A Case for Implementing Daily Resets

A daily reset might sound obvious to some. Or exhausting to others.

For me, it’s what keeps layers of mess from building up and stressing me out when I examine the house.

You know the drill…

It’s that magical time of day where you look around, sigh deeply, and wonder how all these things ended up on your counters…again. Truly, sometimes I think stuff just grows up out of our kitchen island.

And yet, you might be surprised that it only takes 10-15 minutes of clearing off those flat surfaces in your main living areas to transform your home from “I’m drowning in stuff” to “I love this place.”

Here’s the rub: You’ll rarely feel like doing the daily reset. It’s like going to the gym – you’re always glad you did it after the fact, but getting yourself to take action is the worst. 

When it comes to our homes, some days you’re too tired to lift a finger, much less pick up all 85 Lego pieces that have somehow migrated to every room. Other days, the couch swallows you whole, and you’re like, “I have no problem relaxing, so why bother cleaning up the mess if it’s not bothering me?”

The challenge is just doing it, even when you really don’t want to. Because the goal is to not give the clutter a chance to form layers.

One layer of clutter is normal. You live in your house. Things will be thrown on the counter.

BUT multiple layers of stuff on top of stuff WILL begin to affect your wellbeing.

Bad news here– there is no silver bullet. Sometimes you truly do just have to buckle up and get that reset done. As my mom used to say, “Don’t try, just do!”

Good news? Once a daily reset is part of your routine, it’s like muscle memory—not to mention it’ll become easier the more you declutter what you own. (Pro tip: Only so many water bottles can be scattered across the house if each person just owns one.)

Here’s how to trick yourself into actually sticking with it: 

1. Lower your expectations. I mean, way lower. Focus on the essentials—your countertops, the coffee table, and anything your toddler can (and will) knock off. 

2. Use the timer trick. Set it for 10 minutes and go full speed. Your brain gets less overwhelmed when it knows there’s an end in sight – hence the timer. 

3. Enlist help. People ask me how I keep the house looking nice, and my answer is A) it only looks nice once a day, and B) I’m not a 1950s housewife who is in charge of the whole place on my own. The dishes get done because my husband does them. The markers get put away because my kids aren’t allowed TV time until they are. (Mean mom over here!) Admittedly, I do the majority of the reset, but I’m not flying completely solo.

Ultimately, a daily reset isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about reclaiming some sanity. You’re creating a space that’s not only less embarrassing if you have last minute guests (not that they should be judging you), but– more importantly– is stress-free. 

When you look around your home and see tidy, not-crammed spaces, your brain relaxes and it no longer feels like your house is yelling at you, saying “I’M DROWNING HALPPPP.”

Try it! Even if just for one week– choose the time of day you have the most energy and availability, and set a 10 minute timer to do a daily reset. See how it feels after 7 days and proceed accordingly!