Last week I mentioned that “if your emotions are feeling chaotic and cluttered, you may also be expressing that by letting dishes and mail pile up, not taking care of your clothes, or not keeping up with regular cleaning. That can start a vicious cycle.”
Housework can seem overwhelming, and you may not look forward to the task because you’re convinced that it’s just boring drudgery.
Maybe a change of mindset is in order! Have you ever noticed that being near a body of water can feel calming, and even spiritual? Maybe you find the same effect by just sitting and watching the rain. Why not see if you can find that same spiritual connection when you do household chores with water (washing dishes, mopping).
Other people find it absolutely meditative to do things like knitting or needlepoint. They lose themselves in the repetitive motions – the end result is almost a bonus! Housework can have a similar effect. And in the case of housework, the end result is a clean, orderly haven that will promote your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just plain unmotivated, try setting a date to have a friend over. Now you have extra incentive – and a due date – to make your home a welcoming place. And you’ll get the extra bonus of a social connection.
My final, most important suggestion is that you start small. Instead of thinking about how you have to “clean the house” or “get rid of all your clutter,” plan to just tidy up the kitchen counter, or vacuum one of the bedrooms. Enjoy the feeling of gratification from completing that task, and then move on to your next one.
Next week, I’ll send some helpful resources that will help you make your home a haven. If you’re interested in attending a workshop on this topic, please visit https://www.whitepicketfencecounselingcenter.com/contact.shtml to request the details.