“Clutter is caused by a failure to return things to where they belong. Therefore, storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away, not the effort needed to get them out.”
― Marie Kondō, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
I can’t get enough of Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It’s an excellent read, and not just for cleaning. Ms. Kondo studied psychology, astrology, blood types, family history, all to form her KonMari method. Must type, it can work! She writes of habits only being able to change once our ways of thinking changes. Truth! We do have the power to change, help others with change, if they allow us in. And tidying is only a tool to the end result, which is having a home that reflects the way we want to live. Making change takes time and effort, and a game plan. Those visible messes distract from the true source of the disorder. Is there a way for us, as cleaners on a regular frequency, to help our clients in this manner? Yes, but we must be informed, and truly living, the clean that we want to bring into their lives. It’s nearly impossible to fake. This is also the main reason I am so picky about whom I hire. It’s important to feel that the cleaner gets the deal. Is WOKE, if you will. And cleaning should be considered a special event. It is! I mean, isn’t it really satisfying to be working and living in a clean and organized space? You bet it is. Inspiring, with space to breathe. Delving into a space for hours at a time is where the magic happens. Every Team Clean job is a cleaning party. Yeah! Andrew W.K. may agree. Party!
Tidying is a tool, just like a scrub brush. As cleaners, we have a set amount of time in a client’s space. And, hopefully, if time and budgets allow, we have sorted out the space to a manageable state with an initial larger cleaning. Upkeep and delving deeper into specific projects becomes the cleaning job plan. This is possible, but only through communication and clear goals.
Tidying is a form of meditation. Or can be, if you’re open to it. It’s an inner dialogue with oneself, even if it is someone else’s stuff! I feel so much joy from a freshly cleaned space, especially if I’m the one that organized and cleaned it. It’s all about not being distracted when you’re in a space, too. Are you lost in a podcast, or music? Did your mind wander, making you miss something very obvious? Be mindful of distractions. Our job is all about the mindfulness, so why would we want to risk losing it to something that can wait?
So, the gist of my message today is to stay present and live the joy you want to live and give. We have the power to bring sparkles of joy to our clients’ homes. It happens all the time. And you’re already doing it. So tap in, tune in and clean it out!
titsay