I’m Naturally Messy. Here’s How I’m Becoming a “Clean Person.”

One of my most shameful habits is my lack of natural cleanliness.

Gross, I know.

But I’m not talking hygiene (I shower, promise). It’s just that I’m a naturally messy person in my external world. If left to my own devices, my car, house, office, and computer would be an absolute disaster. It goes against my internal grain to be clean, neat, and tidy.

I’m sure in comparison to some I’m a neat freak. But when I float room to room in my house, I sometimes feel a twinge of discomfort by what I see.

Laundry piling up in my bathroom. Hair in the shower. The kitchen counter collecting cleaning artifacts, dirty hand towels, an old cup. Blankets on my living room couch, tossed in a ball.

It’s not always like this. Sometimes I’ll tear around my house cleaning, putting things away, and feel an immediate sense of gratification afterward. As my mom would tell you, I was a messy kid. She wasn’t wrong, but the issue was that I assumed I had to stay that way as an adult.

If you also have a natural proclivity for being messy, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to recover. Over the years I’ve found real, practical ways to teach myself to become more neat and clean.

The best part is that being more clean and neat isn’t just an aesthetics thing. Far from it. It helps my mind feel more clear, free, and less cluttered. I feel more inclined to be creative. Even my mood improves throughout the day.

These aren’t crazy hacks or intended to make you feel crummy for not being clean. These are just a few simple habits to build into your day. Will you have the cleanest, most organized house on the block? Probably not. But it’s a starting point.

My Best Cleaning and Organizing Tips for People Who are Naturally Messy

Shift Your Identity First

But wait, what does this have to do with cleaning? I know — just hear me out.

My first piece of advice has nothing to do with cleaning or organizing. It’s about your mental state. I used to tell myself, “I’m just a messy person.” We crave consistency, and when we’re telling ourselves we “just are” a certain way, we’re more likely to behave that way.

How you talk to yourself matters more than you think.

So instead, I changed my mental narrative. I started to tell myself that I’m a clean and neat person. Was it entirely true? No. But the more I embraced that narrative and persona, the more I became that person.

You can try this tactic with things outside of cleaning. But in terms of being neat, it’s useful to get yourself into the mindset. You’ll be more inclined to behave in a way consistent with the label you ascribe to yourself. For me, this has been a game changer.

Give Every Item a Home

We have very limited storage in our home. It’s a constant struggle to find drawers, cabinets, and closets to fit all of our stuff. Therefore, a lot of items seem to get left out. Homeless. Floating on the counter or table, with no clear place.

Even with limited space, it’s important to make sure that even the smallest items have a home to go back to. This means a dedicated place the item belongs.

The other obvious benefit to making a home for every item, is that you’ll be able to find things easier. If you continually shift where you’re putting things, you’ll be more prone to misplacing items.

Bonus Tip: Leverage closed storage when you can. I try to buy almost exclusively closed storage furniture now. Limit your open shelving (which always sounds like a good idea but often turns out to be a disaster). I’m not saying go out and spend money on furniture, but if you’re replacing or adding a piece consider something with storage.

Use the 30-Second Room Sweep

I learned the concept of the room sweep recently, and it has had a substantial impact on my day-to-day cleanliness.

Each time you go into a room, spot one or two things that are out of place. Take 30 seconds to move them to their home. I do this regularly throughout the day, and it’s been a game changer for me.

It’s amazing how little effort it takes to keep a room neat when you take a few seconds to adjust here and there.

Design Your Home for Your Real Life

You want to be a clean person. And if you’re trying out my tips, maybe you tell yourself you’re a clean person. You believe it, and you’re starting to behave that way.

But what about that pile of laundry growing in the corner of the bathroom? Why can’t your towels ever make it to the hamper?

When you’re designing a room, consider planning for the lowest-energy version of yourself. Yep, assume the worst in yourself and set yourself up for success.

Set up the space so it’s especially easy to be clean and neat. In the case of laundry, maybe this means buying a few more hampers to scatter in various rooms. You may have the best intention of bringing the laundry to your bedroom hamper, but life happens.

Declutter Consistently, Not Perfectly

For someone like me who has very little space, it’s critical to regularly get rid of items and clothes. Some people apply a one-in-one-out principle, and this has worked well for me.

The more stuff you own, the harder it will be to keep a neat and tidy home. So, each time you buy something new, consider what you can get rid of, sell, or donate.

What a Cleaner Space Really Gives You

As we approach the new year, I’ve looked back on some of the cleaning and organizing habits I’ve made and kept this year. I’m still not as neat and clean as I’d love to be, but I’ve come a long way from my college days.

Everyone’s situation is different. Some people live alone. Some have a partner. Maybe you have kids, which makes this harder. But even if you pick one or two of these ideas to try during the week, you’ll see noticeable changes.

The best part of being clean isn’t what it looks like. It’s how you feel. It’s about keeping your outside world organized and free of clutter, so your mind can perform at its best.

If you’re a recovering messy person, I’m curious to know what’s been most helpful for you. Share in the comments!