When spring cleaning is mentioned I automatically picture a grandmother with clothes on the line, apron secure, a handkerchief tied around her head and a broom in hand ready to beat on a rug.
What does Spring Cleaning make you think of?
There are so many cuuuuute “spring cleaning” printables available from wonderful bloggers designed to guide us on our spring clean. Best of all, they are free. No excuses then, right?
Spring cleaning printables
From Heidi @ HoneyBear Lane (very organized, different colors available)
From Erin @ How To Nest For Less (very spring-y)
Shannon & Dean @ AKA Design (very simple, didn’t overwhelm me)
Kelly @ Imperfect Homemaking (open the windows…)
Even 31 days to a clean house from Becky @ Clean Mama
The Ultimate Guide to a Clean & Healthy Home @ the Filter Butler (at the end of the post you can download the printable)
Our houses should be anticipating spring cleaning right around the corner then, huh? We have everything we need. Then, what is my problem? Why don’t I (or you) print out a list and get cleaning? Ugh, the thought of it is so overwhelming…And, I am not feeling any motivation?
How to find motivation
What if I renamed “spring cleaning” to the “Spring Purge?”
Would that make a difference in my frame of mind? Would I be more motivated and do it?
It’s all about the results
I love that Michelle Connolly of Get Organized Wizard does A Declutter Project. Every January she goes through her house room by room, cabinet by cabinet and drawer by drawer to declutter. Her mantra is “Move fast. Don’t over think. Let it go.” Here are her after photos!!
“I’m definitely not one of those people who enjoys the cleaning or organizing process – I only love the results. They feel amazing.” ~ Michelle Connolly
Isn’t that everyone’s reason to organize (or clean)? Because we like the results?? We like how we feel in our space?
Have you ever sold a house? To prepare to sell it you work your BUTT off painting, cleaning, clearing clutter, updating, completing projects you’ve been putting off, etc. When you are ready to list it and have a realtor come in to take the photos it looks AMAZING! You say to yourself, “Why didn’t I do this earlier?”
Lets combine the “selling our house” mindset and the “Spring Purge” name change so we gain motivation and take action. Motivation is a big player in taking action. But it is not the only thing. Action requires making an appointment and keeping the appointment.
We all WANT to enjoy the feelings of a clean, organized home. But, when I think of my entire house full of our entire family’s stuff the whole house declutter and clean project still seems overwhelming!! That is why most people do not make progress or even BEGIN to organize, declutter or clean.
What do you do when you are overwhelmed? Most do nothing. Let’s be different. Stand out.
One thing at a time
That’s my motto: One thing at a time.
Break it down and do a little each day, each week, on a Saturday or per month…
- Separate your home into rooms
- Divide the rooms into sections
- Assign dates to each section
- Only look at the first assigned task and get to work clearing the space while sorting, purging, cleaning and reassigning homes, then set limits by containing.
- ENJOY the AWESOME feelings that a clutter free, clean, beautiful space gives. Let these feelings and your completed space motivate you to get started on your next task.
Set deadlines
To increase your chances of a successful purge get with a friend you really respect. Exchange your goal dates.
When that day arrives view each others results! Post your before and after photos on my Simply Squared Away Facebook page to inspire all of us!!
Make the dates you set a priority in your schedule. Use time that becomes available as an opportunity to get ahead of schedule. A participant in my Paper Bliss home study course recently said that she had an unexpected day off and she used that day to organize, declutter and purge her home office area. What a great FEELING when you accomplish what you set out to do…and even accomplish it early!!!
Do it anyways
If all else fails and you are still unmotivated…DO IT ANYWAYS!
{Just a little sweet encouragement…or, kick in the pants.}
I love the energy burst I feel when my home is clean, so I love spring cleaning and purging activities. I recently had an unexpected day off, so I shredded 20 years of old income tax forms and receipts! Yaaa-hoooo!
WOW! Great job! Gotta love those productive days off!