Feel Like You’re Living in Chaos When Your Home Feels Overwhelming?
You ever look around your house and just… sigh? Maybe even groan? Yeah, me too. It’s so easy to let yourself fall even further into the hole when your home feels overwhelming.
Right now, as I sit here writing this, I have dishes in the sink, laundry piles that just keep moving from one surface to another, and a floor that really needs to be swept. The kids’ toys are scattered everywhere, the counters are cluttered, and there’s a general feeling of chaos in the air.
Honestly? It feels overwhelming.
And when things feel overwhelming, it’s easy to do nothing. To sit there, staring at the mess, feeling like you’ll never catch up. Like you’re failing at keeping your home in order. Like everyone else somehow has it together while you’re drowning in a sea of socks, crumbs, and half-empty cups.
But let’s take a deep breath together, okay?
Because I promise—you’re not alone.
And this feeling? It doesn’t have to last forever.
First: Let’s Let Go of the Guilt
Before we even think about tackling the mess, let’s address the little voice whispering, “You should have this under control. Other moms don’t let their homes get like this.”
Here’s the truth: that voice is lying.
Everyone has messy seasons. Every single person.
Some people are just better at shoving things into closets before guests come over.
Your home doesn’t define your worth. A messy kitchen doesn’t mean you’re failing. Cluttered counters don’t mean you’re a bad mom. And let’s be real—if your home is messy, it probably means you’re living in it.
Now, let’s not go too far into the other end where we’re glorifying the mess. I’m not about celebrating the hot mess mom just because it’s relateable. We can always strive for excellence, but at the same time be struggling with the season you’re currently in. Two things can absolutely be true at the same time.
So let’s ditch the guilt and focus on what actually matters: making things feel just a little lighter.
Next: Pick the Easiest Win
When your home feels overwhelming, when everything feels like too much, don’t try to tackle it all at once. That’s a fast track to burnout.
Instead, find the one thing that will make your space feel just a little better.
- Maybe it’s clearing off the kitchen counters.
- Maybe it’s starting one load of laundry.
- Maybe it’s making the bed.
- Maybe it’s straightening up the couch cushions and folding the blankets that are strewn about.
- Maybe it’s just lighting a candle and calling it progress.
Whatever it is, start there. One small win leads to another.
Then: Set a Timer & Get Moving
If the mess is overwhelming, but you have zero motivation, try this:
⏳ Set a timer for 10 minutes
🚀 Pick one small area to tidy
🎶 Put on music, a podcast, or an audiobook
🙌 Stop when the timer goes off—or keep going if you feel like it!
Ten minutes isn’t scary. And once you start, momentum kicks in. Before you know it, you might just have a whole room looking better.
Give Yourself Permission to Take It Slow When Your Home Feels Overwhelming
Your house doesn’t have to be spotless by the end of the day.
If you’re in survival mode (new baby, sickness, busy season, or just life), then just do what you can. Some days, that might mean washing the dishes and calling it good. Other days, you might have the energy to deep-clean an entire room.
Both are okay. Both are progress.
Ask for Help (Seriously, It’s Okay)
If the mess is truly overwhelming, ask for help.
- Get your kids involved—even little ones can match socks, pick up their own toys, or wipe the table.
- If you have a partner, communicate what you need. They might not see the mess the way you do.
- Call a friend and say, “Hey, can we chat while I clean? I need some motivation.”
You don’t have to do this alone.
A Messy Home is a Lived-In Home
Let’s be real—a home that’s actually lived in is never going to look like a magazine.
There will always be dishes, laundry, and dust settling as soon as you finish cleaning. That’s just life. And honestly? That’s okay.
Because one day, when the house is quiet and the kids have grown, we’ll miss the mess.
(Okay, maybe not the laundry piles. But you get what I mean.)
So today, let’s take a deep breath. Let’s do what we can. Let’s let go of the guilt and embrace the fact that a messy home is just a sign of a full, beautiful life.
And if all else fails?
There’s always tomorrow.
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