Hey there fellow corporate parents! You know what they say, your workspace is a reflection of your mind. And if my home office were any indication of my mental state, I’d be living in chaos most days.
Between homeschooling worksheets scattered across my desk (thanks, to my daughter!) and sticky notes plastered everywhere like confetti, it’s amazing I get anything done.
As gay dads navigating work, parenting, and life, we don’t have time to waste sifting through piles of clutter to find our coffee mug or misplaced phone charger.
So, let me talk about my way of keeping things tidy without losing my mind or our sense of humor along the way.
Decluttering isn’t just about making your office look like something out of a posh magazine. It’s about creating a space that works for you instead of against you.
Here’s why putting in the effort to tidy up is worth it, especially for busy dads who have a lot going on a daily basis:
When your desk looks like a tornado hit it, finding anything feels like a treasure hunt. Who has time for that?
A clutter-free space means less time digging for your kid’s permission slip or that one important email buried under a mountain of junk.
Plus, organizing files on your computer can help you stay on top of things digitally too. Less chaos equals more focus, and who doesn’t want to get stuff done faster?
Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space, it takes up mental space too. Ever notice how overwhelming it feels to walk into a messy room?
That same feeling happens when your workspace is out of control. It distracts you, stresses you out, and makes it harder to concentrate.
A clean, organized office gives you one less thing to worry about, so you can focus on what matters, like planning your next family game night or finally starting that book club with your partner.
Here’s a fun thought experiment. Imagine inviting someone over to your home office. Would they see stacks of papers teetering like Jenga towers or a sleek setup that screams “I’ve got my life together”?
Even if no one ever steps foot in your office, keeping it presentable says something about how you show up in the world. If you’re running a business or meeting clients virtually, this matters even more. A tidy space reflects professionalism and respect, for yourself and others.
Let me dive into some practical tips to whip your workspace into shape. Trust me, these are simple enough that even the busiest parents can pull them off!
Most of the stuff in your office? You probably don’t need it. I know, I know, it feels like everything has its place, how often do you really use that three-hole punch or those random cords you’ve had since 2015?
If you’re staring at your desk thinking, “Where do I even start?” here’s a trick that worked for me: clear it all out and only put back what you actually use.
Think about your computer desktop for a second. Over time, it gets cluttered with shortcuts, files, and random icons you forgot you even had installed. But when you wipe it clean and only add back the essentials, suddenly everything feels lighter, faster, and easier to manage.
The same goes for your physical workspace. That stack of papers from six months ago? Probably not doing much for you. Those random office supplies you swear you’ll use one day? They’re just hogging valuable real estate.
Okay, so you’ve cleared out the clutter and kept only the essentials, nice work! Now it’s time to organize what’s left in a way that makes sense for your day-to-day life.
Even the most minimalist setup can feel chaotic if everything’s just shoved into random drawers or piled on your desk.
Here’s how to make your workspace as functional as possible.
Start by thinking about how often you use each item. That fancy fountain pen you love?
If you’re grabbing it every day, it should live front and center, maybe in a cup on your desk or a top drawer you can reach without even looking.
But that dusty HR manual you haven’t cracked open since 2019?
Yeah, that can go in the back of a bottom drawer or even on a shelf somewhere.
The stuff you always use should be the easiest to get to, while the things you rarely need can hang out farther away.
Here’s a quick game plan that has worked for me:
If you’ve ever stared at a pile of clutter and felt overwhelmed, this next tip is for you. It’s called the “three-box method,” and it’s as simple as it sounds.
Here’s how it works, grab three boxes (or bags, or bins, whatever you’ve got) and label them: Keep , Recycle/Trash , and Belongs Elsewhere.
Now, go through your stuff one item at a time and ask yourself: Does this stay in my office? Does it get tossed or recycled? Or does it belong somewhere else in the house?
This approach forces you to make quick, clear decisions without overthinking. For example:
Even if you’re the sentimental type who struggles to let things go, this method helps you find a home for everything without letting your workspace turn into a storage unit.
I'm not going to forget about the elephant in the room, or should I say, the cables under your desk. You know what I’m talking about, that tangled mess of chargers, cords, and dongles that looks like it’s auditioning for a role in a low-budget horror movie.
Whether they’re piled on top of your desk or lurking in the shadows below, cable clutter is one of those things that sneaks up on you until suddenly, you can’t even remember which cord goes to what.
One easy solution is to label them. Grab a label maker (or just use masking tape and a Sharpie) and mark each cable as you plug it in.
Once everything’s labeled, it’s time to tidy them up. If you’re ready to invest a little time and money, there are awesome tools like the Cablox system, which organizes cords neatly and keeps them from tangling.
But if you’re more of a DIY kind of person like me, don’t worry, you can get creative with stuff you already have at home. Try using empty toilet paper rolls, shoeboxes, or even old film canisters to corral your cables.
Once you’ve got your cables sorted and organized, take a few extra minutes to make sure they stay that way.
Grab your phone, stand at the doorway of your office, and take a picture. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Done? Great. Now take a good, hard look at that photo.
Chances are, you might spot things you didn’t even realize were there. It’s funny how clutter can blend into the background when you’re in the same space every day, but seeing your office through a camera lens? That’s a whole different story.
When guests visit your home office, they see it with fresh eyes. They notice the stack of papers on the corner of your desk or the random pile of cords peeking out from under your chair.
But because you’re in the space all the time, those things just fade into the background. Taking a photo gives you that same “outsider” perspective, it’s like having a friend point out the clutter without actually needing to invite someone over.
Most of the clutter in your office is probably paper-based. Notes, documents, business cards, sticky notes, you name it, it’s probably taking up space on your desk or lurking in a drawer. And how often do you actually look at that stuff? If the answer is “rarely,” it’s time to invest some money into a laptop or a tablet.
These days, there are so many easy ways to digitize your life. Use a smartphone app to snap photos of important documents, meeting notes, or even business cards, then recycle or toss the paper versions.
Apps like Google Keep, Evernote, or even the Notes app on your phone make it simple to organize everything in one place. Plus, they sync across devices, so you’ll always have access to what you need, whether you’re at your desk or on the go.
Staying organized isn’t a one-and-done kind of deal, it’s about building habits that keep clutter from creeping back in. Think of it like brushing your teeth or making coffee in the morning. You wouldn’t let those things slide, right?
Every time something new enters your office, a piece of mail, a document, even that random gadget you ordered online, decide right then and there what to do with it. Does it belong in the “Keep” pile? Great, give it a home. Trash or recycle it? Done. Belongs somewhere else?
By dealing with things immediately (or at least by the end of the day), you’ll stop clutter before it even starts.
Decluttering your home office doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by keeping only what you need, organize based on how often you use things, and sort items into “Keep,” “Recycle/Trash,” and “Belongs Elsewhere.”
Tame cable chaos, digitize your notes, and take photos of your space to spot hidden clutter. Build habits to stay organized long-term. A tidy workspace = a calmer mind and more productivity.
Decluttering is about creating a space that works for you, not against you. As busy dads, we’ve already got our hands full with parenting, careers, and life in general.
The last thing we need is a chaotic workspace adding to the stress. So take it one step at a time, embrace the systems that work for your lifestyle, and don’t feel guilty if you need to adjust as you go. Remember, progress over perfection, always.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
