May 12, 2020
Feeling Overwhelmed? Clear ONE Surface!
If you’re feeling the weight of quarantine and having a difficult time concentrating or having a hard time with self-discipline, you aren’t alone and that is NORMAL. There is so much going on right now and the enormity of the situation can weigh on us, making us feel stuck.
Couple that with kids being at home unexpectedly, staying inside more than usual, different work schedules, new schedules and routines…. it’s a lot. After two months in quarantine, I am finding that I need to do a RESET and I’d love for you to join me!
I follow 9 steps that always get me out of a funk and back on track. I turned my simple reset into a course – Jumpstart Your Routine – if you need a little guidance, check it out.
Here’s something I know – CLUTTER = STRESS
My mission? I want to help you get past that clutter, past that stress, to the place where you can enjoy life, your kids, have time for what matters to you and not stress over clutter. I want you to know that cleaning doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Maybe you are ….
- just wanting to take the house back
- struggling with a different schedule
- facing a health crisis
- feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where or how to start
- need some support to help you with self-discipline
Through the Jumpstart Your Routine Course we follow 9 simple steps to RESET our lives and homes – one of my favorite modules is Module #6 – Clear the Surfaces. Clutter equals stress and clearing surfaces will help you eliminate the stress that clutter brings.
Today, if you feel stressed out, unmotivated, unsure of where to start, clear ONE surface. Just one. It can be your kitchen counter, a kitchen table, your bathroom counter, the mantle, your desk….any surface.
Here’s how to clear one surface:
- Identify your surface. It might be a kitchen counter, an end or side table, a coffee table, a mantel, the fridge …. Just choose one surface to start!
- Completely empty/clear it – leave NOTHING on the surface.
- Wipe the surface off with a barely damp cloth and/or your favorite cleaner.
- Step back and gaze at that clean and empty surface. Sometimes a clean and clear surface can give you a little calm in a room. Leave it empty for a bit if you can.
- When you’re ready, evaluate what you are going to put back. Do you need everything? Are you using it daily or weekly? Is there anything you can donate, sell, put somewhere else?
- Return the necessities to the space or leave it empty for a bit.
- Evaluate again – how does it look? Any additional edits?
You’ll be surprised with how clearing just one surface makes you feel. Clearing one surface CAN help with that overwhelmed feeling. Leave a note in the comments to tell us what surface you’re clearing today!
Ready for more? I’d love to help you get started with a routine that works – come join me and Jumpstart Your Routine TODAY!
Mindi Lane Says
I love you Clean Mama! Becky, to say that you have literally changed my life would be way understated! Thank you for everything you do!! You have saved my sanity and my marriage. The peace that we have now because of your amazing insight and help is beyond words. THANK YOU!!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorAw, thank you Mindi!
Sherrie Says
I am so over whelmed. I must be ADHD, I look at my house with all the clutter, and I want to get started but I just sit down and watch TV instead. I purchased two of your books, I have purchased your towels (that replace paper towels) but I can’t find them. I can’t sit at my kitchen table because there is clutter on the table and around the table. I couldn’t have my daughter over for dinner on Mother’s day, no where to sit in the living room (couch and chairs filled with stuff) and table, well no where to eat. I eat standing up, I have no place to sit when I eat. I squeeze my husband a place near the TV on the counter but I stand. I need to really give your ideas some thought and just get moving. Thank you for all your great ideas. I just need to get moving, maybe then I won’t be so depressed over this. I don’t let anyone in my house (before the coronavirus) because I am embarrassed. I just meet people in the garage.
Melissa Says
What if your cluttered place is your floor!? HAHA. I can’t believe how cluttered my place gets with it just being me and 1-3 dogs at any time. I do live in a duplex so it’s a small area. I am ADD so I have to fight the urge to work on three areas at a time so I will keep your advice above in mind. My biggest issue is, when I clean out a space, I feel the extra stuff just gets moved somewhere else for the “time being.” Thanks for all of your advice!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThe floor can be a cluttered space, absolutely! This time, when you declutter an area, try to relocate 50% and donate or sell 50% 🙂
Barb Says
Your kitchen reminds me so much of mine!! The layout is almost identical and my backsplash is almost the same, just a little darker. I have cherry cupboards. I’m curious, what does the “working side” of your island look like? Mine is 8’ feet long, 2 surfaces like yours. I have 3 36” drawers in the middle with a 24”cupboard on either side of the drawers and the bookcase on the end.
Susan Says
For 16 years I’ve been trying to get my husband to pick up after himself. I guess he’s not going to pick up after himself. It gets really tiring to clean everything, make it look nice, and then have him trash it with dishes, wrappers, and socks. Sooooo frustrating!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThat must be frustrating 🙁 can you talk to him about how it makes you feel?
Marie Says
The comments from Sherrie could have been written by me. I’m glad I’m not alone. I’m going to clean the kitchen counter now.
Kayla Says
I finally got around to clearing a section of the kitchen counter, and I have to say that it feels AMAZING to have it scrubbed clean and reorganized! Thank you for giving me the motivation to begin tackling that project!
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