Here are some little changes you can make in your home this year that will have a big impact.
1. No Devices at the Table
Disconnect while eating together as a family. Bright screens will inevitably be a distraction and will inhibit good conversation and discussions throughout your meal.
2. Keep the Toilet Seat Down When Not in Use
Save the next person from falling in. Plus, it will just make your bathroom look more pulled together.
3. Make the Bed Every Morning
Make it a habit to start your morning by accomplishing this task. What seems like a simple chore can actually set you up for a more productive day.
4. Dirty Stuff Goes in the Hamper
Piles of dirty clothes around the house create chaos before bedtime. Professional organizer, Erin Rooney Doland, recommends getting ready for bed an hour before you plan to go to sleep so that you have the mental and physical energy to file away clothes. This way, you’re less apt to succumb to the floor drop.
5. Open the Blinds or Curtains
Natural light can immediately give your mind a boost of energy and help you get the day started on the right foot.
6. Wipe Bathroom and Kitchen Surfaces Immediately
Hard, dried food particles and old toothpaste chunks are not only gross, but are also harder to clean after they have been drying for some time.
7. Don’t Ask Where Something Is Unless You’ve Already Looked in the Logical Places
This is especially important to implement if you have little ones.
8. If You Use Something Up, Write It Down on the Shopping List
Were you the last one to finish the dish soap or laundry detergent? Save yourself from going without your needed supplies and make sure it’s purchased on the next run to the grocery store.
9. Dishes Get Washed After Every Meal, or At Least Before Bed
Waking up to a full sink of dirty dishes can cause bad smells and bugs. Make it a team effort so you can tackle the task together.
10. Fill Up What’s Empty
Don’t leave a finished roll of cardboard next to the toilet—change it out for a new one. You’ll save the next person aggravation on their bathroom break.
This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Biden Dropped Out
- Ukraine’s Plan to Survive Trump
- The Rise of a New Kind of Parenting Guru
- The Chaos and Commotion of the RNC in Photos
- Why We All Have a Stake in Twisters’ Success
- 8 Eating Habits That Actually Improve Your Sleep
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Get Our Paris Olympics Newsletter in Your Inbox
Contact us at letters@time.com