IT'S SPRINGTIME: Tips for those who don't get a buzz out of cleaning!

So it’s spring and that seems to come along with a term called ‘cleaning’ …

Yes, the time of year for, apparently, de-cluttering …

Here’s the thing with cleaning at any time of the year, I know it’s good for the soul, I know it feels amazing AFTER, but I’m one of those women who doesn’t actually enjoy the ‘actual cleaning’.

I love this quote by Nancy Mitford:

“I think housework is far more tiring and frightening than hunting is, no comparison, and yet after hunting, we had eggs for tea and were made to rest for hours, but after housework people expect one to go on just as if nothing special had happened.”

Housework is one of those things I want the whole family to notice. I have friends who get such joy from cleaning … I wish I was like them … but I don’t think anything could ever make me LOVE cleaning! It’s something that HAS to be done.

Plus, when you have children it’s one of those things that never seems to end! I like to work on projects and tick them off my list knowing I’ve met a deadline. Cleaning doesn’t work like that when you have children …

You can spend a full day cleaning and the next day the house looks as if it’s been burgled. I’m a believer that life is precious and time is of the essence. However, all that aside, cleaning is kind of a must, unless you’re happy to wallow around in dust and dirt …

On a serious note though, research shows that cleaning can make us happy! I’m going with the after-effect of cleaning can make us happy, because I do not clean my toilets and feel happiness.

But having a complete clear-out can be very soothing for the soul. That’s why spring cleaning has become a tradition. It’s a chance to clear out the winter clothes etc. It’s a time to get ready for brighter weather, clearer nights and longer days … it’s thought we become a lot more active when the sunnier weather arrives.

So, I’ve admitted defeat and I have spring cleaned … I know … I was hoping the fairies would do it, but it didn’t happen, I got stuck in … lots of things went to the tip, lots of things went to charity and lots of things went in cupboards (because you just don’t know when they’ll be needed).

For those like me, who don’t find joy in the actual cleaning process, but LOVE the feeling after, I’ve put together a few tips for you …

THINK LONG-TERM

Think of cleaning as a job, a project … it will come to an end and you will feel empowered after. You will experience a kind of peace with yourself. Focus on this calming and peaceful feeling. Even if it lasts for a day!

PUT MUSIC OR AN AUDIOBOOK ON

This is a must for me; headphones in and listening to my latest book. I use audible from Amazon, which is fab. But if you’re a music lover, stick on your favourite tunes and dance your way around the dust.

ONE ROOM AT A TIME

I always think if you start from the top first and work your way down through the house. By eliminating rooms as you go, you’ll feel like you’re achieving something rather than flitting between different rooms and feeling like you’re not getting anywhere. Once you can close the door to one room, it will encourage you to keep going.

TAKE YOUR TIME

I love deadlines. I like things to be complete within a certain timeframe so I can move onto the next thing. That’s just the way I work, it helps me achieve important tasks. However, if you rush the cleaning process, you may not feel at peace when you finished. To do a thorough spring-clean could take a few days, a week or longer, (Try not to make the process too long, because you’ll be a full year in and back to spring cleaning again, plus the aim is to feel fresh and finished). However, life can’t stop because we are de-cluttering, so there will still be work commitments, school-runs, family duties etc. But don’t give up. Set yourself a realistic target and aim towards that.

REWARD YOURSELF

Ooohhhh …. my favourite tip! I’m a believer in rewarding my children for good behaviour, but I also believe this should extend to adults. If we’ve achieved a goal we should reward ourselves. It makes life lots more interesting. Your reward could be a glass of fizz or a new outfit (to fill up the space you’ve emptied in your clear-out!) Whatever you decide, indulge yourself … remember this reward as you work through each room.

Hopefully, the above tips will help. Admittedly it does feel lovely after the cleaning process is complete … until my girls decide to start on a creative project and the mess starts AGAIN!

This is the month to celebrate spring-time … so going with our printables theme this year, I’ve created some prints that will hopefully give you a spring in your step, or bring fun to your home.

You can see both sets of print packages below and as always purchase, download and print for your own home from my online shop.

PACKAGE ONE – FUN QUIRKY SPRING CLEANING QUOTES

ABOUT NOT CLEANING