How to Conquer Home Clutter Without Burnout: One Room at a Time - with Naomi Marks
Discover a simple, sustainable yearly house cleaning plan that helps Christian homemakers stay organized, cheerful, and free from overwhelm.
Naomi Marks is a homemaker who lives in a bustling parsonage filled with books, music, and children. Though it may never be perfectly clean, Naomi has discovered a method for maintaining order and cheerfulness in her home that removes the guilt and discouragement so many homemakers feel. She doesn’t aim for perfection, but for consistency—and that mindset shift has made all the difference.
Why Naomi Created a Yearly House Cleaning Plan
With a full house and constant activity, Naomi realized she couldn’t keep everything clean at once. She was overwhelmed by the sense that everything was always behind. Inspired by the idea of baby steps and cheerful consistency, she created a rotating plan: each month would focus on one major room in her house.
By cycling through the entire house each year, she removed the burden of feeling like every closet, drawer, or corner had to be spotless all the time. Instead, she had confidence knowing that each area would get its turn.
"I know that drawer was cleaned once this year and it will be cleaned again next year."
How Her 12-Month Housework Rotation Works
Naomi broke her home into twelve main areas and assigned one room to each month. Then she made a list of 15-minute tasks—never more than 25 per room—and put them into a bingo board. Some tasks were as small as one drawer, one shelf, or one cupboard.
She doesn’t force herself to clean every day, but she always knows where to start when she has time. Sometimes she completes one task per day. Sometimes she does several in a burst. The flexibility helps her stay motivated and consistent.
What Makes Naomi's Plan Effective
This slow-and-steady approach isn’t just practical. It’s freeing. Naomi isn’t cleaning for aesthetics or praise. She’s tending her space with peace and purpose.
- It removes guilt. She no longer feels weighed down by what hasn’t been done.
- It adds clarity. Each month, there’s one clear focus.
- It’s sustainable. Every year the work gets lighter.
- It aligns expectations. She’s building a functioning household, not staging a magazine shoot.
She sees each drawer, shelf, or cupboard as a meaningful piece of a larger whole. By tackling them one at a time, she avoids overwhelm and experiences regular wins.
How She Involves Her Family in Housekeeping
Naomi’s strategy includes help. Her kids pitch in with small jobs like emptying and wiping cupboards. She offers 15 minutes of iPad time as a reward, which gets the job done—and lets her stay focused.
Even her husband asked for a copy of her cleaning chart so he could help hold the kids accountable. Naomi appreciates the structure because, as she puts it, "The system is good. The system is run by all of us who are often lazy and tired."
The more the whole family knows what’s expected, the more smoothly things run. It’s not about a perfect system—it’s about building a cooperative and cheerful rhythm at home.
Start With What You Can Do
Even in years where unexpected messes or emergencies throw off the plan, Naomi simply rearranges. One year she had to reorganize a whole room due to a sewer leak. It wasn’t on the calendar, but it got done—and then she adjusted the rest.
She encourages homemakers to work with the seasons. In her own life, she plans more indoor projects for January through March when life is quieter. She saves lighter or shared spaces for summer when the kids are more available.
"If every day of the year you're cleaning one 365th of your house, it feels like you're getting nowhere. But if you have a plan and can see your progress, it changes everything."
Why This Plan Isn’t Just About Cleaning
Naomi’s goal isn’t to have a spotless house—it’s to cultivate a joyful, functional home where people thrive. Every small task supports that bigger mission.
"I’m not doing this to show it off to anybody. I’m doing it so I have peace in my own heart and I can find what I need when I want it."
Instead of chasing perfection, she builds habits that keep the house running. Instead of getting stuck in discouragement, she stays in motion. And instead of going it alone, she invites her family to join the mission.
"Ultimately, it’s about being free to do what God calls me to do next—without tripping over laundry or digging for clean underwear."
How to Start a Yearly House Cleaning Plan
If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, Naomi recommends:
- Break your home into monthly zones.
- Brainstorm 15-minute tasks in each zone.
- Write it down or use a bingo board.
- Do what you can, when you can.
- Adjust the plan as needed—but keep going.
Naomi’s approach reminds us that progress in homemaking isn’t about speed or spectacle. It’s about faithfulness—cheerfully stewarding what we’ve been given, one drawer, one shelf, and one day at a time.
Your routines should fit your life.
This guide will help you set up housecleaning routines that work with your preferences, home, and schedule.
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