7 Days, 15 Minutes a Day: Your Mini-MAP to an Organised Life
Are you time-poor? Or just plain busy?
Do you struggle to focus or complete a task?
Is your to-do list just a mere list that keeps on growing?
Are you lost and often wonder, “How do I even start?”
Have courage, my dear, take a deep breath, and hear me out!
What if I told you 15 minutes a day is all you need to kickstart and keep your journey to a calm and organised space?
That’s right!
At least 15 minutes a day can help you transform your life from a crazy mess to a happy success.
But let’s be clear here, I am not talking about doing a “Marie Kondo” of your entire life in one weekend, Ok? What I am saying is about small but quick wins, like little steps, and an action plan that works.
I know most of us are busy human beings, and at times, we need to stop our daily grind to see a project through from start to finish. But we know it’s not always practical to do so.
That’s why I am introducing you to my “Mini-MAP Method.”
What is the Mini-MAP Method?
Mini-MAP Method is a simplified version of the full Map Your Space framework (MAP - M.I.N.D.S.E.T. APproach) which was designed to help people make quick and focused progress toward declorganising their spaces with Mini-MAP tasks. Mini-MAP is the shortcut MAP Approach, which stands for:
M-indset – shift your thinking
A-ction – take intentional steps
P-rogress – keep the momentum going
What are Mini-MAP Tasks?
Mini-MAP Tasks are 15-minute small tasks that you can do with little effort but will have a powerful impact on improving your day-to-day spaces and routines. These are bite-sized actions that you can start and complete within a short time, giving you that sense of progress without feeling overwhelmed. All you need is 15 minutes a day, but feel free to extend it to a manageable time, like 20 to 30 minutes or so, if you feel like you want to do more.
The idea here is to encourage you to take that first step and be excited to complete your action without overthinking or getting stressed out. Since these tasks are “mini”, a.k.a. small, the time you need to spend per task should not overwhelm you, and they need to be done in a snap, so do not expect a super polished finish product every time. The intent of these tasks is to build your habit and to provide you with that quick adrenaline fix and sense of accomplishment.
Remember… “Progress over perfection”, or in short “, Good enough”, gets things done.
Are you ready for a challenge?
Let’s do a 7-Day Mini-MAP Challenge, and we can progress to do more Mini-MAP tasks later on once you have a better appreciation of how powerful this Mini-MAP Strategy works.
Let’s start mini-mapping your spaces!
Day 1: Clear the Catch-All
Mini-MAP Task:
Let’s start with a clutter magnet in your home. Clutter magnets are specific spaces around your house that repeatedly attract clutter without you knowing. These are often flat surfaces such as a kitchen counter, buffet table, study desk, or bench that naturally accumulate items momentarily placed on top of those surfaces, leading to clutter build-up.
Your first Mini-MAP Task is to tackle a clutter magnet space in your home and revive it.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: Remind yourself of the purpose of this space without the clutter, and understand why such items are continuously ending up in this space. Maybe they currently don’t have a home, or their defined location may not seem practical.
Action: Remove everything. Wipe the space clean. Sort what you find into keep, toss, or rehome categories. Only place items here that serve their purpose, and identify the rightful home of the items you found in there.
Progress: Make it a habit to put things away into their rightful home to avoid dumping items into the usual catch-all surfaces. A clear surface means a clear mind. By clearing up a space, it inspires a domino effect to do more organising and tidying up around your home.
Day 2: Declutter a Drawer
Mini-MAP Task:
Let’s tackle a junk drawer next. Junk drawers are drawers that usually hold a variety of miscellaneous small and not frequently used items. Because the items in the drawer are small and uncategorised, they are randomly messy but strangely useful to many.
Choose a messy drawer and practically organise it to the best of your ability.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: Just because a space is small or tucked away doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. You will be amazed at how good it feels, mentally and physically, when even those out-of-sight spaces are organised.
Action: Empty the drawer completely. Group items according to their type or use. This is an opportunity to let go of the items that are considered “just in case”. Use containers or dividers to create zones regardless of the size of the drawer. Drawers, big or small, are handy storage solutions and offer ease of access and maximise space.
Progress: Great things start from small beginnings. It’s not going to change your life drastically, but it will give you that sense of fulfilment and will motivate you to do more. Be intentional when putting things back in your drawer. Respect the zones you have assigned instead of dumping everything in a pile.
Day 3: 15-Minute Toss
Mini-MAP Task:
This Mini-MAP task is a great practice for people who struggle to decide and let go of stuff. This will be your chance to start your journey of speed decluttering and improve your decision-making skills. Grab your phone and set the timer to 15 minutes, and find 10-15 things that you can toss fast. For efficiency and better yield, given it is a short time, focus on one room, one corner, one shelf, or one drawer at a time. Save the sentimental items at a later time, and start with items that are easy to decide to either toss (donate or throw away) or keep. If you happen to be torn between, most likely, you don’t really need it. .
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: Go with your gut. You know what you use and don’t use. Don’t negotiate with yourself. Don’t overthink. This is the key to being successful with this Mini-MAP task. Begin with the end in mind. Make space for the things that bring more value to your life.
Action: Go to one space in your house where you feel needs quick decluttering. Grab as many items as you can, say goodbye to and place them in a plastic bag. Immediately put your “toss” bag in your front door, ready for you to take it out or in the boot of your car to take it to the salvos or charitable organisations.
