Step One to Simplifying Your Home and Homeschool: Why Clearing Your Space Changes Everything

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Does homeschooling feel harder than it should? Are you buried under piles of curriculum, toys, laundry, and dishes—and no matter how much you plan, it still feels chaotic?

Here’s the truth: it’s not your fault. The problem isn’t you—it’s the clutter. And today, we’re talking about why clearing your space is the very first step to finding peace in your homeschool.

Clutter Blocks Clarity (Here’s Why We Start Here)

You might be thinking, “I just need a better routine, Laura. Once we get our schedule down, everything will flow.” But let me gently tell you—if your home is packed with clutter, no routine in the world will stick.

Clutter isn’t just physical; it’s mental. Every pile you see, every cupboard that won’t close, every random stack of papers in your homeschool room sends little stress signals to your brain. Neuroscience shows that clutter increases cortisol levels, making us feel more anxious and less able to focus.

Think about this: is there a space in your home that instantly makes your shoulders tense when you see it? That clenched jaw, that internal sigh—it’s your body saying, “I don’t feel safe.” And the reason why? The mountain of clutter.

I know this firsthand. Growing up, I wasn’t naturally organized. My childhood bedroom was so messy I literally hung a sign on my closet door that said: “Caution: Do Not Open. Avalanche Zone.”

For years, I believed organization was something you were either born with or not. Clearly, I wasn’t. But I later discovered that organization is a skill you can learn. Clearing the clutter isn’t about creating an Instagram-perfect home. It’s about creating room to breathe—physically and mentally.

Open, organized space immediately gives your brain the margin it needs to focus on what truly matters: connecting with your kids and creating a homeschool rhythm that sticks.

Imagine starting your day in a space that feels clear and calm. For me, it’s like a deep breath of fresh mountain air. So crisp, refreshing, and calming.

Before we talk about lesson plans, routines, or systems, we have to start here: creating space.

Decluttering Without the Overwhelm

I know decluttering can feel overwhelming. You might be tempted to pull everything out and do a huge weekend purge. Or maybe you’ve tried before and ended up surrounded by piles, more stressed than when you started.

Hear me loud and clear: that is NOT what I’m asking you to do.

Instead, I want you to start small—one surface, one shelf, one drawer. Why? Because when we try to tackle too much at once, our brain shuts down. Analysis paralysis takes over and we can’t even make the simplest decisions. But when we create one small win, we build momentum. We build up our decluttering muscles and we feel GOOD about the decisions we are making, which helps us make MORE good decisions.

Decluttering isn’t about becoming a minimalist or having a magazine-worthy house. Though, if your goal is minimalism, decluttering will absolutely get you there. It’s about creating an environment that supports your family and your homeschool, instead of working against you. Every item you release is one less thing you have to clean, manage, or stress about.

Here’s a truth I’ve learned: Clutter breeds chaos, but clarity begins with clearing out.

And friend, you don’t have to do it all today. You just have to do what sticks.

Your 10-Minute Quick Win

Let’s get practical. Here’s what I want you to do today: pick one small surface in your homeschool area that you could clear today—something that would give your brain a little breathing room.

Maybe it’s:
✨The dining room table
✨The counter where you stack all the books
✨Your desk
✨The shelf that’s overflowing with supplies

Set a timer for 10 minutes. That’s it. Ten minutes.

Clear just that one space. First, throw away all the trash—packaging, anything broken, or used up. Then do a quick glance and see if anything stands out that you don’t use, need, or want. Drop those items into a donate bag or box. Then grab anything that doesn’t belong in the space and put it where it belongs.

When you’re done, step back and notice how much lighter that one area feels. In just 10 minutes, you created a simpler, calmer space. That’s the feeling we’re going to create in your whole home—one step at a time.

It reminds me of when I first started simplifying our homeschool area. I had this corner of the dining room stacked high with workbooks, art supplies, and random papers. Every time I sat down to teach, I felt my stress levels spike. One day, I took 10 minutes to clear the table. I didn’t do the whole room—just the table. And the next morning? I felt calm when I sat down to teach. That one small step created ripple effects in my whole day.

So how would it feel for you tomorrow if you could sit down to teach without having to move a single pile first?

Imagine waking up tomorrow and not being greeted by chaos, but by a calm, clear space that welcomes you and your kids into learning.

Take Your First Step to Calm

If this resonates with you, and you’re ready to take your first step toward a calmer, more organized homeschool, I created something just for you. Download my free guide: Homeschool Simplicity Staples: 6 Sanity-Saving Tools to Kickstart Your Homeschool Organization.

These are the tools I swear by to bring calm, clarity, and control to your day fast. Your homeschool deserves more peace—and so do you.

Clear your space. Clear your mind. Teach with peace.