Now that the first week of the new year has come and gone, the holidays rush is beyond us and all that Christmas decor is (hopefully) put away, it's time to focus on your goals for 2022. And cleaning and tidying the house is usually on top of everyone's list this time of the year.
So here are a few tips to keep you on track.
1. Declutter
This is the most obvious one, of course. There's no way you can keep a house clean and tidy if it's overflowing with clutter. Unfortunately, it's also something most of us struggle with daily (I know I do), so it's always good to have a reminder.
Haven't used it in a year? Didn't even remember you had it? Toss it. Or, even better, donate it and make someone else happy.
My grandparents kept saving stuff for rainy days. And then they passed away and had a home full of things they could have used but never did get out of closets and drawers. Don't make the same mistake. I'm all for saving for rainy days, but the things that you own and make you happy should be used and worn while you are here to enjoy them.
Find below a couple of posts I've published before about decluttering:
2. Don't let housework accumulate
I know it's not easy. Not when you work full time, when you have children and a busy life. But save at least a few minutes everyday for some housework. If you let too much of it pile up, you will be stressed or you will feel compelled to do it all during the weekends instead of enjoying time with your family or just our and about.
There's a Portuguese saying that goes something like "don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today". And it's not only absolutely true, but will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
3. Organise
The first thing you need to do is to make sure everything at home has a place - and that it's put there after being used. I know this is not easy, especially when you have small children, but it's the best way to avoid having bedrooms and living rooms littered with stuff.
As a bonus, you will actually be able to find things when you need them, instead of aimlessly searching around the house for the book you remember reading last month or the new sweater you got for Christmas but ended up never reaching you closet.
This is especially important now, when many of us are working from home and it's even harder to separate your personal from your professional life.
4. Create lists and set priorities
That guest room that is rarely used? You don't need to clean it every week. The basement or the garage? As long as they are not overflowing with clutter and not a fire hazard, let them be for a while. Focus on what is absolutely necessary to keep the spaces your family uses on a daily basis clean, decluttered and organised. And then set up a list with everything else and try to schedule some days to tackle those things one at a time.
And while you're at it, schedule some downtime for yourself too, because that's just as important as everything else.
5. Ask for help
Sometimes it's just not possible to fit everything in our schedules, no matter how hard we try. There's not shame it that. So ask for help. Everyone at home should be onboard and contribute towards the goal of a tidy and organised house - even children. Actually, most especially children, as you will be teaching then a valuable lesson for the future.
And if everything else fails, consider getting outside help and check if there are cleaning services close to you that can fit your budget either on regular basis or just once in a while when you are feeling overwhelmed.
I hope you find these tips useful and let me know in the comments what other strategies work for you when it comes to organising your home.
Have a wonderful weekend and a great 2022!
Free images from Canva.
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