The Organizer

Dear Devorah,

I was halfway through supper when my neighbor texted that she was “stopping by for a minute.” The house was flying  – kids everywhere, things on the floor, and nothing was where it belonged.

I panicked.

I know you say “function over perfection,” but when someone’s literally on their way in, is there a realistic, fast way to make things look… okay?

Sincerely,

Pretending I Have It Together

Dear Pretending,

Yes – it’s absolutely possible to make your home look presentable in just a few minutes. Not perfect, not magazine-worthy, but a quick, believable version of “we’re doing just fine over here,” even if there’s wet laundry in the hallway, couch cushions on the floor, and three half-finished sippy cups scattered around.

I call it the Mother-in-Law Reset, but it works for anyone who steps inside your home. This isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s about creating calm. A few intentional steps can shift the mood from “midday chaos” to “real life, gently contained.” Not perfect – but peaceful enough to take a breath, smile, and open the door without cringing.

Here’s how.

Step 1: Close the Doors

Start by taking a quick walk through the house and simply closing the doors.

Bedroom doors. Bathroom doors. Laundry room doors. Pantry doors. If it has a door and it’s not part of the moment, shut it. Same goes for any kitchen cabinets or drawers left open in the rush.

It takes ten seconds, but it changes everything.

When doors are open, the whole house feels louder and more exposed – like you’re unintentionally offering a full tour. Closing them instantly quiets the space. It gives the eye fewer places to look, and the brain fewer things to process.

You don’t have to fix every room. You just need to contain the view.

And honestly? You’ll feel calmer too. Because let’s be real – most of the mess lives behind those doors anyway.

 

Step 2: Clear the Surfaces

Okay, deep breath. The organizer in me is mildly horrified to say this – but when you’re in a pinch? Grab a laundry basket and start tossing.

Don’t sort. Don’t think. Just scoop: wrappers, papers, rogue socks, cereal boxes, someone’s mysterious art project. If it’s cluttering a surface, it goes in the basket.

And where does the basket go? Anywhere out of sight. Behind the couch. Under the table. Into the closet you closed in Step 1. This isn’t long-term organizing; it’s a three-minute illusion of calm.

Focus on the spots people see first:

● Kitchen counters

● Dining table

● Coffee tables and couches

Even if the sink is full and the floor’s a little questionable, clear surfaces make the whole house feel neater. They signal to your brain – and your guests – that things are under control.

And the basket? You can deal with it once your mother-in-law’s car pulls out of the driveway.

Step 3: Reset the Entryway

If there’s one category that makes a house look instantly messier, it’s outerwear. Coats, bags, sweatshirts – they seem magnetically drawn to the middle of the floor. Add a few shoes, a crumpled paper, and a forgotten lunchbox, and your entryway looks like it gave up before the day even started. 

So let’s reset it – fast.

Grab whatever’s been dropped: jackets, scarves, backpacks, that one random mitten. If you’ve got hooks, use them. If you don’t, improvise – the back of a chair, the banister, even a laundry basket will do. This isn’t about building the perfect mudroom. It’s about clearing the chaos people see the second they walk in. 

If the kids are around, loop them in. Little ones love having a “job,” and even a toddler can toss shoes into a bin or hang up a sweatshirt (ish). It doesn’t have to be perfect — just off the floor.

Clear the drop zone. Reclaim the floor. Save the long-term systems for later. Right now, the goal is simply to make it through the front door without anyone tripping over a backpack.

Step 4: Smile, Breathe, Let Them In

You did it. The house may still be far from perfect, but it’s pulled together enough that someone can walk in without you wanting to cry.

And even if your toddler is in pajamas at 2 p.m., the baby just spit up, and the sink is still full – you smiled. You took a breath. You opened the door.

Your home is allowed to look lived-in. You’re allowed to be in the middle of real life. And truthfully? That’s what makes a space feel warm and human.

So skip the apologies. No “Sorry it’s a mess.” Just smile and say, “Come in.” Like this is exactly how it was meant to be.

Bonus: The Daily Reset

Want to know the real secret to handling these moments better? Do the Mother-in-Law Reset… even when no one’s coming.

Once a day (or twice if you’re feeling ambitious), walk through your house and do a mini reset. Close the doors. Clear a surface or two. Toss the clutter into a basket if you need to. Straighten the entry. 

The only difference when you’re not in full panic mode? Give yourself a little more time to do it right. When you clear a surface, don’t just toss everything into a bin – put things back where they actually belong. Otherwise, come Monday morning, you’ll be digging through a mystery basket looking for your keys, your kid’s homework, and that library book that’s already overdue.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be finished. The goal isn’t a spotless house – it’s a calmer one. A home that feels like it has a rhythm, even if it’s a little messy. A day that ends with a bit more breathing room and a lot less overwhelm.

Because here’s the truth: even doing a small part of this reset each day helps. Not just for guests. For you. Your house will feel more manageable, your mornings smoother, and your surprise visits way less terrifying.

 

Final Thoughts 

You’re not lazy. You’re not messy. You’re a mother with a full house and a full life.

You don’t need to clean your whole house before someone walks through the door. You just need a 3-minute plan – and the confidence to trust it’s enough. Because it is.

And the next time someone texts, “Pulling in now!” – you’ll be ready.

Now take a deep breath… and open the door.

You’ve Got This.

Happy Organizing,

Devorah