No matter how you toss things, you will probably have to pick them up at some point- LOL. Cleaning requires time, so why not make this time as fun as possible??? I think most joy in life comes from having a joyful mindset. Can you sing a happy song while doing chores? Children tend to easily embrace joy in even the most mundane tasks. My daughter, Annie, will happily “do dishes” for hours. If you think about it, what’s not to love about warm water and bubbles?
My Grandma Eva, who was 93 years old, passed away this week, and I find myself channeling her energy while cleaning house. I believe Eva was someone who genuinely loved cleaning and the feeling of satisfaction it provides. I remember all her homes as tidy and bright spaces. I also know she happily did the dishes after almost every meal. Eva embraced the fun tunes of tidying.
Here are some ideas to infuse cleaning with more fun:
Use great cleaning products- the smell and feel of a product matter!
Clean together- The more the merrier!
Break it up- Cleaning does not have to be done all at once. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Fuel up- Eat something with lasting energy before tackling projects.
Embrace shortcuts- Learn your home and feel free to skip areas and combine chores as it makes sense.
Use order of execution to your advantage- Go top to bottom, then all around, and clean floors last.
Make a list and cross it off- Maybe I’m strange (probably), but I get huge satisfaction from completing lists.
Get in the mood- You know yourself best, so do something to encourage your “cleaning energy” and plan to clean at a times where you are fresh.
Picture the next day like Christmas morning- Think how can I set myself up for a wonderful day?What little surprises will make my day brighter and easier?
Take a “bubble shower” where you clean the shower before cleaning yourself. Turn up the music or listen to a podcast or audio book.
Get your workout- speed things up a little for a cardio workout and embrace all the ways you move.
Reward yourself- I often treat myself to dinner, because I never feel like cooking in my freshly cleaned kitchen. I also think clean sheets are their own reward!
Put things away ASAP- New items are most exciting when you first get them, so harness that good energy and find them a spot as soon as you bring them home.
Do it NOW! Postponing cleaning quickly turns into a burden, but doing things now feels good!
Do it daily- Take little moments to pick up, so you can avoid full day cleaning sessions.
Embrace the increased appreciation for your home and stuff gained through cleaning.
Do one thing at a time and cleanup BEFORE moving onto the next activity.
Sing a song- “Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere, everybody do your share… Clean up, clean up, everybody lend a hand, it’s more fun with the band…”
Put stuff to bed- Say goodnight to things as you “tuck them into” their proper place.
Make it a game- Race, stack, categorize, decorate, and beautify. How fast can you clean something? How well can you sort your things? What season can you decorate for?
I truly hope these tips increase your joy in cleaning!
Love Always,
Meg
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