Apr 11, 2025

Off the Trail: Less Mess, More Magic

Off the Trail: Where the Broker Herd captures the spirit of exploring something new and unexpected.

Some lessons don’t fully click until you’re grown, raising kids of your own, and trying to keep up with the chaos of life, laundry, and last-minute grocery runs.

One of those lessons? The peace that comes from routine.

Growing up, I didn’t always understand why my mom placed so much value on structure—daily rhythms, household systems, routines that repeated like clockwork. It felt a little over the top at the time. But now, with a home of my own and a business that’s entering a big transition [the boutique is clearing out quickly as we prepare for the move], I finally see it. I crave calm, order, and simplicity more than ever before.

I’ve also learned that in order to keep that sense of peace, I have to protect it. And that means making time—on purpose—for breathing room. It means saying no more often, even to good things. If friends invite me to a concert during an already busy week, I’ve learned to politely pass. Not because I don’t love them, or live music, or the chance to get out—but because I know how much better I feel when I honor my limits. My peace is more important than chasing the next fun thing just because it’s on the calendar. And the older I get, the more sacred that peace becomes.

Similarly, when I walk into my home, I want breathing room.

My store may be a Western wonderland of boots, fringe, denim, and turquoise, packed floor to ceiling with stuff, but my house is very much the opposite. My kitchen counters? Clean and clear. My dining table? Empty unless it’s mealtime. My surfaces stay tidy, and I do my best to keep “a place for everything and everything in its place.”

Not because I have it all together—but because I know how I feel when I don’t.

I’ve even caught myself saying things that I know I heard growing up:

“Girls, my brain doesn’t work right when I walk in and see shoes and backpacks scattered all over the floor.”

And it’s true. When my space is cluttered, my thoughts are cluttered. When things are messy, I get overwhelmed quicker. And when I take just 15 minutes to reset a room? I breathe deeper. Think clearer. Show up better.

That’s why I’ve been toying with a new idea—one that might just become part of our weekly Off the Trail journey together.

What If We Started a Weekly Decluttering + Cleaning Challenge?

Now before you scroll past—this isn’t about perfection. It’s not about color-coded pantries or alphabetized spice drawers [unless that’s your thing]. This is about reclaiming some peace in the spaces we already live in.

Each week, I’d send out one small challenge—something you can finish in 15–30 minutes. Just one task to help bring a little more calm to the chaos.

Here's the kind of thing I’m imagining:

For your home:

Organize your bedroom closet
Deep clean your fridge [yes, even the mystery jars way in the back]
Toss expired pantry items
Wipe down baseboards or door frames
Clean out the junk drawer
Wash your bedsheets and your pillows
Go through that basket of unmatched socks you keep pretending isn’t there

For your car:

Throw away all the snack wrappers, receipts, and random kids’ treasures
Wipe down your dashboard and vacuum the floor mats
Restock the glove box with tissues, gum, and ponytail holders

For your digital life:

Delete unused apps from your phone
Organize your photo library
Unsubscribe from emails you never read
Clean out your email inbox [or at least tackle one category]

For your personal space:

Sort your makeup bag [throw away the dried-up mascara, sis]
Go through your purse—how many pens do you really need in there?
Try on every pair of jeans you own—keep only what fits and feels good
Refresh your nightstand and remove anything that doesn’t belong there

For your mind:

Light a candle and do a 10-minute reset timer—just tidy what you can
Take 15 minutes to journal, pray, or plan your week
Make a list of five things you're proud of doing lately
Write down three areas you’d love to simplify in your life this season

Part of the reason I’m so drawn to the idea of a weekly challenge is because I’m a checklist person through and through. If I write something down—whether it’s “clean out the fridge” or “sort the sock drawer”—you better believe I’m going to do it just for the satisfaction of crossing it off. There’s something so motivating about having a tiny, defined goal to focus on, especially when the rest of life feels unpredictable or overwhelming. And I figure, if it helps me stay grounded and productive, maybe it’ll do the same for you too.

Would You Be Into It?

This might just be me processing life out loud—but I have a feeling I’m not alone in craving less mess and more margin.

If this idea speaks to you, will you let me know?
Send a message, reply to this week’s email, or drop a comment below. If enough of us are ready for it, I’ll add a new section to the Off the Trail newsletter: one weekly challenge, one small shift toward more space and more peace.

We can do it together—step by step, drawer by drawer, room by room.

We spend so much time making everything beautiful for everyone else. Maybe it’s time we started showing up for ourselves, too.

Let’s clear the clutter and make more room for what matters most.

With dusty hands and a grateful heart,
Brianne Evelyn