Spring cleaning is the perfect time of year to
purge your home of extraneous stuff, donate items you’re no longer using, and
organize everything underneath the kitchen sink. But for those put-it-offers
and to-do list defiers, springing into spring cleaning is a bit of a challenge.
If you find yourself standing by a cluttered
nightstand or sealing off the basement to avoid the mess, you’re not alone.
You’re not out of luck, either…there are a variety of ways procrastinators can
spring clean before next autumn.
Try one of the following:
Consider the Health Benefits
A home with more mess means a home with more
stress. Research suggests that clutter is tied to
anxiety and decreased mental wellbeing. A bedroom full of old clothes or a
living room stacked with boxes can compromise relaxation, distract from
important things, over-stimulate the senses, and inhibit creativity. Of course,
it also makes it harder to find things, especially your car keys when you’re
already late for work.
Break it Into Chunks
One of the reasons it’s so easy to put off
spring cleaning is because it feels like an overwhelming undertaking that’s
sure to swear you off Lysol forever. But there is no rule that your home needs
to be organized in one day. So, break it down into doable tasks. For example, organize
the pantry one Saturday afternoon and tackle the hall closet the next weekend.
Pick the Right Time
Unless you’re someone who loves the thrill of
the mop and the delight of the duster, cleaning isn’t exactly a fun activity.
Many of us put it off simply because of the more enticing things we’d rather do
and this makes timing key. Plan to spring clean when there’s little else to
distract you. A snow day or a Monday off from work might make ideal times to
dive in.
Reward Yourself
While a spick and span space has its own draw,
there’s no shame in needing extra motivation. Treat yourself with a massage, a
night out with friends, or something you’ve been wanting to buy and reward
yourself after the spring cleaning is done. If you want to reward yourself
during it, mop the floors or scour the cabinets while binge-watching the latest
Netflix series; iPads are portable for this reason.
Make it Meaningful
The easiest way to make spring cleaning
meaningful is to donate your items to a worthwhile cause, such as Veterans
of America. Each organization has its own rules for what they’ll
accept so check with them beforehand. Certain companies won’t accept items that
are too large, for example, even if they’re in stellar condition.
Solicit Help
Spring cleaning does not have to be a solo endeavor;
if other people live in your home, asking them to help makes perfect sense. Do
you have children? This is one of the reasons why.
From light dusting to heavy lifting, cleaning is never
the most exciting activity. But the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll
get it over with. So, use the above advice to jump in; you can procrastinate
tomorrow.
Fox
Ridge Apartments in Longmont offers a quiet residential location,
mountain views, and modern amenities. We’re the perfect place to call home.
Contact us to learn more.