I adore a tidy home, but the process of achieving that cleanliness can be quite dreadful. It often feels like everyone else in the house is contributing to the mess rather than helping me maintain order. It’s akin to constructing a sandcastle only for a wave to sweep it away. I glance around at the dishes piled in the wrong places, shoes scattered across the floor, clumps of pet hair gathering in corners I just vacuumed, and the towering stack of junk mail on the kitchen counter, and I feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, I wonder if it would be easier to just accept the chaos and ignore it, even as it resembles a scene from a hoarding show.
However, living in a dirty, cluttered environment triggers my anxiety, and that feeling is far worse than the grunt work of cleaning. So regardless of how much I’d prefer to do almost anything else, I find myself tidying up. When my motivation dips, I rely on a few strategies to get me going, such as:
Letting in Natural Light
While some prefer keeping their curtains drawn, I thrive on sunlight. There’s something invigorating about bright rays pouring in through the windows that inspires me to tackle the rest of my housework (perhaps it’s the way the sunlight highlights the dust particles?). On cloudy days, I simply turn on all the lights for an instant boost.
Cranking Up the Music
Cleaning is always more enjoyable with a catchy soundtrack. I mean, Marvin Gaye didn’t create “Let’s Get It On” for nothing! Suddenly, mopping feels more bearable when I can groove to a beat.
Getting Inspiration from Pinterest
Pinterest is loaded with cleaning hacks that almost — almost — make the chore seem fun. I search for “cleaning tips” and spend a few minutes perusing clever advice, selecting a few tricks to try myself (and pinning others for later that I probably won’t attempt).
Setting a Timer
This psychological hack works wonders. When I start cleaning, I tell myself it’ll only be for ten minutes. Just ten minutes, and then I can indulge in something more enjoyable. Yet, once I dive into cleaning, I often find myself in a rhythm and keep going. The hardest part is getting started, but once I do, it’s easy to continue. If the timer goes off and I still want to stop, I can — at least my home is ten minutes cleaner.
Addressing the Tough Tasks First
A significant reason I loathe cleaning is the daunting tasks I dread. However, if I tackle the worst chore right away, I feel a sense of accomplishment, making everything else seem simpler by comparison. This strategy doesn’t always work, though, as some days, I end up doing the opposite.
Procrastinating the Hard Stuff
When there’s a particularly unpleasant task on the list, I sometimes find myself stalling and doing everything else first. For instance, I absolutely despise cleaning the cat litter box. So, as I head to it, I might “accidentally” get sidetracked by other chores. Oh, I can’t leave this laundry here; I should put it in the washer. Well, now that I’m by the dishes, I might as well tackle those too. By the time I finally get around to the litter box, I’ve already done a variety of other tasks.
Trying Out New Cleaning Supplies
There’s a unique thrill in using new cleaning products, much like trying out a new conditioner or makeup. Whether it’s a fresh scent of surface cleaner or a fancy scrubbing sponge, if it boosts my motivation even a little, it’s worth the price tag.
Offering Myself a Reward
I’m not talking about literal carrots, but rather enticing myself with something enjoyable that I can only indulge in after cleaning is done. Whether it’s catching up on my favorite shows or treating myself to a new candle, rewards can be powerful motivators.
Planning a Gathering
Every time I embark on a cleaning spree, my kids inevitably ask, “Who’s coming over?” They know that nothing motivates quite like the thought of someone judging our messy home. By inviting guests, I hold myself accountable for tidying up beforehand.
Capturing the Before-and-After
After completing the cleaning task, I take a photo of my freshly cleaned surfaces and keep it on my phone. This visual reminder of how good things look and feel after a good clean helps me stay motivated for the next round.
Let’s face it: cleaning is unlikely to ever be anyone’s favorite activity (and if it were, you probably wouldn’t have read this far). But since it’s a necessary part of life, we might as well find ways to make it less painful for ourselves.
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In summary, cleaning may never be a beloved task, but with a few clever tactics, it can become more manageable and even a bit more enjoyable.