This guest post was written by Tina who blogs at MotherGeek. She’s been sharing her Family’s ramblings for over 12 years now, so there’s plenty to catch up on!
Today Tina is sharing some tips to help you motivate yourself to clean. Let’s face it, cleaning is not the most enjoyable task, especially when you have to fit it in between looking after your family and your work.
Whether it’s washing dishes, doing laundry, or dusting, it’s so easy to find excuses to avoid cleaning. The problem with putting off these cleaning jobs is that things can easily start to pile up, which can take a huge toll on your mental and physical well-being.
Living in a clean, organised environment can help lift your spirits and make you feel happier, so how can we motivate ourselves to clean? Here are some quick and easy cleaning tips to follow that will make cleaning your home easier and less stressful.
One of the biggest issues surrounding cleaning your home is how easy it is to become overwhelmed and unmotivated – especially if you feel too tired to clean. Cleaning can be far too stressful if you try to tackle everything at once. So instead, start with a small task first, such as organising a drawer or cupboard.
Then, start to work in a larger area, sticking to cleaning only one room at a time. By completing small tasks, you can give yourself a sense of accomplishment which helps you to feel proud and motivated to tackle the bigger tasks.
Try Setting a Timer
If you want to stay motivated when cleaning, set a timer for 15-20 minutes and focus on doing nothing but cleaning during that time. Having a set time limit can help you stay focused and make the task feel less daunting.
You can even make it a game and see how much you can accomplish in that time frame, or set goals to complete a certain amount during the timed period.
Create a Cleaning Playlist
In my experience, creating a cleaning playlist is an absolutely essential part of the cleaning process. Music can be a really great motivator; that’s why we listen to it when we work out or need a mental pick-me-up.
Create a playlist of upbeat songs that you enjoy and listen to it while you clean. The music will help boost your mood and energy levels, making cleaning feel less like a chore. If you can’t be bothered making one, Tina at MotherGeek created this spotify cleaning playlist, which I love.
Reward Yourself
It sounds silly, but it works. Reward yourself for completing your cleaning tasks. It can be something small, like taking a break to enjoy a cup of tea or watching an episode of your favourite TV show. Just knowing that there is a reward waiting for you can help motivate you to get the job done.
Enlist Help
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a solo task. In fact, if you live in a household with other people, it definitely shouldn’t be a solo task! Motivate yourself to get cleaning by enlisting the help of family or friends to make it a group effort. Not only will you get the cleaning done faster, but it can also be a fun bonding experience.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you’d be surprised how many people are willing to lend a hand without a second thought.
Visualise the End Result
If you want to take your motivational pep talk to the next level, try visualisation. By visualising the end result, you will be able to imagine the types of feelings that will be associated with the space once you’re done. Will having a clean, tidy space make you feel happier, less stressed, or more productive?
Make it a Routine
It sounds pretty basic, but if you want to motivate yourself to clean, you need to create some form of routine that you can follow. Whether it’s a daily or weekly routine, setting aside specific time for your cleaning tasks will help you to turn it from a chore into a habit.
Once cleaning naturally becomes a habit that you don’t think about, you’ll find it much easier to stay on top of your chores.
Final Thoughts On How To Motivate Yourself To Clean
It can be a challenge to motivate yourself to clean, but it doesn’t have to be. Starting small, setting a timer, creating a cleaning playlist, rewarding yourself, enlisting help, visualising the end result, and making it a routine are all great ways to motivate yourself to clean.
Remember, a clean and organised living space can have a big impact on your mental and physical well-being, so it’s worth the effort. Happy cleaning!
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Clare
Hi, I'm Clare (Emmy's Mummy). A former Nanny and Mother of 2 - Emmy (born February 2010) and Harry (born October 2012). We are Essex based and share our adventures and misadventures of a busy crazy life.
