I feel like my house is put together if: the bed is made, there isn’t a mountain of dishes in the sink, and the counters are clear. Two relatively simple tasks, right? But for me, they seem to make all the difference. I wouldn’t say I’m a crazy clean person, but I do believe I flourish better in de-cluttered and clean environments. The floor doesn’t have to be spotless, all the laundry doesn’t have to be done, but I do like to feel ahead of the cleaning game. After talking about it with a friend, I realized there are a couple reasons why I take the time [most days] to make the bed, empty the sink, and clean the counters.
1. It simply looks better. Decorative pillows and straightened sheets make me smile when I walk in my bedroom, as opposed to a pile of sheets that cause a little stress.
2. I feel more productive for other tasks when our house is clean. Whether it’s designing a logo, reading a book, cleaning out a closet, etc, I feel more able to get stuff done. If there is clutter everywhere I am easily distracted by whatever I happen upon — dishes, shoes everywhere, etc.
3. I can find things quicker. I think the simpler I keep my material belongings, the easier this part of life will become. If things are put away, I can find them quickly when I suddenly need them. Not everything has a perfect, “permanent” place, but when I’ve taken the time to tidy up, I know where items are.
4. I feel more comfortable spontaneously inviting people over. Not that I think I have to reach some particular standard to be accepted, but I will confess that I’m more inclined to spontaneously invite people over if I know things are at least relatively picked up.
5. It helps our family thrive. I don’t have any kids yet, but I can tell that J and I get home from work, getting started with dinner is far more enjoyable if last night’s dirty dishes aren’t all over the counter. Can anyone else testify to this? I think that when we do have kids, it may seem silly to be sure we make the bed, or clean the dishes right after dinner, but in the long run, I think we’ll feel overall better suited to tackle the day.
Do you have any cleaning quirks like I do?
What is your favorite room in your home? Mine is probably our living room.
I couldn’t agree more with these points! It’s amazing what it difference it makes mentally when I come home from work to a put-together room than when I come home to blankets everywhere and dishes in the sink. My husband likes to rearrange the living room furniture to play video games, so I’d say my “quirk” is that I am always moving it back. :) I also love #4 — it’s so nice to have a home that’s ready for people anytime!
For us, it’s not even so much spontaneous invitations as people spontaneously dropping by (a hazard of living in SE Asia, but one we’ve come to love!). I’m happier in a clean house, and it’s worth the work to make it that way!
I feel the same way when my space is organized & clean! I have two kids, so I’ve had to let my preferences go just a little (For example, I don’t clean the dishes & put them in the dishwasher as we dirty them, but instead keep the dirty dishes neatly stacked in the sink/on the counter & clean the whole kitchen every evening after dinner), but before nap & before bed I pick everything up & get my space just the way I like it. This helps me rest & enjoy my time in a clutter/distraction free environment!
YES. It’s just something about a clean house! It makes my entire outlook cleaner really.
Rest and enjoying time in a distraction-free environment.. yes, Lori! I definitely agree.
Haha, I’d probably be the same way about rearranging the furniture back, Brittany. :)
I can relate, Anna! It helps me go out into the day more confidently and ‘ready.’ :)