Mindful Cleaning 101: How to Clean Your House with Intention
Being a mom is a full-time job. You have to juggle the kiddos’ school schedules, make sure they’re well-fed and not getting into trouble, and then, at the end of the day, you’re left with a messy house and a pile of used dishes. Sometimes, when the mess is too chaotic, cleaning can be so overwhelming you’d rather not do it at all. This is where mindfulness can be a lifesaver.
When you get in the habit of mindful cleaning, decluttering your house stops being a chore. Instead, you’re able to turn cleaning into a relaxing, therapeutic practice that improves your sense of peace and happiness. Who knows? When your kids see you floating on a cloud of Zen while you spruce up the house, they might even want to get in on the action themselves.
To help you get started, we’ve outlined some of our favorite mindful cleaning tips below
1. Take Your Time
It’s stressful when you’re in a rush to clean your house. Being in a hurry can make cleaning your home a dreaded chore that you avoid like the plague. For this reason, it’s important to set aside a big chunk of time dedicated to cleaning so you can do so comfortably at an even pace.
If you schedule yourself a time to clean and still feel anxious, just take a deep breath in and out, following your breath as you go. When you learn to let go, relax, and take your time, cleaning can become an enjoyable form of self-care.
2. Let Go of Old Items
Speaking of letting go, one of the best ways to keep your house clean is to be mindful about what pieces of clutter are no longer serving you.
For example, when organizing your closet space, think about the old articles of clothing you no longer wear. Contemplate that sweater that gathers dust in the back of your closet. Is it still serving you? Does it bring you joy when you think about wearing it? If not, you may want to put it in a pile of clothes for donation.
When you get in the habit of letting go of old items, you’re able to make room for growth in your home and in your life.
3. Be Present
Sometimes, we can’t help but feel completely scatterbrained. When you’re doing the laundry, for example, there’s a good chance you’re loading clothes on autopilot while your mind thinks about something completely unrelated. Maybe you’re thinking about your favorite TV show, or about that horribly embarrassing moment in high school, or about how you can’t wait to treat yourself with a movie or spa day later.
Intrusive thoughts such as these prevent you from properly appreciating the present moment. This can make cleaning less productive and less enjoyable. Instead, focus on the sensations you feel as you clean. When you wash the dishes, feel the warm water wash over your fingers. Smell the scent of your dish soap. Feel the inhale and exhale of your breath. This will help you check in to the present moment and time will start to fly by.
Conclusion
As a mom, sometimes you get overwhelmed with too many chores and responsibilities. Luckily, with mindful cleaning, you can spruce up your house while bringing peace to your mind. For more information on mindful cleaning, the folks at Angi have provided the infographic below.
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