Making Space for Things You Love

Hello!

Are you ready for a five-minute challenge that could transform your home? Yep, you read that correctly. In just five minutes you can take one huge step in decluttering your home. Wanna know the best part? You can get the kids involved too!

You should be able to enjoy the items in your home without feeling bogged down by the clutter. And in five minutes you can create habits that will tidy your space and ease your mind!

- Annie 


Your home should be your sanctuary, a safe space where you can relax and get away from it all. But if you live in a space with no order, it can be difficult to actually unwind, even when you’re within the walls of your own home.

You should be able to enjoy the items in your home without feeling tense when you spot clutter. It’s about time to make space for the things you love!

Quickly glance at the surface areas in your home. Are there items that you like but don’t love? Do you have a beautiful picture of your family with no place to put it? Are all your surface areas covered with things?

Congratulations, you just conquered phase one of decluttering!

Now it’s time to put on some music, grab a box or a bag, and set your timer for five minutes.

Pick a room, look at the surfaces, and ask yourself this: 

  • Do I use these items?
  • Does this item work?
  • Do I love this item?


If you answered no, it’s time to donate these items and let them go to someone who will make better use of them!

It’s not always easy to comb through your belongings, but when you have a common goal in mind, it makes it a lot simpler.

If you have a gift from someone you love, take a picture of the item and cherish the memory, not the item! Before you buy more ‘stuff,’ ask yourself, "will I use this?” And before you buy multiples of something, consider if you have a place to store them? Can you maintain them, and do you really need two?

The key to success is finding a home for the items that you love!

​- Schedule 5-10 organizing days on your calendar.

- Have an accountability partner.

- Work when you have the most energy.

- Don’t tackle the whole space. Tackle one pile or shelf at a time.

Mid-Summer Reset: Declutter Your Home Before Summer Slips Away

By Annie Kilbride • July 22, 2026
July is the perfect time for a mid-summer reset. You don't have to organize your entire home in one weekend—small, intentional projects can make a big difference and help you enjoy the rest of the season. 01 Refresh the Entryway Put away winter leftovers, donate shoes no one is wearing, and create a convenient place for sunscreen, bug spray, hats, and beach bags. 02 Tackle the Garage Group similar items together, remove broken or unused equipment, and create designated storage zones with labeled bins and shelving. 03 Refresh Your Pantry Check expiration dates, organize snacks, and create grab-and-go stations to make summer meals and outings easier. 04 Simplify Kids' Spaces Donate outgrown clothes, rotate toys, and clear away school papers to prepare for a fresh start in the fall. 05 Prepare for Fall Early Whether you're planning a move, downsizing, helping aging parents, or getting your home ready to sell, a little preparation now will make fall much less stressful.

5 Ways to Simplify Your Home This Summer

By Annie Kilbride • July 2, 2026
Summer is finally here! With school ending, vacations beginning, graduation celebrations, and more time spent at home, June is the perfect month to create a calmer, more organized space. A little planning now can make your entire summer feel less stressful and more enjoyable. 01 Declutter Before Summer Activities Begin Focus on entryways, mudrooms, kitchen counters, playrooms, and garages. 02 Create a Summer Command Center Keep calendars, camp schedules, vacation plans, and important contacts in one place. 03 Prepare Guest Spaces Clear clutter, refresh linens, and create a welcoming space for summer visitors. 04 Tackle One Small Project at a Time Choose one space such as a pantry, linen closet, or bathroom cabinet and finish it completely. 05 Plan Ahead for Upcoming Moves Summer is one of the busiest moving seasons. Early planning reduces stress and saves time.

The New Year Reset: 10 Ways to get Organized and actually keep your Resolutions!

By Annie Kilbride • March 31, 2026
Hello friends, When the calendar flips to January, we’re suddenly flooded with possibilities of fresh starts, clean slates, and promises to ourselves that this is the year we’ll finally get organized. Organization isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating systems that make your life easier, calmer, and more intentional. 1. Start with on small space Instead of tackling the whole house, choose a single drawer, a nightstand, or a pantry shelf. Small wins create momentum. 2. Set realistic, measurable goals Replace 'Get organized' with specific, achievable goals. 3. Do a quick purge of everyday clutter Spend 10 minutes collecting items you no longer need. Immediate relief! A visual timer helps. See link below for a timer recommendation: https://a.co/d/jjDKhoB 4. Create homes for your most-used items A home for everything keeps chaos away. 5. Simplify your daily routines Prep the night before. Make mornings calmer. 6. Embrace the ‘One In/ One Out’ rule Maintain clutter-free spaces all year. 7. Use Visual Systems Labels, clear bins, color coding - especially helpful for kids and busy families. Kids do well with pictures and word labels. Link for products below: https://a.co/d/8uFMLzw 8. Schedule your organizing time If it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen. Consistence is key! 9. Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed Support accelerates success! 10. Celebrate progress, not perfection Every organized drawer is a success! Here’s to a simpler, lighter, more organized year ahead! Life Simplified is here to help you every step of the way!
Show More