As summer begins to fade, there’s a certain magic in the air—the crisp mornings, the golden light, and the gentle whisper of a new season…my favorite season. For me, summer days are luxurious, but the fall brings busy and long days. This year, I wanted to meet this season with a sense of calm and clarity. When I got back from vacation, I was determined to get my house in order. I started to declutter and organize everything room by room so that we could begin this fall season with a clean slate. Having a clutter-free home isn’t just about having a tidy space; it’s about creating a peaceful environment for everyone in my family to want to be in and enjoy. It’s about sitting on the couch with my family and not having messes that I can see everywhere, causing me more anxiety.
More Clutter = More Anxiety
Did you know that studies show that clutter increases cortisol levels in women, causing women to have more anxiety? For me, decluttering has been on my to-do list for…years. Yes, years, kids do that to you. Finally, my kids are older and need me less, which has given me more time to focus on all the stuff we have accumulated. The kids have also been a part of this process because a lot of the stuff we are getting rid of is theirs. The toys, costumes, and clothes. They have helped bag up the donations and put their toys on the front lawn for free.
As the clutter has lessened, I have felt my mental state shift from utter chaos to a sense of calm. This is especially true as we gear up for a new homeschool year, where our home now becomes our classroom. An organized space allows everyone, not just me, to focus on learning and connection. We don’t have a dedicated space for homeschooling in our home due to the size of our house, so our dining room serves two purposes: a gathering space for eating our meals together and homeschooling.
So, where do we begin? I think the key is to approach decluttering not as a monumental, overwhelming task like I have taken on, but instead, it should be a series of small, manageable steps. Looking to the future, after decluttering like a maniac these last few weeks, I now know moving forward to take these simple steps to keep my house organized and clutter-free for future seasons.
These four fall home reset steps will transform your space into a cozy sanctuary perfect for the new season:
Embrace the “Seasonal Swap”
Start with a simple seasonal swap. Put away the summer items that you won’t need until next year. This could be anything from beach towels and picnic blankets to pool toys and summer-themed decor. Wash them, fold them neatly, and store them away in a designated bin. As you do this, take a moment to evaluate each item. Did you even use that particular pool noodle? Is that picnic blanket stained and worn out? This simple act of putting things away for the season provides a natural opportunity for a quick purge. This way, you aren’t holding onto things that will end up in the trash in a year from now when you unpack them.
The School Refresh
For my fellow homeschooling moms, the fall transition is the perfect time to give your learning space a complete overhaul. Whether you have a dedicated room or a corner of the dining room table, take everything out and start sorting. Sort through last year’s workbooks, art projects, and school supplies. Toss the dried-up markers, recycle the completed workbooks, and file away the projects you want to keep. This is also a great opportunity to make sure your space is ready for the new curriculum. Organize new books, create a caddy for fresh supplies, and establish a system that makes it easy for your children to find what they need and to put it away when they’re done. A well-organized learning space is the foundation for a successful and less stressful school year.
For moms prepping for a new school year, clean out the old backpacks, refresh what is needed for the new year, and keep the supplies simple. Also, you don’t need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for back to school unless your kid has gone through a growth spurt. Try to be mindful when shopping and consider investing in a capsule wardrobe for the kids, thrifting when you can, and focus on good quality materials that will last through the play and use.
Kitchen & Pantry Clean-Out
As our meal prep shifts from quick summer salads to hearty fall meals, our kitchen needs to keep up. Take a morning to tackle the pantry. Pull everything out, check expiration dates, and get rid of anything that’s been lingering in the back for a year. Organize by category. I am obsessed with air-tight containers for all my baking goods and rice, so I can physically see if I need more of something. Go through the Tupperware drawer and find all the matching lids! Also, take this time to clean out the fridge and freezer and purchase organizers for easy go-to snacks to be stored for the school year. This simple purge will make your daily life so much easier. Your kids will know and see where the snacks are, and you won’t be listening to them ask over and over again, “Can I have a snack?”
The Mindful Maintenance Plan
Something I am learning is that decluttering isn’t a one-time event; it’s a lifestyle. Once you’ve completed this fall clean-out, create a simple maintenance plan to keep the clutter from creeping back in. This could be as simple as a 10-minute nightly tidy, or a rule like for every one thing that comes in, one thing must go. This intentional practice helps your family stay on top of the clutter. This will ensure that your home remains a peaceful sanctuary for your family. Something I am also learning is that less is more. We don’t need 10,000 stuffed animals for each kid, 12 blankets in the living room (or that blanket I have had since college), or 50 outfits each. In a society that tells you more, more, more, let’s try to change the narrative to less is best.
By taking the time to declutter our homes this fall, we can move into the new season with a sense of purpose. Ready to embrace the learning, the chaos, and the cozy moments together that fall brings. Now, we can go into fall with clarity, a sense of belonging in our home, and peace that comes with not always having to clean up the chaos.
