28 Jan Messy Little Life: Creating Cleaning Systems That Actually Work
Does “Messy Little Homeschool” mean we have a messy home?
Honestly? Sometimes, yes.
And that’s something I’m working to change.
So, the thing is: I have such an organized heart. I can envision beautifully streamlined systems, color-coded schedules, and a home where everything has its place. But bringing that vision into reality? That’s where I struggle.
I’m not a finisher of things. I’ll take a project to about 80% completion and then… abandon it. The pantry gets partially organized. The closet gets halfway sorted. The playroom almost reaches perfection before I move on to the next thing.
And perfectionism? It’s both my motivation and my roadblock. If I can’t do something perfectly, I often don’t do it at all. Which means the dishes pile up because I can’t commit to the perfect dishwashing routine, or the laundry overflows because my ideal folding-and-putting-away system hasn’t materialized yet.
Add ADHD to the mix, and you’ve got a brain that craves structure but rebels against rigid systems that don’t account for real life.
So I’m kind of done waiting for perfect. I’m done leaving things undone because they can’t be done just right.
Come Along With Me
I’m creating cleaning and organizing systems that actually work for my ADHD brain… and maybe for yours too.
These won’t be perfect solutions, do those exist?! Let me know! They’ll be real, messy, in-progress systems that embrace the 80% completion rate instead of fighting it. They’ll account for the days when executive function is nowhere to be found and the weeks when homeschool takes every ounce of energy I have.
Just like our homeschool philosophy: Learning Is Messy, Embrace It!
Well, guess what? Living is messy too. And I’m ready to embrace that while still working toward a home that supports our family instead of overwhelming us.
I’ll be sharing:
- Cleaning routines designed for ADHD brains
- Systems that work even when you can’t do them perfectly
- How to actually finish organizing projects (or redefine what “finished” means)
- Real-life before-and-afters, mess and all
- What works, what doesn’t, and how I’m adjusting along the way
*Quick note: Some links in this section are affiliate links. I only recommend products my family actually uses. When you buy through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting MLH!*
Supplies I Actually Use
Here’s what’s actually in my cleaning cabinet. These are the tools that make the routine work, nothing fancy, just the stuff that actually gets used every single week.
Visual Timer
Keeps the adults & kids on task. Game-changer for time management.
👉 [Get the Timer on Amazon]
ClearSpace Clear Plastic Storage Bins
See what’s inside, stackable, durable. Perfect for organizing cleaning supplies by room.
👉 [Get Storage Bins on Amazon]
Brother P-Touch Label Maker
Labels everything. Makes organizing feel official (even if it’s really not).
👉 [Get Label Maker on Amazon]
Magnetic Dry Erase Chore Chart
For the daily/weekly chores. Reusable. The boys like having something to manually and visually check off.
👉 [Get Chore Chart on Amazon]
PAPERAGE To Do List Notepad
My personal planning tool. ADHD-friendly, visual.
👉 [Get Planner Pad on Amazon]
Removable Labels
For pantry organization, storage bins, everything. Stock these.
👉 [Get Labels on Amazon]
Because if I can teach my twin boys that learning doesn’t have to be perfect to be valuable, then I can apply that same grace to how I manage our home.
This is Messy Little Life, where we’re figuring it out as we go, one imperfect system at a time.
Ready to implement the system? Get the printable here!
What cleaning or organizing struggle resonates most with you? Drop a comment below or send me a message, tell me everything, I need to know! I’d love to hear what systems you have in place or you’re trying to build!
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