Hi Friend,
Tidy and organizing often get used interchangeably—but to me, they’re very different things.
I wouldn’t call myself a “professional tidier,” even though I do a lot of tidying during organizing sessions with my clients. Organizing is really about sorting, creating categories, and building systems that actually function in your day-to-day life.
Tidying, on the other hand, is more of a task. It’s something you do before organizing—or as part of the process.
Think about it: when someone is coming over, you don’t suddenly decide to fully organize your entire house. You do a quick tidy.
And honestly? The art of tidying is often overlooked. It’s seen as “just something we do,” but it can make a huge difference—especially if organizing feels overwhelming.
If you’re in a busy season of life (and let’s be real… who isn’t?), and the thought of organizing feels like too much brain power, I want you to shift your focus.
Start with a tidy.
Because when you stay on top of simple tidying, organizing becomes so much easier, faster, and less stressful.
So what does “tidying” actually mean?
You probably already have your own version, but here’s how I define it—especially in a way that supports future organizing.
Let’s take a room, like your living room or dining room.
Step 1: Remove trash and recycling
Start with the obvious. Toss anything that needs to go.
And just like that—you’ll already feel a difference.
Step 2: Return items to the right room
Look for anything that doesn’t belong in that space and move it where it actually belongs.
- Shoes to the closet
- Dishes to the kitchen
- A random toothbrush (we’ve all been there) back to the bathroom
It doesn’t need a perfectly organized home yet—it just needs to get to the right room.
If it helps, use a basket. Do a quick “errand run” around your house and drop things off where they go.
Step 3: Get things off the floor and surfaces
Pick things up. Clear pathways.
No stepping on Legos. No random clutter underfoot.
Put items in a bin, on a shelf, in a drawer—just get them up and contained.
That’s it.
We’re not talking about deep cleaning.
We’re not dusting or scrubbing.
This is just a good, old-fashioned tidy.
The kind you do before guests come over…
or honestly, just so your brain can relax when you look around your home.
Here’s why this matters
Those three simple steps?
They’re also the first three steps I take when I start an organizing project.
So when you build a habit of tidying, you’re not “just cleaning up”—you’re actually getting a head start on organizing.
You’re:
- saving time
- reducing overwhelm
- and making future projects feel way more doable
I’d love to hear from you—what does “tidying” look like in your home?
Is there anything you’d add to this process?
And more importantly… how do you feel after a quick tidy?
💛 Need a little extra help?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like you just don’t know where to start—I’m here for you.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Reach out, and let’s make your home (and your routines) feel lighter, simpler, and more manageable—together.
