September reminded me (again) that transitions aren’t won in grand overhauls but in small, intentional moves… one checklist on the fridge, one drawer reset, one honest question at a time. Between season changes, new routines, and the whirl of back-to-school, I kept circling back to one line: Do I have to clean up this mess right now?
Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s not yet. And sometimes it’s a clear no. These Tidy Takeaways are a gentle map for riding the September storm, choosing what matters, letting some messes wait, and moving forward with just enough.
Do I Have to Clean Up This Mess?
Part of my September “back-to-school plan” wasn’t just sharpening last year’s colored pencils to make them look brand-new or restocking the snack shelf with protein bars. It was streaming The Paper, the long-anticipated spinoff of The Office. And the fact that it premiered on our very first day of school? That felt like a gift.
I’ve always loved The Office for the way it celebrates ordinary life, with humor tucked into the most mundane and absurd moments. In The Paper, Ned, the new editor-in-chief of The Truth Teller, stumbles from one mess to another, yet never loses his drive to keep going or his love for the profession of journalism. Stories pile up everywhere, and so do the messes. It’s like he constantly asking, “Do I have to clean up this mess?”
That question started rattling around in my head one late August day at Hershey Park, standing in line while my girls rode ride after ride after ride. I immediately sent a voice memo to myself that simply said: Do I have to clean up this mess?
It’s a bold question for a self-described Tidy Dad, who’s become internationally known for inspiring others to clean up messes by implementing his daily and weekly routines. (It feels a bit weird to be talking about myself in third person.)
But as that question popped into my head, I was in a late-summer funk, mentally and emotionally. I was trying to hold gratitude for our time away at the cottage while also bracing for the emotional load of teaching a new group of students and transitioning my own kids back to school. I was asking myself whether everything really had to be “cleaned up” all at once. Life felt a bit messy.
I’m learning that when I ask, “Do I have to clean this up?” the answer isn’t always the same. Sometimes it’s yes, right now. Sometimes it’s not yet. Sometimes it’s a clear no.
Take Ned, for example. He dreams of publishing a local paper with original stories, yet has no budget and has to lean on a toilet paper salesman and a clunky crew of novice journalists to make it happen, all while fending off the “clickbait queen” who’s determined to derail him. Messes keep piling up, but he just keeps moving forward.
September has a way of creating urgency, as if everything needs to be tidied up at once as we shift into a new season. I know I’m not alone in feeling like there’s a summertime version of myself and a school-year version. The summertime version feels carefree, and the school-year version is forced to be wildly more regimented. Sometimes my heart wants to fight against that school-year version.
But what if we didn’t force the entire transition all at once? What if instead of scrubbing every mess immediately, we paused to ask: What’s actually needed right now? That’s the question guiding me in this September storm.
My most recent “Tidy Tidbits” podcast episode also seeks to answer that question. Are there sure to be more messes ahead? Absolutely. But do we have to clean them all up right now? No.
The topic: five core routines we’re focused on right now. Here’s a link to the episode:
My Teacher’s Favorites List - in the Tidy Toolkit
We love showing thanks and appreciation to our teachers throughout the school year! As a teacher myself, I know that small acts of kindness (like a fresh coffee on a busy school morning or a sweet treat for the afternoon) from students and families throughout the school year is a simple way to show teachers that you're thinking about them and appreciate their work. But first, find out what they actually love!
Use the “My Teacher’s Favorites” list to inspire small gift giving opportunities throughout the year! You can download it for FREE in the “Tidy Toolkit.”
Have you listened to the “Tidy Tidbits” podcast?
Life feels overwhelming sometimes, and there’s never enough time to do it all. That’s exactly why I started Tidy Tidbits: a micro podcast with practical tips and real stories in five minutes or less.
Lately I’ve been in conversation with three authors whose books I can’t stop thinking about. One tackles the ever-present screen time struggle, another wrestles with the question, “What if not everyone likes me?” and the third invites us to slow down and embrace the “Power Pause.”
