Like it or not, it’s something we all face.  Some actually enjoy it.  Many dread it.  Others even outsource it.  Regardless of how we handle it, we all have to deal with it to some degree.  We may try to ignore it for as long as we can, but the longer we put it off, the more difficult things can get.   When we keep up with it, our lives tend to run more smoothly.  The “it,” in this case, is housekeeping.

The activities of housekeeping can be categorized into three levels: routine, maintenance, and deep clean.  Routine tasks, such as taking out the trash, doing the laundry or washing the dishes are activities I consider to be “survival” level chores.  Problems (and odors) will definitely arise if these are not taken care of on a regular, if not daily, basis.

The next level, maintenance, involves activities such as dusting, vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom.  These maintenance activities are not as time-sensitive as routine tasks, but still need to be taken care of on a relatively regular basis.  Perhaps weekly, monthly, or, at the very least, just before the guests are scheduled to arrive.

The final level is the deep clean.  Activities at this level include more involved chores, such as sorting through and clearing out the piles of clothing and other belongings that have accumulated over a period of time, scrubbing the baseboards, cleaning the windows, or carrying out other related chores involving the removal of dust and dirt that has accumulated over the months (or even years) since these tasks were last performed.  Home improvement projects also fall into this category, including the rearranging of furniture, redecorating or renovating.  Deep clean projects can be tackled on a periodic basis as needed or required.

As important as it is to maintain our physical space, it is critical that we make the time to take care of our mental space as well.  Taking a page from my physical housekeeping habits, here are some personal thoughts on mental housekeeping.

Routine level mental tasks include the creation of daily to-do lists.  While this might seem like a waste of time and energy to some, maintaining a daily to-do list offers a great way to stay on top of the items that need to get done and helps minimize the chances of things falling through the cracks.  Most importantly, the act of adding items to the list frees the mind of unnecessary clutter.

Maintenance level mental housekeeping entails a periodic review of the schedule and calendar.  Are the activities and events currently on the calendar still relevant and worthwhile, or are they just cluttering the schedule?  Some may no longer be a good fit during this season in life.  The key is to determine which activities make sense to continue, which need to be cut, and what, if anything, is worthy enough to be added.  

The final level is the mental deep clean.  This involves making the effort to step back on occasion from the daily routine to take stock of things at a deeper level and asking some important questions.  Am I where I want to be at this point in my life?  Is where I am and what I am doing aligned with my goals and dreams?  What exactly are my goals and dreams?  Is there anything I can or should change about my life?  Depending on the answers, the path forward may involve a deeper dive to determine what might be needed in order to change your course.

While mental housekeeping cannot guarantee smooth sailing, it can make life a bit more manageable, worthwhile and enjoyable.

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