The unlikely Instagram sensation, Tyler Moore, a math teacher from Queens, New York, has combined the words “tidy” and “dad” through his documented journey of decluttering his life. Moore, along with his wife, Emily, and their three daughters aged between four and nine, reside in a small apartment where he preaches the importance of organization in everyday life. Moore’s transition from clutter-induced breakdown to inspiration for hundreds of thousands has led to his recent publication, “Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize, Declutter, and Make Space for What Matters Most,” appealing not only to social media users but to a wider audience.
The Moore family’s 65-square-meter apartment showcases Moore’s dedication to order and routine, evident in the “railroad style” layout where rooms are arranged in a straight line. Moore’s meticulous planning, down to measuring drawers and creating blueprints, highlights his commitment to a clutter-free environment. The apartment features clever storage solutions, such as three-tiered bunk beds and hanging storage on doors, emphasizing the efficient use of space.
Moore’s upbringing in a tidy home, coupled with his parents’ divorce at the age of 13, instilled in him a passion for maintaining order and comfort in his living space. He rejects the notion that tidying is gender-specific and advocates for equal participation in household chores. Moore’s journey from a fear of mess to becoming a decluttering guru reflects his belief in the transformative power of organization and systems in creating a peaceful and harmonious home.
Dan Callister found college to be challenging due to his messy roommate, but he managed to maintain a tidy space in his dorm. He later married Emily, who shares his philosophy of neatness. The couple chose to stay in the city rather than moving to the suburbs to start a family. Despite their love for city life, they also own a summer house in Pennsylvania. However, Dan’s fear of mess resurfaced when they had children. It reached a breaking point in 2017 when he had a breakdown on the street. This led him to take a leave from work and start therapy to address the deeper issues related to his fear of mess. As part of his journey to declutter his life, Dan decided to switch careers back to teaching and implemented organizational systems in his home. The couple made changes, such as swapping bedrooms with their daughters and getting rid of the TV in favor of a projector. Dan also streamlined his wardrobe to a capsule collection of four key colors, reducing decision fatigue and bringing order to his life.
In a small town, Dan Callister and his wife Emily have embarked on a 30-day challenge to declutter their home. Emily, known for her more extensive and traditional wardrobe, is content to let Dan display his closet while keeping hers more private. As they faced the task ahead, Moore found that parting with sentimental items proved to be more challenging than getting rid of clothing. One such item was a yellow-and-pink lamp with cherished memories of his grandmother’s purchase. This nostalgic connection led him to decide to keep the lamp. On the other hand, Emily had an easier time parting with an Easter bonnet that her mother had made for Mabel. They opted to take a photo of the bonnet before sending it off to Emily’s mom.
Despite the challenges of decluttering, Moore emphasized that his daughters supported his decisions. Yet, during an interview, his youngest daughter Margaret’s playful display of brightly colored plastic spheres caused a visible moment of tension for Moore. Addressing criticism of his parenting style, Moore dismissed claims of robbing his girls of their childhood by teaching them tidiness, considering such accusations baseless.
The @tidydad account gained traction when Moore and Emily organized a successful decluttering session, subsequently launching an Instagram page in January 2019. Moore noted that people are naturally curious about others’ lifestyles, a sentiment echoed by his childhood friends who jokingly refer to him as “Tidy Dad.” Emily expressed pride in her husband’s meticulous nature, refuting assumptions that he may be challenging to live with or suffer from OCD. Their shared interest in maintaining a tidy home extends to tasks like folding laundry together, with Emily admitting a tendency to leave things out overnight when in the midst of a task—a habit that does not sit well with Moore.
Emily appreciates having a husband who rejects traditional gender roles by actively participating in household chores and not viewing cleaning as solely a woman’s responsibility. The couple’s shared commitment to tidiness and mutual respect for each other’s efforts in maintaining their home reflect a modern approach to partnership and domestic life.
As Moore and Emily continue their decluttering journey, their experiences serve as a testament to the importance of communication, mutual support, and shared responsibilities within a marriage. Despite external criticism, the couple remains united in their quest for a harmonious and organized living space, demonstrating that a collaborative approach to homemaking can strengthen marital bonds and family dynamics.
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