Plus I’ve shared some solo episodes with reflections on what’s guiding me (and my family) in this new season:
New episodes drop on Saturdays and are designed to be quick, doable, and worth your five minutes! Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.
Behind the Stories
Last month in Behind the Stories, I reflected on summer, including the highs, the lows, and even the funk that lingered in between. For several months, I also found myself caught in a wild game of tabloid telephone and, once the press subsided, I finally had the chance to share my side of the story.
Links Worth a Click
- I posted a “Back to School” reel, encouraging us all to think beyond new backpacks and lunch boxes, and consider what your family actually needs to be set up well for the school year. Name a pain point and consider if there’s a little solution that could solve the problem. I shared links to some things that have made a difference for us too!
- Ever feel like you’ve tried everything to help your kiddo stay focused, organized, and on track… and nothing sticks? I get it. That’s why I’ll be speaking at the Executive Functioning Empowerment Summit 2.0. It’s Sept 23–25, completely FREE online. I’ll be joining 30+ colleagues to share practical, science-backed strategies to help families thrive. Register for FREE here! Help your kids focus, organize, and get things done!
- Husbands 2 Dads podcast: I chatted with Brett and Stephen about breaking gender roles, embracing mess, and creating a joyful home - listen to the full episode here!
- If there’s ever a season to embrace surthriving, it’s probably back-to-school season. Our “In My Surthrival Era” hats are back in stock in 10 fun colors, and we’ve also created both a classic sticker bundle and a cheeky sticker bundle (plus à la carte sticker options if you want to mix and match). A small reminder that sometimes it’s the little things—like a hat or sticker—that carry us through the chaos with a smile.
3 Things to Declutter this Month
September has a way of pulling us back indoors, and with it comes the reminder of all that we’ve collected over the summer! These 10-minute decluttering tasks are inspired by my decluttering calendar, which is straight from my book Tidy Up Your Life. You don’t need a full home overhaul to make a big impact. Just a timer, a category, and a little momentum.
Want to make your own? Download a blank Decluttering Calendar PDF HERE.
1. Shared Living Areas
This is the season when shared spaces should work for you, not against you, and clutter is often the culprit.
🕒 10-Minute Tasks:
Couch + Cushion Sweep (Living Room): Pull out everything hiding in the couch cushions or under furniture. Return what belongs, toss what doesn’t.
Surface Reset (Kitchen): Pick one counter section. Clear it completely, wipe it down, and only return what you actually use daily.
Drawer Dive (Kitchen): Open one drawer. Toss duplicates, broken gadgets, or mystery tools you never use.
Expiration Check (Bathroom): Scan medicine, sunscreen, and makeup. Toss anything expired.
Towel + Linen Tally (Bathroom): Keep only what your family actually uses. Bag extras for donation.
2. Dress-Up Clothing
Think of this category loosely: it could be dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, or any kid items that feel like they’re multiplying. The bonus? Teachers are always in need of extras, so passing things along helps clear your space and supports a classroom.
🕒 10-Minute Tasks:
Quick Costume Parade: Have kids try on 2–3 favorites. Outgrown or itchy items head to the donate pile.
Duplicate Detectives: Gather accessories (tiaras, hats, capes). Keep one set, bundle duplicates for donation.
Broken Bits Goodbye: Toss ripped items, wands missing tops, or hats that won’t hold up for play.
3. Art Supplies
Crayons under the couch? Dried glue sticks in the drawer? It’s time to let them go!
🕒 10-Minute Tasks:
Marker + Crayon Test: Round up every stray marker or crayon. Test them quickly. Duds go, duplicates get bundled for donation.
One Category Focus: Pick glue, scissors, or paintbrushes. Weed out broken, dried, or extra sets.
Paper Sort: Recycle wrinkled pages. Stack good paper neatly or bundle extra for a teacher.
