Keeping Your Space Clean

This is a follow-up post to what I shared a couple weeks ago, Cleaning Your Space.

So, your space, whatever that is, has been cleaned. Yet the habits that made it a mess in the first place still exist. What can you do to keep the same cycle from repeating? Well, here are some tips:

• Commit to It – As with anything, keeping your space clean requires commitment. You have to decide that you want to keep it clean and that you will keep it clean. It requires mental energy and discipline, but it’s worth it.
• Adjust Your Organization Systems – Sometimes we get things perfectly organized and nice-looking, only then to have them not work. Maybe we can’t get at them easily or there’s not enough space for adding more. I have the feeling the latter will happen soon with my media shelf. When you find that your system isn’t working, it’s better to change it than to let it deteriorate around you. So, in my case, I may have to redo the way my shelves are organized. Instead of letting stuff pile-up, I’ll do the work and fix it.
• Utilize the Two-Minute Rule – There are a few different interpretations of this, but the way I read it recently says this: if a task takes two minutes or less and you have two minutes, do the task right then. Sounds obvious, right? But think about it. If you folded the laundry as soon as you set it on your bed, it would be done. If you sorted and opened your mail when you brought it in, you wouldn’t have to deal with it later. Put your dishes in the dishwasher right away. Put a new bag in the trash can as soon as you empty it. Pick up your towel after you’re done. Imagine how much you could get done if you just took the time.

Courtesy of Pixabay

• Make Your Bed – This applies specifically to bedrooms, of course, but it’s very important. It takes all of a minute to make the bed in the morning. And the effect a made bed has on your attitude is incredible. With a messy bed, it’s far easier to let the rest of your room deteriorate. When the covers are pulled up and nice-looking, you feel a bit guilty for making a mess. Guilt can be helpful.
• Put New Things Away Immediately – Maybe you don’t have this problem, but I do. I am very guilty of buying stuff and then dumping it on the floor. I do eventually take whatever it is – whether that be books or clothes – out and use it, but that is not usually right away. Consequently, the mess just gets worse. However, when I put things in their new homes as soon as I get them, things stay clean. When you buy something, don’t dump it on the floor; find it a home.
• Stay Positive – Don’t think of keeping your space clean as a drudgery. It’s a benefit. And don’t be too hard on yourself when you get a little behind. Just pick up and keep going. Life is full of ups and downs, and keeping a clean space is no different. Keep your chin up.

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So, there you go! My tips on keeping your space clean. What about you? Do you use any of these techniques? Have any other ideas to help keep things clean? Let me know in the comments!