The holidays are right around the corner — and if you’re anything like me, it’s a mix of excitement and chaos.
Between homeschool, therapies, family activities, travel and all the little things that sneak onto my to-do list, the holidays can start to feel like too much before they even begin.

But here’s what I’ve learned:
A calmer holiday season doesn’t start with doing more — it starts with doing a little at a time.
And it actually only takes 15 minutes to start.

Step 1: Do a 15-Minute Reset (Not a Full Clean)

Before the holidays hit full swing, I take 15 minutes a day to reset one small area of our home — just enough to make things feel calmer and lighter while keeping our home maintained.

I’ll:

• Clear the kitchen counters or entryway table.

• Wipe down the bathroom sink or clean the shower.

• Declutter one drawer or surface that’s been driving me crazy.

• Vacuum the floors — because I try to keep the dirt to a minimum.

It’s not about deep cleaning — it’s about creating a calm foundation and routines before the holiday décor comes out.

Calm begins before the chaos — and it starts with just 15 minutes.

Step 2: Reset Your Mindset

This season can make even the calmest mom feel stretched thin — trust me, I know. Before the calendar fills and the days are busy, I pause and ask:
What really matters to me this season?
What can I let go of this year?
What does peace look like for our family right now?

For me, peace means being intentional with my time, connecting with my family, enjoying slow mornings and cozy nights — and not saying yes to everything.
This mindset reset helps me approach the holidays with intention, not obligation.
It’s one of the biggest things that helps me stay ahead and not feel overwhelmed.

Step 3: Prep the Basics

To make life easier before the holidays hit full speed, I:

• Meal prep an extra meal on the weekends and freeze it. (You can also double one dinner a week and freeze the extra.)

• Restock paper goods, snacks and pantry staples.

• Plan one “reset” day the weekend before Thanksgiving.

These tiny steps save so much stress later — and help me feel more present when the season gets busy.

Step 4: Protect Your Peace

One thing I’m always intentional about is guarding our family’s margin. When invites come, I already know what I can say yes to — and what I’ll say no to.

Saying no to the things that drain us and yes to what brings connection and joy truly helps me avoid overwhelm and constant going. I learned that we don’t need to do it all and my family feels the same way.
A slower pace lets me enjoy the season instead of rushing through it.

💗 Friend, the holidays don’t have to start with stress.
Give yourself permission to slow down, start small, say no and build calm right where you are.
You don’t need to do everything — just pick what brings you joy and peace. 

And in the next blog, I’ll share how I decorate for Christmas — without the overwhelm.

If your home feels like it’s running on chaos instead of calm, The Simplified Home Course will walk you through the exact resets that help you feel grounded — no matter how busy the season gets.

Because peace doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from preparation.

👉 Start your reset today with The Simplified Home ➡️ here.