How I Curate a Home That Runs Itself (Almost)
Introducing “Total Home Optimization” by TimeTrek Mama
In my little corner of the internet, I talk a lot about homeschooling - the modern kind, where we do our best to hold onto traditional values but also see the need to adapt in a changing world. But homeschool doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in a home, run by a mom, and that home needs systems that work with her, not against her.
That’s where Total Home Optimization comes in. It’s not about mindless routines or running on autopilot. It’s about designing a home that anticipates needs, smooths out friction, and frees up mom’s energy for what actually matters.
Over time, I’ve put together a collection of systems that act as a second brain guiding my daily tasks. It cuts down on decision fatigue, and keeps things from spiraling to actual childhood chaos. Maybe you have some systems too - like a mental checklist to make sure you’ve got what you need before you leave the house or a way you organize your groceries by grouping the cold items in case you can’t get the groceries in right away.
Here are a few of my (unspoken) systems:
🛁 The Shower Fail-Safe – My shampoo, conditioner, and soap start on the top shelf. As I use each one, I move it to the bottom shelf. When I’m done, everything goes back up. Why? Because busy moms don’t need to step out of the shower only to realize they forgot to wash their hair.
🥣 The Baking System – Before I start, I pull everything onto the counter. Two reasons: 1) It makes sure I have all the ingredients before I start. 2) As I use each item, I put it away, which means I never leave a mess behind.
🛒 Never Running Out of Essentials – I hate realizing we’re out of something, but I also don’t have the pantry space (or budget) for a ton bulk buying all at once. Instead, I use the space I do have and the wiggle room in my budget to mindfully prepare - protecting us for when times are hard.
Laundry, budgeting, cleaning… every system in my home is intentional, designed to lighten my mental load. I don’t want to spend my days reacting to problems - I want to put solutions in place before the problems come up.
Because life happens, and I don’t need my home working against me when it does. These little systems don’t just keep the house running, they create space for what actually matters.
And now, on Fridays, I’m sharing them.
Xoxo,
TimeTrek Mama
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