Let It Snow, Let It Go: Decluttering Without the Stress

Snow days: magical for kids, mildly chaotic for adults. Between juggling work, restless children, and the growing urge to hibernate under a pile of blankets, the last thing on your mind is decluttering. But hear me out—this unexpected day at home is prime time to tackle some clutter without it feeling like a chore. Bonus: You’ll actually be able to find the gloves, hats, and mismatched mittens before next winter.

1. Declutter Like You’re on a Time Crunch (Because You Are)

You may have a long to-do list, but that Zoom meeting isn’t going to cancel itself. Pick quick, high-impact decluttering tasks that take 15 minutes or less. Some ideas:

Tame the entryway – Put away abandoned boots, sort through the pile of scarves, and finally return that one mitten to its long-lost mate (or admit defeat and toss it).

Toss the fridge science experiments – Snow days = soup days. Clear out expired condiments and mystery leftovers so you actually have space to store that big pot of chili.

Rescue your coffee table – If your coffee table is buried under remotes, magazines, and who-knows-what, reclaim it. Your future snow-day self will thank you.

2. Keep the Kids Busy Without Adding to the Mess

If the kids are home from school, you already know—keeping them entertained is a full-time job. Here’s how to turn their energy into productivity:

The “Museum Curation” Game – Have them go through their toys, books, or stuffed animals and pick out ones they no longer love. Frame it as “donating to kids who need them more.”

The Missing Puzzle Piece Hunt – Put them on a mission to find all the missing game pieces, LEGO bricks, and puzzle parts that have mysteriously disappeared under the couch. Anything incomplete? Time to say goodbye.

The 10-Minute Tidy Challenge – Set a timer and challenge them to clean up as much as they can in 10 minutes. Winner gets extra marshmallows in their hot cocoa.

3. Multitask Like a Snow Day Pro

Still have to work? No problem. Sneak in decluttering between emails and calls:

Digital Declutter – Delete old emails, organize your desktop, and clear out downloads that are taking up space.

The Quick Bookshelf Sweep – Do a speed round of “Keep, Donate, or Toss” with books you haven’t touched in years.

Tackle the Junk Drawer – While waiting for a meeting to start, grab the junk drawer and purge anything broken, useless, or unidentifiable.

4. Make Decluttering Feel Like a Treat (Not a Punishment)

Let’s be real—no one wants to spend their snow day scrubbing floors. But decluttering? That’s another story if you do it right.

Set the Vibe – Put on a cozy playlist, light a candle, and make decluttering feel more like a self-care ritual than a chore.

Declutter + Binge-Watch – Fold clothes, sort through paperwork, or declutter the junk drawer while catching up on your favorite guilty pleasure show.

Reward Yourself – Once you’ve tackled a few areas, reward yourself with a snow day treat—hot cocoa, a movie, or that long-overdue nap.

5. Embrace the “Good Enough” Approach

Snow days are unpredictable, and sometimes the biggest win is just surviving the day without losing your mind. If all you manage to declutter is the kitchen counter or a single drawer, that’s still progress!

So, grab a cup of coffee, put on your coziest socks, and get started—one small task at a time. When the snow melts, you’ll be left with a home that feels lighter, fresher, and a little less chaotic. And let’s be honest, isn’t that the real winter miracle?