How to Clean As Things Are Falling Apart

I don’t even wait for spring to start. I’m not a fast cleaner (or a cleaner on most days) so I try to do this when the new year starts approaching. I start cleaning little by little each day so that when the new year (or season) comes by, I’ve organized and cleaned my room and things in time to start fresh. I used to have more energy to organize for whole days but these days when I’m just trying to get by, I do just a little at a time. We’ve mostly been cooped up these days at home due to the pandemic so it’s also good to reorganize things to give yourself a new perspective on things and life.

I like to tackle my desk first since it’s where I do everything each day and things pile fast on it. A clean desk helps me work better (for my WFH job) and I’m less frustrated when things aren’t piled high onto each other that I can’t even find something that’s long since been buried (like my new tags for my car from the DMV). I also have 2 cats that actively love pushing things off the table for fun, causing an even bigger mess!

Actually they might have the right idea! I toss everything off my desk so that I can give it a good wipe down from dust and kitty prints, then start rearranging things back on it. I like to put my computer and work equipment back on first. I make sure the monitor screen is at a comfortable place to see, the keyboard and mouse are in a comfortable area for hands, and wires out of the way. Then I like to move onto the pile of papers - shred and toss junk mail and ads, keep stuff that needs immediate attention or still needs to be done (like bills or documents needed to file taxes) on table so I don’t forget. After the important items have been arranged, then I put my newly cleaned decor and knick knacks back on (getting rid of the ones that I no longer care for). I feel immediately better doing just my desk and am in no danger of knocking over a pile of somethings when I swing my arm around.

I tackle the clothes in my closet next since it’s another pain point for me. I actually try to go through my closet every season to keep it clear. I’m one of those people who like to shop when bored, when stressed, when paid...and when not paid...I’m actually doing much better on this. I used to buy anything that was cute or pretty immediately. I couldn’t help myself but each time I go through my closet to clear out things I never ended up using for donation or things that did not stand the test of time, I’m making mental notes - ‘That material was uncomfortable. That material could not be cleaned easily. That material catches on things easily. That color doesn’t seem to go well with anything.’ These mental notes actually help me shop less because when I find myself buying the next item (which I always do), I’ll check it against the notes and remember, ‘oh that material didn’t work out so well for me’, and take the item out of my cart. This also helps a lot with cleaning because the less you have, the less things you need to clean and that’s an extra plus since I’m always quite the lazy one.

Well, I’m already feeling pretty swell with my desk and closet done. It’s giving me energy to keep going in fact to other parts of my room! Taking all my books out to dust and sort them to donate or keep piles before putting them back on the shelf, I find a book I’ve forgotten I had and start leafing through it. Hours later I realize I’m deep into reading it. Well, that’s another joy of cleaning - finding treasures you’ve forgotten about. Well I hope this has helped you in some way. Sorry but I’m going back to my book now. Cheers and happy cleaning!