Melissa Michaels
About the Author

Melissa Michaels is the NY Times Bestselling author of Love The Home You Have and The Inspired Room book. Her blog, The Inspired Room, was voted Better Homes & Gardens Readers' Favorite decorating blog in 2014 and 2015. Melissa is a church planter's wife and a mom to three human kids and...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Melissa,
    I agree that an “attitude of gratitude” sets the course for the day. Having worked with the poorest of the poor in the Middle East in our ministry has really changed my attitude. Instead of “I have to vacuum my house”….”I am thankful I have a roof over my head with carpets to vacuum” (most of the children we serve are either orphans or so impoverished that they are fortunate to have mud floors and a living space the size of my kitchen). Thanking God for what I get to do vs. have to do reminds me of all the blessings He’s showered me with.

    When it comes to clutter and knowing where to start, I am like a deer in the headlights. Get someone who is good at this sort of thing to help guide you -in this case I’m thankful to have an organized, non-clutterbug husband who helps me set goals of today, clean out these two drawers….that’s it. It’s amazing how cleaning out and organizing just two drawers helps me feel better about things. Baby steps of progress eventually lead to a simpler, more relaxing home. I will always have to fight my inner clutterbug, but I do find that simplified and cleared off spaces put my heart at ease. If I do nothing else, I make the bed. Something about climbing into a made bed at night that says, “Hey, I accomplished something today.” Start simple and build has been my strategy. Thanks for the reminders to keep at it!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  2. Yesterday I wrote the words “closet” and “book cases” on my summer to-do list. I really need to throw out or give away enough stuff to rid myself of the claustrophobia I feel in both those places, and I appreciate this inspiration today, showing me that this is more than just a mundane task: it’s a decision to enhance peace in my home.
    Thank you!

  3. Melissa,

    I am a constant declutter bug. Can’t stand any clutter. Often I go through closets, drawers, etc. & get rid of clothes. I also go through the house looking for items to rid us of. For one thing it makes me feel good to know someone-less fortunate than I-will be able to use those clothes and items. Another way to transform a home is to clean a room one small section at a time. Don’t be overwhelmed by the big picture-break it up into tiny bite sized pieces. You will be amazed at how much calmer and better you feel knowing you accomplished something.

    Blessings 🙂

  4. Very timely article for me. Trying to tame this beast in my life. I just recently ran across the Learn.Do.Become method and it seems to meet you right where you are…that is if you live in chaos like me. I’m guessing the couple that run it are Christians based on how they bring up church and teach some good Godly principles. I’ve just started it, but thought I’d share in case someone else needed an extra level of “help.” 🙂

  5. I’ve been going through papers, the dining room table is a catch all for junk mail, and I must learn to be thankful for those who miss the trash can and the spills running down the side and the can’t replace toilet paper people even though it is right there.
    Sometimes I think dusting my house is like me throwing it around, the more I do it the more comes back. And I’m feeling a little closed in, forget yard selling in this heat, it’s going to Goodwill. Thanks for the reminder to brighten even a corner.

  6. I have just two things to say in reply to this post:

    Thank you for the encouragement; your timing is impeccable. Feeling beyond overwhelmed.

    • A great group I have found is Declutter My Home on FB. Everyone is so encouraging and people post pictures of what they’ve done.

    • I am right with you @ Brenda. Thank you also @ Denise. Learned so much. Very Overwhelmed.

  7. Wonderful post!!! Definitely great advice. And… I love your witty sense of humor!

  8. I love your ideas on ways to ‘transform our homes into a peaceful sanctuary’. I most identify with the need to have gratitude for the “chaos makers” – they truly bring the joy with the mess – and our attitude towards both is at the heart of every transformation. Thanks for the sweet reminders!

  9. Getting started on a distasteful project is the hardest part. But once I’m in the middle of the closet-decluttering, baseboard dusting, or upholstery cleaning, I find it easier to keep going. Just knowing that helps me take those first few steps. Thank you, Melissa, for the reminder that “a full and meaningful life will always go hand in hand with at least a little mess.” Perfection is not the goal; order and general cleanliness is good enough.

  10. I have read everyone comments on this..and it makes me more discouraged than ever, Why? you ask, my home isnt my home so to say, I live in a very cluttered and disorganized home. my husband is a hoarder and I am not allowed to move anything, clean anything, organize anything..my husband goes ballistic. my home is so un-peaceful and chaotic that I feel there is never going to be peace and clutter free. any suggestions would be appreciated.

    • Hi Renae,

      I’m so sorry you are in a situation that is so discouraging to you. I can feel your pain, besides the cluttered home I know your heart is tender. Is there any spot in your home that you can claim for yourself? That’s where I would start if it is possible. One corner, one table, one room, one closet, one front porch, one nightstand, really any spot in your home that you can claim as a clutter free zone for yourself. It might not seem like much right now, but it might give you some joy and a spot to start. Make it pretty, look at it often and enjoy it. I’m praying for that to be possible for you, let me know if you are able to claim that spot. I’ll keep praying.

      Melissa