reinventing your approach to household management daily, it’s time to step back and establish rhythms, routines, systems, and habits. 

Building rhythms and routines into your day will turn into muscle memory and won’t tax your working memory nearly as much. For example, I see significant changes when clients implement a tidying rhythm and gradually improve their laundry, food, and cleaning processes. Improving processes in these areas can yield substantial gains, providing the breathing room you need to regain control of your home.

Don’t go it alone, friend. 

It can be challenging when your brain feels like mush and you’re unsure where to begin; it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face this alone! At Rock Star we assess homes and break down your overwhelm into doable steps to create a more organized and stress-free environment. Whether through on-site transformations or virtual support, we can guide you through the process with compassion and understanding.

Remember, your home should be a place of comfort and relaxation not a source of stress and frustration. By addressing the root causes and implementing practical solutions, you can transform your living space into a haven that promotes well-being and harmony. Don’t hesitate to take the first step toward a more organized and stress-free home – contact us today for the support you need.