TIDYING TIPS

By: Anja Lavigne

Ask yourself, what is your relationship with your home? Are you respectful of your space? Are you respectful of yourself? As it is said, our homes are a reflection of how we view ourselves in life.

Steven Covey once said, “Begin with the End in Mind. ” This asks you to make a conscious effort to envision what you want in life.

We all have 24 hours in a day, and while we all have different lifestyles, creating and following through on ways to keep our home clean and organized will empower us to live more consciously.

1. Up and Out of Bed

When you wake up in the morning, consider opening your windows, even if only for 5 minutes, even in the winter. Instant fresh air improves the quality of health and benefits natural ventilation. Next, when back in your room for your morning routines, make your bed. Making your bed takes very little time; it can be under 5 minutes. This will give you the feeling that you have already accomplished something in the beginning of the day and since your bed is the largest furniture piece in the room, the bedroom instantly feels put together. Extra tip: Pick a day of the week and that morning strip the bedding and throw it in the wash. Choose that same day every week to help keep it as part of your weekly routine.

2. Tools of the Trade: Simple and Effective Cleaning

With any job, having the right tools in place is key. Knowing what you need and where they are housed is the first step to efficiency. When it comes to cleaning, investing in a vacuum that supports your busy schedule makes it easy. I am in love with cordless vacuums. It’ s always available for me to grab and vacuum rooms in under 5 minutes. Dust is a big factor of low vibrating energy as it sits on our baseboards, light fixtures, atop of wall art, etc. Start at the top of the room and work towards the bottom as the dust naturally falls. Microfibre cloths are amazing for grabbing dust sitting on tables, decor accents and any place that needs a wipe. Removing the dust first with a dry cloth makes it much easier to clean with a spray next. I love using essential oils that help eliminate bacteria and clean surfaces. Vinegar and baking soda are also amazing cleaning ingredients. Other valuable tools are the squeegee to eliminate mold in showers and are also great for cleaning windows, a scrub brush for tiles, tubs and tough stains, a toothbrush for the smaller areas and lastly, the bucket and mop, with a detachable mop head to throw in the wash. Keep the products you use frequently in an easily accessible place so that you can always do a quick clean when you notice it needs to be done. For example, keep cleaning spray and micro/paper towel under the bathroom sink for a quick wipe down of sink and toilet.

3. Maintaining Clutter:

Maintaining our clutter is one of the most effective self-improvement tactics available for us. Clutter is stuck energy and clearing allows your space to flow. With mail, sift through what you need, such as a bill, and place it in its designated area, and for the rest of the mail you don ’t need, it can go straight to recycling. Clutter plays a significant role on how we feel in our homes and within ourselves. The room becomes messy and we begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious and helpless. Alleviate this pressure and maintain it throughout the day. Begin by looking back at the room before you plan to leave and see what needs attention; shoes put away, pillows straightened, glasses in the dishwasher, recycling emptied, etc. Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, making us feel like the work is never done. Set a timer for 5 minutes to clear and clean a room. You will be amazed at how much you can do in 5 minutes and your room will thank you.

“The Heart of the Home” - Your Kitchen

This is where we are nourished and provided for. There are many busy zones in this room. An untidy and disorganized kitchen makes it challenging to do the tasks at hand. Do a clean sweep, start the dishwasher, clear off counters and clean the stove and floors at the end of the day. Once again, set a timer. For 10 minutes, clean your fridge before going to do groceries. This is the best opportunity to do this, as there is the least amount of food, which makes it easier to clean and see what foods need to be replenished.

5. Energy Cleansing

The ancient civilizations and native culture often used space clearing techniques. The methods and tools varied but the intent was the same - to create greater harmony in a living space. If there has been an argument, sadness or depression, the emotional energy is retained in your space. Everything contains energy. Just as we see dust accumulating as a result of daily activities, the same happens on an energetic level. Quick and easy suggestions are opening the window to get in some fresh air, burning incense, bringing in some crystals and diffusing essential oils in a diffuser.

Another practice to consider is using the Hawaiian forgiveness prayer called Ho'oponopono. There are four phrases to speak to the room:

1. I love you (name the room)

2. I am sorry (anything you are sorry about; maybe neglecting it)

3. Please forgive me

4. Thank You (This could be anything you are grateful for with the room)