Tidy Takeaway: Ten minutes can transform clutter into clear space—and often into supplies a local teacher will actually use.
Maintenance Department
Happy Quarter 3 (July–September)! Whether you live in an apartment, a house, a castle, or somewhere in between, these maintenance tasks are a great place to start. Bonus: they spell out Tidy Dad! 🤣
Tidy up summer supplies (sunscreen, bug spray, beach towels, etc.)
Inspect air-conditioning units, clean or replace filters, check airflow
Dust and deep clean your grill, outdoor cooking spaces, outdoor furniture
Yearly deck or balcony maintenance, check for wear, clean, and reseal
Deep clean your water heater to remove sediment buildup
Assess plantings, check for dead branches or over-growth, and trim
Declutter summer gear and consider storing extra summer items in your car
Tidy Dad's Reading Stack
The Power Pause by Neha Ruch - I had the pleasure of interviewing Neha for the podcast, and her book has stayed with me. I’ve experienced firsthand how a pause can reshape a career and dramatically shift family life. Neha beautifully shares her own story while offering practical ways to weave pauses into our routines. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful move is to stop, reflect, and choose with intention.
Best Laid Plans by Sarah Hart-Unger - I had the chance to read an advanced copy of this book, and it feels like advice from someone who truly gets it. Sarah is in the trenches—balancing career, self, and family—and she writes with clarity and warmth. Her practical strategies are credible, transferable, and refreshingly doable. With joyful, specific examples that zoom from the big picture down to the daily details, this book turns overwhelm into confidence. You’ll find yourself saying, “I can do this—why didn’t I try it sooner?” Available for preorder now. Releases December 16, 2025.
Power On by Ash Brandin - I had the opportunity to read this book and then interview Ash on my podcast, and it’s another one I can’t stop thinking about. Screens aren’t the enemy, but without boundaries, they can easily become tiny, glowing dictators. Ash’s approach is rooted in moral neutrality: technology is just one of many tools available for recreation, learning, or simply chilling out—but it doesn’t have to control us. Their “ABCs” for tech are refreshingly doable, and as both a parent and a teacher, Ash brings a perspective that feels both practical and deeply relatable.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - I’ve once again waded into the dragon-filled love saga of Violet and Xaden as they face endless unknown threats. There’s something about having a solid novel to read in September that lets me step away from reality, even if only for a few moments. This one is wild, fantastical, and exactly what I need right now. Perfect for sneaking in a few pages over a lunch break.
Wondering what else I’ve read this year? Here’s the full list!
🎉 BONUS! If your book club reads Tidy Up Your Life this year, I’ll join your meeting for a virtual book club chat. Just send me an email or DM @tidydad and we’ll work out details and timing. Open to the first 10 book clubs who reach out, so grab your spot!
September Joy Plotting
In Tidy Up Your Life, I talk about joy plotting—taking a few minutes to anticipate moments of joy in the week or month ahead. Here’s what’s on my list for September:
The apartment I’ve been working on for the REAL SIMPLE Home is officially finished. This month there will be parties and open houses! You can also now purchase $25 tickets to tour the space and see all the incredible designs, decor, storage solutions, and organization inspiration up close. It’s a dream space!
Emily’s heading away for a weekend to celebrate her mom’s birthday, which means I’ll be solo with the girls. I am grateful that we can trade off with one another. I’ve got a November weekend away planned, so it’ll be my turn soon.
We’ve also got a few weekday holidays this month—not bumping up against the weekends, and honestly, that feels kind of nice. We’ll probably use them to reset and rest. I’m slowing my wheels when it comes to travel this fall, and that’s okay.
Thanks for reading!
🧺 If you enjoyed this free newsletter and want MORE—check out my book Tidy Up Your Life—and consider becoming a paid subscriber to “The Tidy Times” on Substack! It gives you access to all the “Behind the Stories” and the full “Tidy Toolkit”. It’s $5/month or $50/year and helps keep the tidying (and storytelling) going.
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