New year resolutions are in full swing! You’ve committed to running, learning a new language, and baking a loaf of sourdough. 

Then, halfway through the month…your shoes haven’t left the closet, your language app is sending you aggressive warnings, and you’re buying bread from the store.

Resolutions often fail because we try to change our entire lives all at once. Instead of adding more to do, why not focus on subtraction? Specifically, try subtracting the clutter and mess that accumulated during the holiday break chaos. Who knows – a clean home could even help you get the mental focus you need to actually stick to your other goals.

Instead of a whole new you, let’s look at actually how to succeed in steps. 

Focus on small successes

When we resolve to clean the whole house, we usually give up by the time we hit the second baseboard. This year, ignore the guest room no one uses! Focus your energy on the three areas that actually affect your every day:

  1. Kitchen counters: If your counters are clear, your brain feels clearer. Check out these kitchen cleaning tips for a quick reset.
  2. The entryway: It’s the first thing you see when you come home. Stop piling shoes here to reduce immediate stress.
  3. The drop zone: We all have that one chair or table where we throw things until it gets to be a problem. Try clearing this once a week to prevent a mountain of clutter.

Resolution rescue

Feeling overwhelmed? Use just 15 minutes to get yourself in order.

  • Minute 0–2: The sweep. Grab a laundry basket. Walk through the main living area and toss in anything that doesn’t belong there (toys, mail, stray socks). Don't put them away yet - just get them out of sight.
  • Minute 2–7: The surface. Wipe down all the big surfaces, like the kitchen island and the coffee table.
  • Minute 7–12: The floor. Don't pull out the vacuum. Just get a broom to clear only the corners. Ignore the centers for now - we’re going for better, not perfect.
  • Minute 12–15: The refresh. Light a candle, return stray items to the right place, and take out the trash. Smelling and looking fresh!

Looking ahead 

The biggest resolution fail is thinking you have to do it all yourself. If your schedule is packed with new gym sessions or career goals, the cleaning is often the first thing to go. That’s where Merry Maids comes in. We provide the subtraction you need. 

Here’s how we can help you keep your promises to yourself:

  • Buying time: Instead of spending your weekend cleaning, you can spend it doing something new. Our recurring cleaning means you don’t have to choose between a clean home and your hobbies.
  • Professional consistency: While your motivation might lapse in February, our commitment to a clean home stays the same.
  • Expertise: We love the jobs you hate, and we’re much better at cleaning baseboards than we are at running marathons. See our specialty cleaning options.

Let us handle your house – you get back to that sourdough starter.

Contact us today!