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A guide to Spring Cleaning

For the procrastinators, the lazy, the motivated, and everyone in between.

By Emilia the BatPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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A guide to Spring Cleaning
Photo by Anton on Unsplash

Lets face it...

Cleaning sucks. It takes time and effort none of us feel like putting in. After all, we have more important things to do with our free time.

We all have done it. Looked at something, acknowledge it needed to be cleaned, then decided it can wait one more day. This is why Spring Cleaning’s so important. It forces us to deal with all of those annoying projects we keep pushing off.

Regardless of how unpleasant it sounds, you’re heading in the right direction. After all, you clicked into this article. So from here, where to go?

I present to you...

My spring cleaning guide for the procrastinators, the lazy, the motivated, and everyone in between.

Step one: Pick a reward(or several small ones) for your efforts.

Yes, a clean house is a reward enough for many. As well as finding all of those hidden treasures buried under your junk (and if you're lucky that one missing sock). But sometimes it’s hard to keep motivated through the cleaning process. It gets boring, long, and some are just too tired to bother. That’s where a reward comes into play. We love positive reinforcement. After all, by giving yourself small treats, you build a positive association with the act of spring cleaning. Why do you think we give dogs treats when we teach them tricks? The mind associates good food with the action. It doesn’t even have to be food. Anything works. That top you wanted at your local clothing store? A new set of earbuds? When you feel like quitting, think about what’s on the other side. Just make sure you don’t buy it until you finish.

Step Two: Write a To-Do list

This may sound like a waste of time, but a simple list works wonders. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a bulleted collection of notes. Make sure to clean that spot on the ceiling, mop the bathroom, organize the bookshelf. Once seeing everything you have to do, you can make a plan of action. Maybe do the bigger projects one day? Or do everything in the bedroom first, then move on. And Besides what’s more satisfying than putting another check on the list? I always find it motivational to see how many things I can cross off in a given timeframe.

Step Three: Gather your supplies

Nothing sucks more than getting into your project, then realize something is missing. From your cleaners and scrubbers down to garbage bags, make sure it’s all accounted for. That way you will (hopefully) avoid the surprise trip to the store. I mean, who wants to go to Walmart covered in bleach and cobwebs?

Step Four: Turn on some music or Podcast and begin

Cleaning and organizing suck on their own. Why not lighten the mood with some tunes or stories? There’s no reason to sit in silence and stew in the fact you let things pile up.

Step Five: Begin Cleaning, Fixing, and Repairing

Start wherever it best suits you. I normally start at one end of the house and work my way over. Some choose to do the worst tasks first to get them out of the way. Others declutter first just so there’s less to deal with in the cleaning steps. You do you.

Step Six: Declutter

Whether you donate, sell or throw out old items, it’s important to declutter your spaces. Over time, we collect useless items that bring us no real use. Sweaters from Christmas that you’d never wear, old books you now realize you’ll never read. Put these items aside and you will thank yourselves for making extra room when something better comes into your life.

Step Seven: Break in your new clean home

When all is said and done, your home will look much better than it was before. Go out and get your reward, pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you’ve done. Maybe light a candle or diffuse a nice smell to compliment the clean space. Take a minute to appreciate all you have.

There you go, my seven-step to spring cleaning. I hope you enjoyed and wish a productive spring to all.

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About the Creator

Emilia the Bat

An aspiring writer and artist looking for an escape from her day job.

https://twitter.com/Emilia_the_Bat

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