Have you ever wondered why so many of the old wives’ tales and sayings contain more than simply a grain of truth? Well, often it’s all about common sense, but there’s nothing at all common about sense. It took a lot of life experience for these little gems of wisdom to be seemingly conjured up out of thin air.
A stitch in time saves nine – sounds bizarre, doesn’t it? But years ago when you couldn’t simply pop to the shop and buy a new jumper (due to cost and/or availability), someone had to sit down with needles and wool to knit it. And what happened if it developed a hole? Well, you stitched it, because if you didn’t the hole would get bigger and before you knew it, it wouldn’t be wearable.
Like it, or not, life experience teaches us lessons that we need to learn. But that means being aware and taking note. Or going around in circles constantly making the same mistakes.
Which leads me to the question ‘Is it time to get your ducks in a row?‘
Spring and summer is a time of renewal and Mother Nature knows her stuff! She does it every single year. Time to let the old leaves etc break down and go back into the earth and replace it with fresh, new shoots. And then comes the explosion of colour and vibrancy, which along with some sunshine is like a shot of adrenaline. Mother nature does an annual de-clutter and so should we!
Doing an annual clean to spruce up the house is both cathartic and re-energising. But more than that it also raises the spirits. Your surroundings matter. If you live in a disorganised, dusty/dirty environment your surroundings can begin to feel oppressive. If you live in an orderly, clean environment… you get the message. Home should be a relaxing place, your haven from the world.
Working from home, with tight deadlines, I can honestly say that I work best when I feel that all aspects of my life are reasonably under control. My first priority is family/friends, then work, but in order to keep everything ticking over I’ve had to share the ‘home’ workload (which was tough for me). Together, my partner and I whip things into shape in the least time possible by keeping on top of everything.
Top tips for that once-a-year kick-start to achieve the feelgood factor:
Start at the top of the house and work down.
Buy a long-handled duster mop and work from the top of the walls down to the floor.
Clean the light fittings.
I use Flash lemon cleaner to wet wipe every surface, furniture, skirting boards and doors. Don’t forget the light switches.
Vacuum every inch of the floor/wet wash if a solid floor.
Vacuum the mattresses. Check your duvets, pillows and pillow shams – do they need washing, or replacing?
Go through your wardrobe and recycle anything you no longer use. Wipe out the inside of cupboards to freshen them up.
Get the kids involved – time to clear out the old toys they have outgrown. Kids learn by example and it’s a great way to let them see that houses don’t tidy, or clean, themselves!
Curtains and rugs – take them outside and give them a good shake. Dust curtain poles etc. Pull out all of the furniture for that once-a-year deep clean.
In the kitchen – blitz the fridge, freezer and cooker. Make it sparkle and then keep on top of it by wiping things over at least once a month. Then move on to the bathrooms – discard any products you no longer use as you clean out cupboards etc.
Then stand back – savour that fresh, clean smell and remind yourself that the way to stop something being a big CHORE is to keep on top of it. Why not plan to have a once-a-month targeted clean? Cleaning an oven or fridge after only a month’s use is infinitely easier than cleaning it every six months etc.
The annual clean can also involve touching up damaged woodwork, or giving a room a quick lick of paint to freshen it up. I’ll have more tips on how to save time and money when it comes to house maintenance in a later post. But if time is a precious commodity in your life, being organised can save you A LOT OF TIME – believe me, that was one of my biggest life lessons!
Of course, it’s not just old wives’ tales that endorse the benefits of the BIG clean. Have you heard of Feng Shui? It endorses some of nature’s most basic principles. This is a lady I’ve followed for a while:
The amazing Kathryn Weber
https://redlotusletter.com/
I’m constantly searching for ways to enhance and make my life better. It’s all about generating that feelgood factor. I’ve been more than happy to adopt some of the Feng Shui principles that have resonated with me. I was delighted to discover that there were quite a few I’d been embracing quite naturally for many years. Why not click and have a read – you might find something of benefit to you.
OK – we’re done with cleaning, how about raising a smile? I like to have things around me that instantly raise a smile. From the kitsch, to the statement piece – and often it’s not expensive, just fun. Here is a modern version of a cuckoo clock (from Dunelm) hung on a stencilled tree in the kitchen. It make the corners of my mouth go up every time I walk past it and the kids absolutely LOVE it!
My best, fun purchase this month was £8 from Primark. I’m a cat lover – what can I say? If you love the Pusheen emoji’s what’s more fun than jumping into bed wearing this?
Managing one’s time – life/work/family – is the key to feeling less stressed and happier. Decluttering, getting organised and making the mundane easier = a good investment.
Pop back next month to see what bargains I’ve managed to stumble across and more tips on how to organise your life/home/family whilst staying reasonably sane…
Remember: some things in life are down to the choices we make, so make them good ones!
Please note – all opinions are my own. Any products/links I share are because I have purchased, or used the product, and I have no affiliation with the product/person/organisation. As they say – sharing is caring and if you find something you like then job done! Until next time…
Future posts include:
The fight to keep fit; ergonomics when you spend hours at your PC; keeping calm when the pressure is on; life hacks and much more!
