Spring has Sprung, Time for Cleaning to be Done

March 26, 2019

spring cleaning colored brooms Spring has officially arrived, at least according to the calendar! Yea! Once again I can sit on the porch to enjoy my coffee and the morning sunshine. The birds are busy building nests and serenading us with their songs. I watch the squirrels play as I imagine the beautiful front garden I will create this year.

But along with spring comes Spring Cleaning. Not yea! I can usually ignore this part of spring, but apparently not this year. God has been quietly speaking to me about decluttering for months. However this week, that quiet voice has been getting louder. Everywhere I turned, I was hearing about the benefits of decluttering. Motivational YouTube videos from people I follow, e-mail blogs, and my Pinterest feeds all focused on decluttering and cleaning this week. Even answering tax question about home repair and maintenance made me realize how little I had done last year. I have really let stuff pile up since my sciatica started acting up last summer. I've been reminded this last week of all the benefits of a decluttered and clean house.

Saves time-One quote I heard was the average person spends 55.2 minutes a day searching for items we can't find. Things like keys, remote control and purse or wallets. I don't think I hit 55 minutes a day, closer to 15. but that is still almost 2 hours a week
Saves money-Have you ever went out and bought something, only to find it when you came home? Or had to pay late fees because you forgot when a bill was due? Did you know that clean appliances last longer and are less expensive to maintain? Decluttering makes you more efficient and keeps you organized, therefore, saving you money.
Keeps you healthy-Cleaning not only get rid of dust and pollen that causes allergies, but it also reduces stress. A dirty and disorganized house signals your brain that your work is not done so it is harder to relax and rest.

So here goes. Following the advice, I've been getting, here what I'm going to do.

First, make a plan. The task is overwhelming as I look at everything to be done. So I'll break it down in bite-size pieces and set a time limit-20 to 30 minutes a day. Since I work from home, I can schedule small projects, 5-10 minute ones, to accomplish one of my breaks. I'll need to plan an entire day for a few areas, like the front porch. It's become like the junk drawer-only lots bigger.

Second, ask for help. I need Steve's cooperation and advice on what to keep, what to get rid of, and what to give away. I'll also need his help moving and carrying said stuff. In difficult spots, I may need to call my daughter so she can say it is ok to throw it away! My Mom and sister will have all kinds of tips on how to clean stuff if I can't find the info on the internet.

Third, I won't beat myself up if I miss a day. Sometimes things happen that throw a wrench into any plans we have. That is ok, I'll just keep going. I will celebrate my victories and plan to reward myself for completing each task. Maybe some new bath wash when the bathroom is cleaned, a candle when the dining room is completed, or a new shirt when the bedroom is done.

Stay motivated until it is all done. Be determined not to quit until it is done. If it takes a day, week, month, or even half the year! One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to keep the promises we make to ourselves. Keep that promise and finish the job no matter how long it takes.

Last Celebrate! I'm planning in rewards for completing tasks and staying on track. Add rewards into the plan so there is something to look forward to when the task is completed. For example, when I finish the bathroom, I'll buy a new bubble bath and enjoy a leisurely bath

.What does Spring cleaning look like at your home? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing about it.