It's getting to be that time of year again.......(wait for it).......SPRING CLEANING! Spring Cleaning is something near and dear to my heart that I have come to love and loath. Nothing perks up my mood more than a sparkling clean and organized house, but the road to get there can be bumpy and winding. And since folks are always complementing me on my organized dwelling, here are some certified Michigan Gypsy Tips to de-stress your daily adventures~
#1: If you can do it in under 60 seconds, it needs to be done immediately!
This is a way of life you should adopt and something you should hammer into your spouse and kids, it will change your life. If you look at small tasks as either "can be done in under 60 sec." or "needs more time" and act accordingly, you house will be much neater and your brain less frantic. It takes some getting used to but pays off big time, especially if you can look at is as a game that you are winning, a way you are helping yourself etc. The way it works is this, any task, no matter what it is, if you can do it in under 60 sec. you do it immediately, right then and there, no excuses. Throwing out the junk mail after checking the mail: takes less than 60 sec. Taking dishes back to the kitchen: takes less than 60 sec. straitening shoes at front door: takes less than 60 sec. Jotting down a reminder on a sticky note: takes less than 60 sec. When you see something that hits you with a "Crap! I need to take care of that/clean that up/put that away" you would be amazed what really only takes a few seconds out of our lives but pays off big time for our sanity. No excuses~ unless you are an on-call surgeon, you can do this!
#2: Teach them~ They Will Surprise You!
It always shocks me how much parents under-estimate their children. If you want your home to produce mature, responsible adults, then you need to be growing mature, responsible kids, end of story! Baby them with your love, not by waiting on them hand and foot. If you turn yourself into a maid for your family, they will treat you like one. Now don't get me wrong, I shoulder the brunt of the housekeeping and cleaning in our diggs (and I have 2 jobs) and I do so happily, after all, I chose to get married and to have these children, their messes come with the territory. However, after your kids get out of the toddler stage it is time to have them step up their acts around the house. And no, I don't just mean keeping their rooms clean, that's a given, but other things as well. If you take the time to teach them, they will surprise you with their ability to handle it. Perfect example, as soon as my son was able to safely reach the knobs on the washer and dryer ( he was around 9 or 10), he started helping with the laundry. He does not use the bleach for obvious reasons, but I put star stickers on the "regular" settings on both machines, showed him how to use the detergent and fabric softener, cautioned about using too much soap, and away he went. No muss, no fuss! We approached it as something that all the mature, responsible members of the family learn and help out with, and trust me, having another set of hands to turn over the laundry is amazing!
#3: Throw it Away Already!!!!!!
Yes I am looking at you compulsive plastic bag hoarder! That's right, advert your eyes Mr. Drawer Full of Holy Socks. This year should be the year that you finally give yourself permission to let go of some stuff you are holding onto "just in case." It might irk you when it first leaves your life, but do what I do: visualize a clean, fresh, neatly organized home, with yourself standing in it, and know that it will never happen if you have more scrapbook paper than Michael's stored away even though you haven't crafted since your 13 year old was in diapers....It's reality check time! Trust me, nothing feels more liberating that getting rid of an entire drawer (that's right, they all go) of crappy, yucky socks and replacing it with all nice new ones.
#4: Consignment Shop, Consignment Shop, Consignment Shop:
I have always given all of our old stuff to Goodwill in the past, and still do donate certain things to charity. But when I got laid off at my last job, we had to face some lifestyle changes. One of those changes what no more new clothes. My solution? I started taking the kids and adult clothes that we grow out of/no longer wear to a local consignment shop. You will get the biggest bang for your buck from the ones that specialize in kids/women's clothes. Check the Internet and phone book for ones in your town and stop by to check it out before taking your stuff there, you want to make sure it is a good "fit." The one I use is nice and clean and half is kids and half is women's with a small men's section. I take our NICE (no crap!) gently used clothes whenever I have a full bin (I have a plastic bin in the basement where I throw stuff destined for the consignment shop). They put them up for sale and after an item sells, I get about 1/2 the money put on my account. I can either have them write me a check or I can use that money to shop the store. I always shop the store, (and I have run into folks from the most expensive neighborhoods in town browsing there) since my kids always, always, need something, either jeans or a holiday dress, or even a sweater for me. And let me tell you, when I walk out of that store with a bag full of clothes for FREE (Hollister hoodies for my husband!), it more than makes up for shopping at the mall. Less clutter in my home and free clothes that my family actually wants? That's called a score where I come from.
#5: Own Less:
This is the hardest one, which is why I saved it for last. The reason that my house is open and airy and nice and neat is basically because I hate clutter. It mentally and emotionally effects me to the point that I have challenged clutter to a duel at dawn with pistols in the park by the river bend. You will not see piles of random paper in my house. You will not see every surface covered with random chotchkies gathering dust. No resin moose or misc. paperweights. I have grouping of things I love and collect, but they are carefully edited to only feature that which I love, love, love, with an over-all eye to maintaining open space and airiness. My home is still warm and cozy without being cluttered. Be brave, put some collectibles in your bookcase to feature the very best and get rid of the rest. Sell them on craigslist, give them to charity, pawn them off on your sisters, whatever it takes. When I find something I have to have at an antique store or flea market, either I have a specific spot in mind or something else in the house has to go to make room. Your happiness needs room to grow in your home, use a harsh and critical eye to make sure it gets the legroom it needs.......
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