Order In The Chaos: How I Keep Our Home (Somewhat) Together

Five years ago, I lived alone. My apartment was quiet, my schedule was predictable, and keeping things clean was… easy. Fast forward to today, and my life is unrecognizable. In just five years, I got married, had two babies, and added two large, very hairy dogs to the mix. The quiet, controlled environment I once had? Gone. Now, there are toys scattered across the floor, laundry that somehow multiplies overnight, and dogs who act like they own the place.

And yet, in the middle of all this beautiful chaos, I’ve found a way to create a sense of order—not by keeping a perfectly clean house, but by building simple routines that make our home feel comfortable, welcoming, and peaceful.

Letting Go of Perfection

For a while, I thought I had to keep up with it all—the dishes, the laundry, the endless trail of toddler messes. I wanted our home to feel put-together, but I also didn’t want to spend every waking second cleaning. The breakthrough came when I stopped aiming for spotless and started focusing on functional.

My goal isn’t to have a house that looks like nobody lives here. (Spoiler: four humans and two dogs definitely live here.) Instead, I want our home to feel warm and inviting—a place where my family can relax, where friends can drop by without warning, and where I’m not constantly drowning in undone tasks.

The Power of a Basic Routine

I knew I needed some kind of structure, but with little kids and unpredictable days, I also knew a strict schedule wasn’t going to work. So instead, I built a few really basic habits that help keep things running without taking over my life.
• The Morning Reset – I start my day with a quick 5-10 minute tidy-up. I do some dishes, wipe down the counters, and do a super-fast reset of the main living space. It’s not deep cleaning—just enough to start fresh.
• One Load of Laundry a Day – If I don’t stay on top of laundry, it buries me. So I try to wash, dry, and fold at least one load a day. Some days I actually put it away. Some days it sits in a basket. But at least it’s clean!
• Evening Tidy-Up – Right before the kids go to bed, we do a quick five-minute cleanup. My daughter helps (in her own toddler way), and it prevents the mess from fully taking over.

That’s it. No crazy systems, no color-coded charts. Just simple habits that keep me from feeling like I’m constantly playing catch-up.

Homemaking as a Catholic Mom

As I’ve adjusted to this new season of life, I’ve realized that keeping a home isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about creating an environment where my family can thrive. A space that reflects the kind of peace and love we want to live out as Catholics.

“But all things should be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40

God created order out of chaos, and while my house will never be perfectly in order, I can still do my best to create a home that feels peaceful, even in the mess. That means welcoming people in, even when there are dishes in the sink. That means seeing laundry and meal prep as acts of service, not just chores. That means remembering that true peace isn’t found in a spotless house—it’s found in a home filled with love, laughter, and the presence of God.

Embracing the Chaos (and Keeping It Manageable)

Some days, the house is a wreck. Some days, I fall behind on everything. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s peace. By keeping up with just a few small routines, I feel like I can enjoy my family and my home without constantly feeling overwhelmed.

So if you’re in a season where your house feels like a never-ending mess, know that you’re not alone. Take a deep breath, start small, and remember: your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be a place of peace.