Keeping a home clean can feel like an uphill battle. There’s always more laundry, more dishes. The trash seems never-ending. And even when I finally get things in order, there’s an adorable toddler pulling toys out again and saying, “play, Mommy!” 

We moved into our house in September 2024 and it’s taken quite a few iterations of a cleaning routine to find something that works. Now that we’ve been through all seasons once (plus Christmas twice!), I’m happy with the system I’ve created. 

Like a lot of moms I know, I didn’t set out to build my life around a screen. It just… happened. Somewhere between grocery lists, calendars, podcasts, notes apps, social media, and “just one quick check,” my phone quietly became the default tool for nearly everything. And while technology can be helpful, I’ve noticed that it’s also been shaping my attention, my patience, and my ability to be fully present in ways I don’t always like.

So in 2026, I’m intentionally going more analog.

The first week of November might seem early to start thinking about Christmas in our homes, but I’m a sucker for early planning and I’m already wearing a Christmas sweater. I absolutely love the Christmas season and Christmas Day is my favorite day of the year. So in order to truly feel present and peaceful for my favorite time of the year, I’m preparing my home (and my heart, but that’s a separate post!) early. Planning ahead gives me and my family space to enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

As you may have guessed with the existence of this blog, I’m a bit of a planner. But I don’t want to box myself into a “perfectly” planned and curated Christmas - I want a truly joyous and peace-filled Christmas that I’ve prepared my heart and home for.