We all have our strengths. Some people excel in the arts, others with numbers.
Not everyone cares about how their home looks and feels. However, studies have shown “women who described their homes as "cluttered" or full of "unfinished projects" were more depressed, fatigued, and had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than women who felt their homes were "restful" and "restorative" according to a study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Last year we reviewed the book, Unf*ck your Habitat, You’re Better Than Your Mess.
Written by Rachel Hoffman, the book has easy and doable techniques for cleaning and organizing. It is an exceptional book for busy people with very little time to organize.
One major take away from the book is the 20/10 rule. Twenty minutes of cleaning followed by a 10 minute break. The break is not optional.
Now Ms. Hoffman has written Cleaning SUCKS and Unf*ck Your Habitat Guided Journal for Less Mess, Less Stress, and a Home You Don’t Hate. The journal is fast paced, easy to read, colorful and makes what could be challenging fun to complete. There are boxes to check, lines to write in and questions to answer directly in the journal. It is an interactive book/journal which is fun and holds the reader’s attention.
Letting go of perfectionism is something many people deal with. The author states that some people don’t like to clean as they feel they can’t finish the job perfectly or completely, so why even start? Ms. Hoffman suggests using a timer and in the journal there is an area to write down the results. By using the timer the author states “you will eventually train yourself to let go of perfect, and be content with good enough.”
So many times we inherit items and keepsakes from our grandparents, parents, and other relatives. We feel guilt by not wanting these items and donating or selling them. Things are boxed in attics, basements or storage units which we don’t want but our guilt prevents us from acting. Ms. Hoffman states “if you don’t love it you don’t have to keep it,” it’s okay to let things go.
Rewards are a big party of the journal. After 20 minutes or cleaning/organizing you allow yourself a 10 minute break. For example, eat a snack, read a chapter in a book, play a video/app game, listen to a podcast, take a quick walk or whatever makes you happy.
Cleaning is a cycle. It does not end. You learn to journal and see what works for you. Areas discussed are making your bed daily, keeping your sink free of dishes, clear surfaces and how to prepare and unf*ck your morning the next day.
There is an interesting section on sharing space. College roommates, apartment roommates husbands and wives can all benefit from this journaling. You learn to make charts, daily checklist, weekly checklists, all helping you live a clean organized life.
In the end, Ms. Hoffman says to be kind to yourself. Not everyone finds organizing easy.
Be happy with the small milestones. Use the journal to help you through the rough patches and be ready to go forward and unf*ck your habitat!
