Well, ladies, I guess this week’s ‘food for thought’ is just for you since this is typically something men don’t participate in – unless you send them to the garage! ‘Tis the dreaded season for Spring Cleaning! This season began on March 20th; that was two months ago! Have you begun yet??? Remember that in less than a month, the summer heat should be arriving, and a thorough cleaning of your home is probably not going to be any easier in scorching weather. It would no doubt be better to tackle on a cool, dreary day when the outdoors doesn’t exactly welcome us, and we’ve had plenty of those days of late. So pick a day and get started!
I read an article recently about a survey (of more than 1,000 people) that assessed the dreaded chore of spring cleaning. Keep in mind that these surveys are not always completely accurate and vary according to the participants’ tolerance of dirt and dust …but I’ll share with you its results.
‘The Survey Said’ that most women would rather deep clean their kitchen than deep clean their bedroom. While I understand the importance of having a clean kitchen since that’s where food is prepared, the bedroom is also where we sleep every night. I’d say both are equally important.
‘The Survey Said’ too that laundry was the most popular chore, which I can understand since it’s really not all that difficult – after all, the machine actually does the work for us. All we have to do is load and unload the washer and transfer it the dryer, another machine that does the job for us!! Laundry being the favorite might be a little misleading too because unlike Spring cleaning, surely most of us tackle this task more than once a year I hope, so that makes a great deal of difference, wouldn’t you say?
I don’t know if the survey was multiple choice or not, but if you could write in your own answers, I would have ranked clearing clutter as my #1 dread. Most of us are probably prone to putting that off unless it’s really a necessity, and even if you don’t qualify as a hoarder, nearly all of us are guilty of keeping things we no longer use or wear (just in case).
But think of how much space could become available if we have the willpower to let go of things. We may not realize just how much clutter we might have stashed in hidden places. The reason purging things is difficult for me is that (1) it would probably take the most time; and (2) I would have a hard time letting go of sentimental things even if they’re packed and stored out of sight.
Believe it or not, ‘The Survey Said’ that at least a third of the participants never deep-clean their homes. I may be a little picky, and I do like things in order, but I can’t imagine NEVER doing spring cleaning! While it’s not something I look forward to, my theory is to realize from the get-go that it will take some time. One drawer at a time, one closet at a time, one room at a time. I’ve learned to be proud of myself if I can complete one room per day.
There are 93 days between Spring and Summer to accomplish these dreaded tasks, so think about it; unless you have more than 93 rooms in your house, it should be doable to finish before summer begins. Just imagine the personal satisfaction you’ll feel when it’s done! One thing I’ve learned is that it’s best to tackle the least favorite chore first; don’t procrastinate! Ask yourself which is worse – doing the chore or the anxiety you feel because you didn’t do it and it’s still waiting for you! If you get that most dreaded chore out of the way first; then the others seem more doable.
‘The Survey Said’, and it’s a good reminder, that we look forward to the fresh air and beauty of the outdoors in Spring; so why shouldn’t coming indoors offer us the same freshness and beauty? I found out several days ago that this particular survey was spot on. We finally had some sunshine and it changed my attitude! I felt energized and made the most of the day, undertaking several indoor tasks on my list that had been sitting there so long, the paper had turned yellow! I truly did feel better that my to-do list had dwindled somewhat, and hopefully I’ll remember that the next time I procrastinate.
Quote of the Week: “Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” ~ Author Unknown
