Lovely Flower - simple and beautiful
“OMG – the house hurts me it’s so messy!”
“Why can’t I keep this house clean?”
“When will we be able to afford a housekeeper?”
“There are toys everywhere!”
“ARGHHHHHH!!!!”
Sound familiar? Does this happen in your head everyday – or perhaps out loud?
I know – me too.
You know, we women (probably men too in a way) have seriously unrealistic expectations of what we should accomplish in a given day or week. I was a full-time stay-at-home mom for two years or so, and I used to have this list of things I wanted to make sure I accomplished at least once a week. It looked something like this:
1. Laundry
2. Clean Bathrooms
3. Vacuum
4. Dust
5. Put away toys – daily
6. Cook dinner – daily
7. Wash sheets and towels
8. Sweep and mop kitchen
9. Clean bedrooms
10. Write in baby book
11. Pay Bills
12. Play with kids
13. Find new educational activities to do with kids
14. Make cookies
15. Hang out with neighbors
16. Wash Windows (yes I know – I was freak)
17. Groceries
18. Paint Toenails
19. Breathe
It was just a giant pain-inducing to-do list from hell. Some weeks I got all of it done and ended up feeling bad because I was so tired all weekend. We just have to stop the madness with this. The way our house is kept is simply not an indication of how happy and together we are as people!!
Have you ever seen those Electrolux commercials with Kelly Ripa? They usually go something like this – work your butt off – buy Electrolux and accomplish even more. Their slogan is “Be even more amazing.” ARGHHHH!!!! STOP THAT!!!
So – I’m writing a series of articles on how to take back cleaning! My goal is to teach you a few Feng Shui tricks that add intention and sparkles to the cleaning process. The clean, energized room is the gift you give yourself because you are worth it – not because cleaning it is on your list! Now – I realize we live in a culture that preaches accomplishment as the path to worthiness. Problem is, we all just end up stressed out, drinking and watching television late at night looking for a commercial for something / anything to make us happy. It is no way to live. I reject the accomplishment = worthiness = happiness formula!
There is a better way – and you can still have that wonderful clean house feeling.
We are going to start with the family room.
Before you begin, take a moment and think about what you want this room to be for you and your family. Some ideas are:
A warm, welcoming place where everyone feels happy and safe
A joyous room full of love
A zen retreat for the adults
A place of comfort for the whole family
A happy room
Any of these are terrific – or make up your own – the more personalized the better.
Take one minute (or more) to stand in the middle of the room with your eyes closed. Imagine this room clean and energized with the words and feelings you just picked. Say it out loud. Open your eyes. Begin to pick up clutter, wipe surfaces, and then sweep or vacuum. If you are feeling really spiritual – clean the windows too. As you clean them – say to yourself – I am clearing away crap so that universal love has a clear path into my home. (Or something better that sounds more like something you would say.)
Once you are finished and the room is clean, go back to the center of the room. Stretch your arms up and out to the side, throw your shoulders back and spin around a few times (not too fast) repeating your desires for this room. Imagine energy flowing out of your arms and into every corner of the room. See how it feels.
You may be finished. If so – Hooray!
If it doesn’t feel quite right though, ask yourself, if this room truly felt happy (or calm or full of love) – what would be different? You may want to write down any thoughts that come to you. Maybe a color for the walls – maybe a different picture on the fireplace – maybe it is just some fresh flowers. There is no wrong answer – it is your individual taste after all.
Sometimes for me, the answer is just moving a chair or a plant. Act on your inspiration – it’s fun!
Now you have a clean room that is full of love. How much better does it feel than a clean room full of stress? How much better do you feel?
Take that Electrolux!
Next week – The Kitchen
