Cleaning Up Your To-Do List: Home Projects
In the busy rhythm of our everyday lives, it can be easy to let unfinished home projects pile up on our to-do lists. We all have those little things around the house that we intend to get to eventually, but never seem to find the time for. We’ve got several each! However, having unfinished projects hanging over our heads can add unnecessary stress to our daily lives. These unfinished projects can keep us from enjoying our homes and achieving goals–and that’s never ideal. The good news is that tackling these projects can not only help declutter our homes, but also our minds. Here are some tips for cleaning up your to-do list by tackling unfinished home projects (and what’s on our own lists)!
Prioritize
Firstly, prioritize your projects. Take a look at your to-do list and decide which projects are most important to you. Which ones have been bothering you the most? Which ones will make the biggest impact on your daily life once they’re completed? By prioritizing your projects, you can focus on the ones that matter most and make progress more efficiently.
I, Shan, recently had floating shelves installed in my kitchen after waiting months. The whole project was done in about 30 minutes by a handyman and it felt SO GOOD to get that off my to-do list! I hadn’t realized what a weight it had become, but now I really appreciate having new, beautiful shelves to use and enjoy every day.
Break it Down
Once you’ve prioritized your projects, break them down into smaller tasks. Sometimes the reason we avoid starting a project is because it feels too overwhelming. By breaking it down into smaller tasks, you can make it feel more manageable. For example, if your goal is to declutter your closet, break it down into tasks such as “sort through shirts”, “donate old clothes”, and “organize remaining clothes by color”. By tackling one task at a time, you’ll be more likely to make progress and feel accomplished along the way.
Jenna recently cleaned and organized all the closets in her house. It was a huge undertaking, but she found success–and cooperation–by breaking down the process into small, easy tasks. For example, instead of asking her children to clean their own closets, Jenna had each child sit down and respond with “keep” or “donate” to every piece of clothing she held up.
Doable Deadlines
Next, set realistic deadlines for yourself. It’s easy to put things off when there’s no deadline in sight. By setting a deadline, you’ll be more motivated to get the project done. However, make sure your deadlines are realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure by giving yourself an unrealistic timeframe to complete a project. Be honest with yourself about how much time you realistically have to work on a project each day or week. We’ve always found that there’s no motivation to cross things off our list like inviting people over!
One of the biggest items on Jenna’s to-do list is finishing her fireplace. This project is a priority, but is much more involved and time-consuming than a quick shelf install. Make sure you prioritize your list in a realistic way.
Many Hands Make Light Work
Another tip is to enlist the help of friends or family members. Not only can they provide extra motivation and accountability, but they can also make the process more enjoyable. Turn a project into a fun activity by inviting a friend over to help paint a room or organize a closet. Plus, having an extra set of hands can make the project go by more quickly.
I’ve been thrifting picture frames to create a gallery wall on our stairs. It’s been a slower process, but Max and I love looking for frames together! Not only do I have a shopping buddy and helper, but this project has quickly become “ours” and not just mine.
Celebrate!
Lastly, celebrate your progress along the way. It’s important to acknowledge the hard work you’ve put in and celebrate your accomplishments. Maybe that means taking a break to enjoy a cup of coffee after finishing a task or treating yourself to something you’ve been wanting once the project is completed. By celebrating your progress, you’ll be more motivated to continue tackling your to-do list.
Cleaning up your to-do list by tackling unfinished home projects may seem daunting, but it’s worth it in the end. By prioritizing your projects, breaking them down into smaller tasks, setting realistic deadlines, enlisting help from friends and family, and celebrating your progress along the way, you can finally cross those projects off your to-do list and feel a sense of accomplishment. Not only will your home be more organized and functional, but your mind will be decluttered as well. So why not start today?
