Messy Monday -> Makeover Monday: Rebelling Against the Mess

Rebelling Against the Mess

Sometimes, being the only person in the house who cares about clean gets… a little rebellious. You know that feeling when you’ve spent hours tidying, the kids have “helped” in their own creative ways, and then—bam!—the house is messy again five minutes later? Yeah, that’s when the tiny rebel in me comes out.

Sometimes I leave the cookbook out on the counter, not because I need it, but because why not? If the rest of the house is chaotic, what difference does it make if one extra thing is out? Or I might let the laundry pile sit for an extra day—or three—just to prove a point (to myself, mostly).

It’s not passive-aggressive. It’s self-preservation. A little moment of freedom in the constant battle against clutter. I’m not saying it solves the problem—obviously, it doesn’t. But it’s a reminder that I don’t have to be perfect, that a little imperfection won’t ruin our home, and that sometimes, letting go a bit actually helps me keep my sanity.

Plus, it’s kind of funny to watch the kids react. “Mom, why is that there?” “Because I said so… and maybe also because I needed a win today.”

Sometimes the only win I get is making sure we have a path to get out if our house catches on fire.

✨ Quick Clean Tip: Give yourself permission for small acts of controlled chaos. Let one small area stay imperfect for a day, or leave one item out intentionally. It’s a mental break, teaches kids that the house doesn’t have to be perfect to be loved, and keeps you from burning out trying to control everything. Yeah, I know, it's not easy.