Spring Cleaning 🌸🧹🧽
As we begin to emerge from our winter hibernation bubbles, we may find ourselves surrounded by clutter. Holiday decorations that haven’t made their way to storage, sweaters that need to be transitioned to another closet, delivery boxes to be broken down for the recycling bin. The “stuff” in our lives can sometimes feel overwhelming.
There is a direct tie to having a clean space and mental health. A 2017 study on young adults found that clutter was linked to procrastination, feeling overwhelmed and lower quality of life. Other studies have shown positive effects of cleaning on anxiety and depression. A clean space reduces stress, as it creates order and structure. A clean home can also enhance your mood, improve your sleep, provide a sense of control, and even improve your physical health. So it makes sense that when we declutter, we feel better and more clear-headed.
One side of TikTok I really enjoy is CleanTok, where I watch content creators complete “Sunday resets,” or cleaning up their spaces with chores like laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming, mopping, meal prepping, etc. Watching their homes go from cluttered and unorganized to tidy is super satisfying. The comments under these videos consistently admire the “therapeutic” nature of the videos, motivating the viewer to get up and clean their own spaces. I myself have learned some really useful cleaning techniques and tips from these videos, and low-cost natural alternatives to cleaning sprays and supplies. Personally, cleaning is an enjoyable task that gives me a sense of accomplishment and joy.
However, it is understandable that isn’t the case for everyone. Cleaning isn’t always easy to do. Some people were not taught how to clean or how to create a schedule to maintain a clean space. Some folks do not have the physical ability to keep their spaces clean. Others simply don't have the energy to tidy up after a long day. And cleaning and organizing are two different tasks. Add in organization, and you may have another beast to tackle.
To that end, here are some tips to support you if cleaning isn’t easy for you to do.
Six Tips for Cleaning Your Home:
Pick one corner of one room and work it until it is complete. Begin with decluttering, then cleaning that space. Then move on to the next corner, and so on. This can help you feel a sense of accomplishment in smaller increments, motivating you to keep going.
Make multi-tasking work for you. Try washing the dishes or folding laundry while catching up with a loved one over the phone. Or, listen to music or a podcast while cleaning out your tub. It can make the activity more enjoyable and faster to complete.
On the other hand, you can employ mindfulness while cleaning. We often overestimate the amount of time it will take to complete a task (especially one we’re avoiding) - mindfulness can help you realize that it will take less time than you believe.
Set a timer. Set a timer on your phone or microwave clock for 10, 15, or 30 minutes. Pick a chore, and work to complete that task for the allotted time. Then, move on to the next chore. For example, start by picking items up off of the floor and putting them away. If there is still time on the timer left, sort laundry. Once the timer goes off, decide to either complete more chores (for example, throwing in your first load of laundry), or move on with your day.
Outsource. If you have the means, consider hiring someone to clean one or more of your spaces. Use a wash-n-fold service for your laundry, or get your groceries delivered. Or, if you have a friend who enjoys cleaning, ask if they can help you with your space. It is always okay to ask for help.
Reward yourself. If cleaning is something you struggle to do, treat yourself following a cleaning session or any milestone you choose.
Remember, the goal is to build a sustainable system that works for you. Be gentle with yourself as you shed the winter months and come into the spring, one small space at a time.
As noted in the above studies, anxiety and difficulty cleaning go hand-in-hand. Trouble concentrating is a symptom of anxiety. If you’re struggling to maintain your space or experiencing other anxious symptoms or feelings, schedule a complimentary consultation call with me.
