How the 1% Rule Became a Favorite Tiny Habit That Instantly Improves Any Home

Living in a space filled with clutter can feel overwhelming, especially for those who are highly sensitive to their environment. A tidy home—featuring clear counters, an organized closet, and fresh flowers on a well-maintained kitchen table—can create a peaceful atmosphere and help reduce mental clutter, allowing for a focus on what truly matters: the people in the home.

One practical strategy to maintain a sense of order, even when life gets busy, is the 1% rule.

What Is the 1% Rule?

The 1% rule, introduced by Holly Blakey of @‌breathing.room.home, focuses on doing one small task each day to improve the home. While these actions may be minor, they contribute to both a tidier living space and a more peaceful emotional state. Completing even the smallest task provides a sense of accomplishment, and the cumulative effect of these small victories creates a calming atmosphere in the home.

Blakey sums it up well: “Simplifying into small victories creates a big internal shift.”

How to Implement the 1% Rule

Simple actions that take just a few minutes can make a big difference. Here are some tasks that can quickly improve the condition of any home:

• Deal with dirty dishes in the sink
• Empty the dishwasher
• Straighten hand towels in the kitchen
• Wipe down kitchen counters
• Gather ingredients needed for dinner
• Remove expired leftovers from the fridge
• Clean out the purse
• Place dirty clothes from the bedroom or bathroom floor in the hamper
• Put away folded laundry
• Sort through orphan socks and pair them up
• Take a donation bag to the car
• Process an Amazon return
• Empty the trash
• Clear out unnecessary items from the junk drawer
• Recycle unneeded kids’ papers
• Remove brown or yellow leaves from plants
• Use the laundry basket method to clear off surfaces
• Put shoes back in the shoe rack

By embracing the 1% rule, even small improvements can make a significant impact on the home’s environment, leading to a more peaceful and organized living space.