Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

 

It was obvious that I was in trouble when I pulled out the vacuum cleaner and my firstborn, who was 2 ½ at the time, asked me what I was holding.  I knew that I had vacuumed in front of my children, but apparently, not enough!

 

Since then I have discovered a few applications that I’ve infused into my daily living.  Most of them are fairly simple suggestions that keep me focused when I would rather be watching television or reading.  I hope these support you, as well, on your path to a more peaceful home.

 

And, relax.  If you are about to sift through years of amounted clutter, keep in mind that true order rarely happens overnight.  Start small with manageable tasks and celebrate each success.  We don’t need aim for perfectionism but for reality.  Home is a place that should support the life we want to lead. Not to consume our every waking moment.

 

Now, take a deep breath, smile, and . . .

 

1. Have fun.

“Sure, I’m really going to have fun cleaning!  Bet on it!”

 

Actually you can!  A lot of it is attitude.   While you clean, listen to your favorite music.  Dance and enjoy yourself.  Or, pull out that audio book you’ve been dying to finish.  Find a distraction that will help keep your mind off what you’re doing, but not pull you away entirely.

 

2. Set realistic goals for the day.

What can you accomplish in a reasonable amount of time without neglecting your other responsibilities?  Stick to these tasks and don’t add anything else to the list.

 

3. Deep clean one room, every day.

Deep clean, one room, from top to bottom.  Assign a room to each day and keep to that schedule.  This way, you will always know what to expect throughout the week.

 

4. Use products you enjoy cleaning with.

Don’t be afraid to pay for something that might be a little more expensive.  It’s worth it if you use it every day.  Too often, I end up with a variety of half-empty bottles because I wanted to try something new.  My personal “product” is a bottle of half vinegar, half water.  I spray this on my sinks and tub and then sprinkle baking soda on top.  Its cleaning is superior to anything that I’ve found on the market.  And it’s non-toxic.

 

5. Push to the end.

If possible, try to finish a task without getting sidetracked with other things you could be doing.  Stay focused on the task at hand and you will accomplish much more at a faster pace.

 

6. Make your bed.

Even if you don’t get anything else done that day, you will still feel a sense of triumph as you slide into your well-made bed.  Grant yourself this luxury.

 

7. Do one load of laundry each day.

This keeps the clothes from piling up and becoming overwhelming. Of course, if you don’t have children, doing laundry twice a week instead of when the clean clothes are gone is a great alternative.

 

8. Clean while you cook.

If you cook (I love to cook!), find little tasks to accomplish while you are preparing the meal.  Sweep the floor or wash down the refrigerator.  It’s the little things completed that make such an enormous difference.

 

9. 30 Minute Blitz.

If clutter starts to get out of control, do a 30 minute blitz.  Set the timer, and for 30 minutes, pick up as much as you can throughout the house.  You will be amazed by how much gets accomplished.

 

10. Incorporate everyone’s help.

Encourage your family to help out.  No nagging!  This should be a positive experience as there is something to do at every age.  Even my 16-month-old helps unload the dishwasher by passing the dishes to me as I put them away.

 

11. Parry the paper assault.

It’s the subtlest of attacks.  Paper comes into your home every single day.  Deal with it as soon as it enters the door.  Do not stack it or you won’t attack it again until months have passed.

 

12. Pick up loose clutter before going to bed.

This is a perfect opportunity to do the 30 minute blitz.  Depending on age, assist your children with their rooms, as well.  When everyone wakes up the next morning, everything they own has a place and a purpose.

 

13. Rest after your hard work.

Don’t stop cleaning entirely but choose a day out of the week where the focus becomes resting and spending time with loved ones.  Enjoy what you’ve accomplished.

 

When you take the time to care for your home, you’ll notice the energy in your home change.  You’ll start feeling better and it will encourage you to take care of other things that might have been neglected in your life.  Allow the natural transformation to happen.  That’s when it really gets exciting!

 

Next: Hope for the Home 3 – Five Solutions to Eliminate Clutter and Regain Our Freedom

 

 

“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”
-Kurt Vonnegut

 

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