Progress: You will get that decluttering adrenaline rush in just 15 minutes and that surprisingly lighter feeling you didn’t realise you needed, thanks to the quick round of speed decluttering. The more you do this, you will feel in control of your decisions and the choices you make.
Day 4: Purge the Paper Pile
Mini-MAP Task:
This task is often treated as the “later to-do task”. Setting this task aside often leads to piles of unattended papers. If papers cannot be avoided in your home due to a number of reasons, having a streamlined incoming and outgoing flow of your household papers as well as a functional and practical system to access your important documents, will keep your paper pile from building up into an overwhelming state. Ideally, if you can convert your paper piles into digital records, that will help you lessen your paper clutter and save you some valuable real estate.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: Remember that most papers are not as important as we think it is. Set aside the important documents and make sure to implement a practical way of keeping your records handy, and deal with the rest of the paper as you get hold of it.
Action: Sort your paper pile and declutter the ones that you don’t wish to keep. Make sure you shred those documents that contain important details to protect your personal or business information from potential misuse, such as identity theft and data breaches. Set up a practical go and grab folder (e.g. expandable file case) for ease of access to your important documents. Use labelled trays or magazine folders for your incoming and outgoing paper piles.
Progress: You can clear a chunk of paper pile in just 15 minutes, and it instantly creates breathing space, which then leads to less clutter on your surfaces and more clarity in your mind. You are proving to yourself that you can take control of lingering tasks instead of avoiding them.
Day 5: Edit the Entryway
Mini-MAP Task:
This Mini-MAP task will freshen up the space that welcomes you and your guests from outside to the inside of your home. The entryway is often designed to act as the drop zone for shoes, bags, coats, and other items we use when entering and leaving the house. Reset your entryway in just 15 minutes.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: A streamlined launchpad and landing strip invite a welcoming mood, which will make you and your visitors feel comfortable and excited to enter your home after a busy day.
Action: Remove out-of-season or unused items. Straighten the shoes and slippers and tidy up bags and coats. Add a hook, basket, or tray to catch essentials like keys or sunglasses. Add some greenery and fresh scents to boost the mood even better.
Progress: By intentionally creating a more inviting entryway, you are also creating a more intentional flow and positive energy into your home. Coming home to an organised entryway feels like a breath of calm after a busy day.
Day 6: Closet Clean-Out
Mini-MAP Task:
Remember, this task is no KonMari, so no need for a full overhaul. This is just a bite-sized mission that will bring instant order to your closet. Spend 15 minutes editing your clothing category (the ones in hangers, drawers, shoes, seasonal clothing in tubs, etc.). You'll be surprised by clearing out the overdue clutter occupying your closet space and making breathing space for the ones that you actually love to wear.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: Do you know the 80/20 Pareto Principle can also be applied to clothing? It means you wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time. So the success criteria in doing this quick fix is to focus on your winning favourites.
Action: Let go of anything that doesn’t complement your body or your style. I know this is very challenging, especially when you still hope to fit in that black bodycon dress you used to wear before having a baby or those favourite jeans you love pairing with your white tops, but can no longer fit your waist. Hang clothes that are prone to wrinkles when folded or have flowy fabrics, such as dresses, blouses, pants, and jackets. File fold the rest of your clothing to save space and for visibility, and ease of access.
Progress: Getting ready to dress up and dress down boosts your energy and confidence more than feeling like it's a chore. You are making room for the life that you are living now and not holding onto the past. Every edit represents you and your purpose, and is not driven by pressure from items that once sparked joy in your closet.
Day 7: Create a Calm Corner
Mini-MAP Task:
This Mini-MAP task reminds you to prioritise your well-being and mental health. If this space does not yet exist in your home, this will be a good opportunity for you to create a personal space dedicated to your relaxation and self-reflection from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Assign a spot or room in your home that gives you that relaxing vibe to meditate, read a book, drink tea or coffee, or write your journal.
Whenever possible, keep your calm space separate from your bed to create a fresh space just for relaxing and recharging.
M.A.P. Tips:
Mindset: You deserve a space that you can retreat to after a busy and demanding day. Remember, as Jay Shetty says, "Location has energy, time has memory."
Action: Identify the best spot that vibes calm and order in your home, this can be a corner in your bedroom (but make sure not your bed), in your balcony or verandah, in your lounge or living room, as long as the location you choose is not serving multiple purposes. This is to avoid conflicting energy and keep the vibe as calm as possible. Spruce up the space by placing a plant, candle or fresh scent, and some cozy light. Keep the space as sacred as possible. Do not allow any clutter or dumping, as this will protect the energy you have created for your personal space.
Progress: You can have your own retreat space anytime you want; you don’t have to spend money or travel. You claimed time for yourself. This space reminds you of your main priority: looking after yourself. It’s the key step in taking control of your daily rhythm.
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Final Thoughts:
You can do this!
The 7-Day Mini-MAP is your kick-starter to an organised and orderly you. Please take note that this exercise is not about picture-perfect results; this is more like a practice in creating a manageable habit that you are more likely to keep. It’s designed to give you quick wins, a clear and tidy space, and build the confidence to keep you going. This Mini-M.A.P. strategy enables you to overcome the analysis paralysis that cripples you from taking the first step in starting and ultimately completing a task without you getting overwhelmed. This doesn’t only focus on decluttering, but it encourages declorganising: organising with intention and purpose.
In summary, you’re not really lost, you just need a MAP to guide you.
Let's Map Your Space!
