15 Minutes :: A Game Changer to Getting Things Done Around the House

The clutter and constant clean up … it’s draining. There’s the everyday clean up, laundry, etc., but what about other cleaning projects that you never seem to have time to get done? Like the seasonal transition of kids’ clothes because they grow so darn fast?! Or the toys and clutter that grow overnight or the ever expanding junk drawer?!

The constant chase of always feeling behind on straightening up was getting to me. I had to do something about it. So I decided to start small and short to see what I could accomplish. I wanted to do something to get the extra projects done that seem to never get done in my house.

I started with 15 minutes and a timer. 

It’s that easy and simple. I set a 15 minute timer and race against the timer to see how much I can get done in those 15 minuters. That’s it.

15 minutes a day, a couple times a week has been my own personal ticket to the clutter-free home journey I’ve been on.  

Cleaning all at once seemed daunting and too much to handle. I didn’t have hours to spend decluttering. So I devised a plan, a 15 minute plan. 

Hear me out … it is a process, but it has been working for me, and I hope it can work for you too. 

Decide on one small task you want to start with. Is it to clean a junk drawer, purge your kids’ clothes that they have outgrown, or go through a pile of papers? Pick one thing.

Then grab a timer. Try not to use your phone because if someone calls or texts during the 15 minutes, you might be tempted to stop and get distracted. Maybe it’s your oven or if you must use your phone, put it in a different room so you aren’t distracted.   

Set the timer for 15 minutes and go! 15 minutes of full focus, no distractions, and race the timer. 

For me, 15 minutes is short enough that I can focus and move faster because I know I have a limited amount of time. 

When the 15 minutes is up, stop and come back tomorrow. Have an open mind that this is a work in progress. One time, I left a pile of clothes on the floor and came back the next day when I started the timer again. Often when the timer goes off, I am in a grove and go 5 more minutes. 

Maybe it’s the pressure of the deadline that I feel more accomplished when its done. Like in college, staying up the night before a paper or project was due to get it done. 

15 minutes has added up and allowed me to really work through different spaces in my home.

Try it for a week. Before you know it more will be done than you ever expected!

Do you have any quick clean up or declutter tricks? Let us know!

Robyn Bruno
Robyn is a New Orleans Native, mom to Anthony (5), Scarlett (4), and Violet (0). She has been married to her husband, Joseph, for 11 years and currently resides in Metairie. She went to Dominican, later graduated from LSU, and after found a passion for real estate where she now is an Associate Broker for Mirambell Realty for the last 14 years. When she’s not touring homes and neighborhoods, she’s chasing her kiddos, living vicariously through them, and exploring the city. She’ll never pass up an opportunity to eat crawfish, loves a good cup of coffee, an ice cold Purple Haze, is hoping to get her running shoes back on again soon.

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