I’m not a clean freak by any stretch of the imagination, but I love the smell of cleaning supplies and the deeply blissful feeling that comes from walking into a clean and organized house. Unfortunately, since I’m not super wealthy, the only way I get to experience the bliss of a clean house is by putting my nose to the grindstone and cleaning it myself.
Along the way, I’ve learned that playing good jazz or blues while cleaning helps make the experience a little more pleasurable. Washing dishes while smooth jazz washes over your soul is an experience that can’t be beat. I love the feeling of the soapy water on my hands as I scrub my dishes and listen to the beat. It isn’t quite as wondrous as the feeling that comes from a good massage, but it’s close.
Clearing physical clutter also helps me clear the clutter from my brain. I’ve found that as I sort through and discard the physical things that no longer belong in my world, I create a space that lets me get rid of the mental clutter that’s holding me back. A clean house gives me space to think and to breathe and to make good decisions.
Clean sheets is another one of those not-so-guilty pleasures that I love to indulge in. There is nothing quite like slipping between crisp, cool, sheets. It makes me sleep better and when I awaken in the morning, I love to stretch out and feel the crispness.
Creativity and clutter used to be inexplicably connected in my mind and I didn’t think it would be possible to be creative unless I was mired in clutter. I’ve since learned that clutter actually detracts from my creativity and makes me feel anxious and disconnected from my creativity. It is much easier to write when I’m sitting in front of my computer surrounded by calm. Then my creativity has space to come alive.
I will never be a white gloved maven of cleanliness, but I’ve learned over the years that there is a joy and pleasure in cleaning your space to create a haven for yourself and your thoughts.
Cairn by Cairn 