I’m the first one to admit that I do not like to clean. Some people get enjoyment out of cleaning. I am not one of them. I can think of at least 47 other activities I’d engage in before cleaning and at least one of those involves getting on a scale. In fact, on my list of things I’d like to do with my day, cleaning falls right after laundry and just before running.
That’s how much I hate it.
But I do it anyway. And I do it for these reasons:
- It alleviates anxiety. When my house, or at least my kitchen and desk, are clean, it puts my mind at ease. It’s one less thing I need to do and when I go into either my office or my kitchen, the site of a clean desk or counter means that I’m not distracted by clutter. I can focus what I went into that room to do. I’m also not freaking out that I must clean all the things.
From Hyperbole and a Half. Allie Brosh is one of my blogging heroes. - It saves me money. Living primarily on my husband’s income means that we need to be extra careful with our money. We need to stick to our budget as much as possible, and if my house is dirty or cluttered, I’m more apt to spend outside of that budget because I either a) can’t find what I need so I have to buy new; b) need to get out of the house since sitting in the mess makes me frustrated; or c) both a and b. If my house is clean, I don’t mind staying home and I can find what I need when I need it.
- It makes me feel better. There is just something about living in a clean environment that helps lift me from a funk. If my house is a mess, I feel like I’m a mess. I feel disorganized, disheveled, and oddly childlike and I start to act accordingly. It’s easy to fall into a depressive state when my house is a disaster because that’s my home. If I can’t keep that clean, then I can’t take care of anything else. And it spirals from there. So I clean it and I instantly feel better. Not only is actually cleaning an accomplishment in and of itself, but when I look at a clean environment, I can focus on other parts of my life.
That’s why today’s task is to clean something. Anything. Make your bed. Wash the dishes. Clean your bathroom or your car or your whole house. What you clean isn’t as important as the fact that you are actually cleaning something. If you’re struggling with picking what to clean, start with what’s bothering you the most. And when you’re done, step back and admire your handiwork.
Also, make a mental note of your mood before you start cleaning. Let yourself feel those emotions. Then, when you’re done, make a note of how you feel. Is there any difference? Let yourself feel those emotions, too. Write them down somewhere if you feel like it. But definitely make sure to remember how you felt during the process of cleaning. It’ll help the next time. Because there will be a next time.
I assure you that the process is worth it. The tedium of cleaning is worth the feeling of pride and accomplishment when you’re done. And you will feel happier, too.
In this case, the end definitely justifies the means. Even if the means are as horrible as cleaning.
Comments
Trackbacks
-
[…] week. We’ve gotten intropective, done a fair amount of work on ourselves and our environment (remember day 2 when we had to clean?), and we’ve started putting together lists to look at when we’re feeling down. […]
I’m actually one of those weird people who likes cleaning. It’s meditative for me, and like you I always feel better once it’s done. It’s just like that “ahhhh” feeling. But my bathroom closet is rather disorganized and messy so I’ll tackle that today.
Tonya recently posted…October Challenge: Let’s look fierce!
My closets are actually rather organized. Which is weird. Because they should be hiding places for mess.
Of course you would start with my least favorite things! We shall see what gets cleaned today.
Jenniemarie @ Another Housewife recently posted…Working It Out Wednesday: Get Moving
Think about how happy you’ll be when it’s done! I picked it first intentionally 🙂
Most times I can’t focus with clutter or disorganization around the house, so usually thats the first thing before I sit down for a productive day. Its definitely therapeautic as Tonya has intimated, I guess the act of physically cleaning also tends to declutter the mind improve focus.
Simon @ Modest Money recently posted…Dealing With An Emergency Without An Emergency Fund
My mood really affects how often I clean and how much I enjoy it (or not). It’s been an embarrasingly long time since I’ve done the dishes…. I’m almost afraid to look!
But since I’m going to try my best to follow this, that’s what I’m going to tackle when I get home.
Amanda recently posted…Where Did The Time Go?
I NEVER enjoy the process of cleaning. I put on music to make is seem less awful and it helps just a bit. But the end result is worth the effort.
Glad you’re going to tackle the dishes! I’m still hoping for self cleaning ones.
This is great advice! I was feeling in a funk last week and I went through all of my summer clothes got out things for fall and did a huge purge of everything I didn’t need. Then, I bought a new vacuum which I’ve been meaning to do for a while. But who wants to splurge on a vacuum? But when I put it to the test, it was actually really satisfying.
We got a Dyson for Christmas one year. It is amazing the difference good products can make when you are cleaning.
And hooray for a purge! My clothes are due for one.
I cleaned shit today and I have a stomach bug. Cleanliness is important to me.
I would use feeling bad as an excuse not to clean. Unless you are referring to actual shit, in which case I would most definitely clean that.
I cleaned my kitchen! 🙂
I’ve been putting it off for several days (other than running the dishwasher once), no reason really, just laziness. I knew I wanted to participate in your 31 steps for feeling happier challenge but when I saw this post this morning I didn’t know what I was going to clean. But when I got home from work today and looked at the kitchen I knew that’s what it was going to be. Feels so much better now that it’s clean.
Nothing like not being able to find the sides you want for dinner when the cupboard is cluttered!
I will add that sometimes you do have to spend a bit of money to stay clean. If you don’t have proper storage for your items, it’s worth it to spend some to keep things clean.
Tara @ Streetsaheadliving.com recently posted…Living in the big city can save you money…