CLEAN: The Power of Maintenance

It’s the end of the day.  The Littlest Apple is in bed, asleep at last.  I’ve got the dishes in the dishwasher, the counters and tables wiped down, the clutter cleared and the toys picked up and put away.  I’m finally able to check off the last of my Cleaning Calendar tasks for the day.  The house is at its best now, peaceful and tidy.

Until tomorrow morning.

Then the dishes will get dirty again.  Three more meals will be prepared and dishes will be used.  Beds will be slept in.  Toys will be played with all over the house.

Over and over again, day in day out.

But you know what I’ve learned?

It’s the daily acts of maintenance that truly matter.

Yes, the before and after images of room makeovers, decluttering projects, and organizing a closet have the big “wow” factor.  And yes, cleaning out your closet or working on a room makeover can be invigorating and energizing.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good room makeover, and sometimes that’s just what you need.  In fact, I’m in the middle of painting and sprucing up our entire downstairs!

But don’t forget that it is the patient acts of maintaining those spaces that truly make a difference in your home.

Doing the dishes and wiping down the counters?  Boring.  Mundane.  No jaw dropping before and after photos.

Yet these small daily cleaning tasks make the biggest difference overall.  These acts of maintenance require patience and perseverance.  The reality of maintenance is that you’re probably going to have to do it over and over and over again.

It is these repetitive tasks-unloading and loading the dishwasher, picking up the toys, straightening the pillows on the couch- more than anything else that create a peaceful (and CLEAN!) home.

Just a little something to think about as you’re wiping down the kitchen counters….again.