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We all have those things that make us feel like the best version of ourselves, right? For me, I feel like a better person when I have a fresh mani-pedi. Or when I’m well-rested. And especially when I’m wearing red shoes. Or pink shoes. Any cute shoes of the high-heeled variety, really.
I’ve recently added another thing to the list: having a perfectly clean house.
As the school year came to a close, I realized that my weekly cleaning binges weren’t cutting it. My drawers were messy, I couldn’t find my crafty stuff, getting dressed was a pain in the ass. While things were “clean-ish” they weren’t organized. And so, after adding, “Don’t set an alarm” and “DAY DRINKING!” to my summer to-do list, I added, “Clean every square inch of the apartment.”
And for three full days, I did just that. I scrubbed and purged and re-organized. Things I thought were clean are now cleaner, and closets I was scared to open are now clean and organized.
I feel so much better, it’s a little bit ridiculous.
Everything is easier now. I can get to my workouts quicker because my stuff is easily accessible and folded and right where it should be. I’ve been able to craft without digging through an avalanche of paper first. Even painting my nails is easier when everything I want is arranged on a little tray.
I realize that it sounds silly to equate cleanliness with being able to accomplish other goals, but it really has helped. Also not working. I have so much TIME to be good at life when I’m not working.
Still, I’d like to think that my spotless apartment has something to do with my improved workout routine, green smoothie drinking, crafting and perfect mani-pedi. Making things accessible is apparently the key to my productivity.
And I definitely feel better, which makes all the difference in the world.
What things make you feel like the best version of you?
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Wow, I am a jealous jealous girl. I have SUCH a hard time cleaning and organizing. THAT, my friend, is a little ridiculous. Or a lot. I wish I had your energy and OOMPH to get what I want done. I may need to channel that this week!
Anyway, it’s hard to put into words when I feel like the best version of myself. For me, I feel my best when I am channeling my inner spirit. When I am doing a morning tarot reading, getting something yummy for breakfast (normally a meal my wife Jen makes or a soy smoothie I make,) when I have a list of to-do’s that I actually work on, when I am doing everything “right” in my own eyes. It’s this peaceful, powerful attitude where I OWN my life and everything I’m doing or trying to do. I’m behind on that attitude right now!
As for FEELING my best… Pretty much every day and I have Jen to thank for that!
I don’t know if this is a girl thing, but I feel the EXACT same way. When I’m feeling unproductive or lazy, I just get up and start dusting and organizing those hidden places, and after a few hours I feel a million times better and happier. There’s just something about a clean and uncluttered atmosphere that makes me feel great and willing to tackle on all the other tasks I’ve been putting off!
I have so much TIME to be good at life when I’m not working. <= in a nutshell, YES!
No wonder why I always fell so much better in the summer. I have time to wash all my dishes as I use them, randomly clean the bathroom at 10 AND go to the gym every day.
I LOVE having a perfectly clean house! Unfortunately, that’s only happened one time since we’ve lived in our condo – and it was after months of nesting because I turned into a complete organization freak while I was pregnant, but still … for my house to stay perfectly clean for any longer than 5 minutes, we all have to leave
Me too! If I’m grumpy, feed me or let me organize. Or give me a manicure, that’s an instant pick me up, too!
I love having a clean house. It can always make me feel more calm and overall better.
My boyfriend just got home from deployment & WHY IS HE SO MESSY? I had perfected a comforting level of cleanliness in his two months gone, & now he’s back, cutting bagels on the counter & not wiping up the crumbs.
I have such a crush on the photo in this post. I’m very much a minimalist – when it comes to clutter and decor, I believe in less is more. So that’s why this weekend I took a look at the closets in my house and thought “who lives here, because certainly it isn’t me!” We went through all of our closets and got rid of so much stuff – clothes, shoes, handbags, artwork, furniture, old tvs, etc. My house feels lighter, if that’s possible.
“I have so much TIME to be good at life when I’m not working.”
Ahm, can I just wholeheartedly agree to that?
That photo makes me so happy! Our office needs to undergo a MAJOR organization overhaul. I know exactly what you mean about feeling so much better when everything is in its place.
Cleaning and organizing always helps to me to de-stress. It makes me feel accomplished especially because I can clearly see the result of my work. I love it!
oh man amy i am right there with you. i love cleaning and organizing and purging and just all of it. it makes me feel so much better and so much more at peace with where i am. i did a lot of cleaning this weekend and was just nice to do it. i’m so glad i am not the only one that’s a bit of a clean nut, haha.
I feel like this year has been one big purge of stuff and clutter. Granted, I’ve accumulated more since moving, but I got rid of A LOT when I moved to Colorado and A LOT MORE when I moved to Oregon. The idea is that the next time we move, it’s going to be with less stuff than we came with. and you’re right! I feel like I can accomplish SO much more when I have a clean house. Or clean kitchen. Or clean desk. Ah, I won’t even work at my desk if it’s messy. Which is why I’ve been working on the couch for the last week…
Love this post!!!!! I just wrote about how my (dis)organization in my home is bringing me down! I’m on the road to getting things in order–and I already feel better!!! I totally get where you’re coming from
I feel my best when I have freshly waxed eyebrows, a nice mani/pedi, and my hair is perfectly straight
This rarely happens—but I still feel pretty dang good most of my days 
A clean house is key to my sanity. I know this, and yet it’s always the first thing that goes when I’m busy. Now that things have calmed down, the husband and I are making a commitment to keep it clean, to come home each day and do mini-cleans and put things where they belong.
I’m the same way. Mr. Darcy has had to learn to be a little neater since me in a messy house = Crazy Sizzle. And we all want to avoid Crazy Sizzle. TRUST ME.
We are sisters from another mister. Seriously this is like my next “grown up” thing. A PERFECTLY clean house.
“Oh you want to borrow my light blue cardigan? Let me pull it from the second bottom drawer where it is folded neatly underneath my navy cardigan. Why look at that it smells like Lavender, too!” – future conversation to be had