HuronPerthBoomers_Spring2022

y Helen Dowd & Patti Henhoeffer
HOME
There is nothing like the energy that comes from
longer daylight hours combined with the smell
of spring air to unite the mind, body and soul to the
notion that it is time for some spring cleaning and
organizing!
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians
have spent a lot more time at home, so cleaning and
organizing our spaces has become more of a priority.
This article has been written to give you the “dirt”
on what it takes to clean and organize your space.
Step 1: Inspect. Pretend you are a first-time visitor
and walk around your living space with a discerning
eye. Grab a pen and a notebook or use your cell
phone as you go “on tour.” Record what you want to
accomplish by listing the jobs you need to tackle or
take photos of the problem areas. You can organize
this list by each room and then prioritize your plan
from there.
Step 2: Phone a friend. Most jobs are more fun
if you work in pairs, so if you are alone, recruit the
help of a friend, child/grandchild or a cleaning/
organizing service to work alongside you. You will
appreciate their input and non-biased opinions as it
is always difficult to make decisions when you are
emotionally invested. A trusted friend or companion
will ensure you have the honest feedback you need
to decide on what to keep, toss, or donate. You can
always reciprocate by helping your friend with their
spring cleaning or offering your grandchildren some
money for their education fund. Remind them to
wear old clothing and closed-toe footwear so they
are prepared.
Step 3: Find a time. Once you have found a
buddy, book an appointment in your calendars and
let them know what to expect. For example, “On
Monday when you arrive, we are going to organize
the garage and clean the bathroom.” This will get
them mentally prepared for the activity. If your
energy level maxes out after two hours or a half a
day, then book that amount of time so you don’t
exhaust yourself. Depending on the size of your
space and the volume of your possessions, you can
always spread the task out over a couple of days or
even weeks. Use the list you created in Step 1 as your
guide and remember to cross off what you accomplish
when the task is complete. Research shows this gives
your brain a shot of dopamine (a neurotransmitter
that is responsible for generating feelings of
accomplishment, satisfaction and happiness). The
dopamine makes you feel good and also motivates
you to continue completing tasks (facilethings.com).
Before and after photos are also great for tracking
your progress and providing motivation.
Step 4: Take inventory. Before your scheduled
appointment, take an inventory of what products you
have and what you will need to tackle your various
projects. It is always prudent to wait and see how
much you will be keeping before you run out and
purchase bins and totes, as unused organizational
items can lead to additional clutter. When it comes
to cleaning, take an inventory of the products you
have on hand so you know what you need to source.
There is an incredible selection of cleaning products
and systems on the market these days so do some
research.
SPRING 2022 • 5