Tidy-up Your Home 15 minutes at a time
I know it really drags to take your weekend to clean your house. I know when I was cleaning on the weekends and doing laundry it will take at least 3-4 hours all in. I worked full-time 6 days a week and got home way too tired to do anything.
I grew up believing that the weekend was the only time to clean, and I followed this model until I got married.
You see, when your roommate/spouse has a complete different set of traditions, it encourages you to re-assess.
That is if you desire a peaceful household.
I noticed that the reason why I was taking so long was that I was an “all in” cleaner. I mean it was time to take everything out of the drawers/cabinets and really get every corner. Scrub until my back hurt. And I noticed something else too. Just when I was about 90% done, I would want to give up, and 9 out of 10, I did give up, throwing the remaining in my “junk drawer” or under the sink.
Can you relate to this frustration? It’s like leading a sprint by being ahead of everyone until a few feet from the goal, you drop to the floor because you’re done.
For years I would repeat this cycle without changing it. And because my husband is a joker, his mocking became annoying, to say the least. So it was time to go back to the drawing board or what I believe is the highest productivity tip - deep thinking (reflecting). Meaning taking two steps back in order to move forward.
Where did I learn to clean? Can I re-learn?
Why do I get so intense about every task in front of me?
Why do I feel as if someone is going to come with a white glove to test my work?
Does my process of cleaning bring satisfaction or does it drain all my energy?
Why do I put in so many hours to clean the mess at work and neglect myself and my own house?
I have been following Marie Kondo and her Konmari Method for about 3 years now and recently it has landed differently. Decluttering is a practice of asking ourselves questions. It’s the art and science of prioritizing and making decisions.
We can learn methods, and watch all the YouTube videos out in the algorithm, to our heart’s content. And if we miss reflecting, we go back to our patterns. Letting go of our old patterns, allow the right space for new ones.
I’m in the middle of relocating to a different home and state. As well as my mother who lives downstairs, and mother-in-law, who lives upstairs. Yes, we’re the mom sandwich in this house. This circumstance has led to more reflecting on my process before I start helping the mommies.
Today, I sit in the eye of this perfect storm. Or I can write - today, I get the opportunity to apply the process of reflecting (pen to paper), gratitude, and taking action.
I started a new weekly Livestream called “The Spring Decluttering Series.” Check out the series here, and keep in mind, the power of your own reflection and pace. All the YouTube videos have timestamps of the process so you can go back in if you need to.
Process # 1: Reflecting and answering the questions
Process # 2: Making mental space
Process # 3: Underthinking and taking action
The one thing that has helped with this process is the Power of 15 minutes. It’s a way for me to understand the one task in front of me. It gives me permission to stop for a drink, pet my dog, cuddle with my husband, go for a walk, dance, etc.
Go back until your task is finished, setting a timer for every 15 minutes starts the process of taking healthy breaks. I am giving myself 2-3 sets of 15 a day until we move out.
Shout out to all the great influences like Jimmy and his mom for role modeling how to take breaks. Like my mom, I thought they were being “lazy,” and the reality is that they had way more energy than us at the end of the day.
Do you know of anyone who can benefit from the accountability and encouragement? Share this post with them. I hope you to join me live this Spring 2022 or until next season.
Love,
Me.
