Personal Experience

When I was a teenager, I was a fucking mess. I had this tiny path carved out in my room, one from the door to my bed, another from my bed to the closet, and one to the stereo. I’d get yelled at to clean up, but I did not give 2 fucks. Sometimes, I’d come home from school, and everything would be magically clean and tidy. Ha! Perfect! If it bugged someone else, they’d deal with it.

Honestly, my life back then, like lots of teens, was far from being all sunshine and rainbows. And my bedroom? A perfect reflection of that chaos. By the time I moved out, nothing had really changed. My first apartment, my second, my third, same story. My mental health wasn’t great, I didn’t care about the mess, I “knew” it made finding my stuff easier, and I flat-out hated cleaning. Why bother? Every excuse was a good one.

I do remember the moment I realized I’d developed a habit of keeping my space clean and tidy. It was when I was in college, living with two guys, Sam and François. Sam was much neater than the two of us. Before that, I’d lived with my boyfriend until we broke up, and I needed roommates to help cover the rent while I was in school. So, I posted an ad online and found Sam and François.

I wanted to avoid the classic roommate fights, who buys the toilet paper, who didn’t do the dishes, that kind of bullshit. So, I included toilet paper, cleaning products, and dish soap in the rent. No excuses, everything you’d need to clean was provided.

Sam suggested we each take turns cleaning one of the shared spaces once a week. I thought it was a great idea, something I hadn’t thought of. We settled on Sundays, though if someone was busy, they could do it another day.

It didn’t take long before François started slacking. He “never had the time” and even complained that being forced to clean a room he “didn’t use” felt like living in a fascist regime.

So, we decided he’d clean the bathroom every week since, well, he definitely used that every day, mouhahaha! But week after week, it got harder. He got lazier, messier, and more avoidant. He’d conveniently disappear at night and, of course, every Sunday.

I eventually had a talk with him and he of course didn’t have any valid excuse, just claimed he was never home. Meanwhile, his room was a landfill. I was relieved he stayed out most of the time because being around someone else’s mess was infuriating. I already didn’t like tidying up my own stuff; dealing with someone else’s disaster was fucking unbearable.

After about three and a half months, François moved out. Par-ty!

When it came time to find a new roommate, cleanliness was the top priority. That whole experience taught me just how much I need my environment to be clean and organized, especially when I’m living with others.

But I also realized I didn’t want to spend my Sundays cleaning or tidying up, so I started doing a little bit every morning before heading to school. Cleaning up as I went became second nature. Over time, I noticed it made a difference, I’d get to class feeling more awake and focused, ready to tackle the day.

 

How to Keep It Up

• Schedule It: Use your planner to dedicate a specific time each day for your 10-minute tidy-up. Whether it's in the morning to start your day or in the evening to wind down, consistency is key.
• Start Small: If the idea of tidying for 10 minutes feels overwhelming, start with just one corner or one surface. Once you see the difference, it’ll motivate you to keep going.
• Tie It to an Existing Habit: Pair your tidy-up time with something you already do daily, like while the kettle is boiling or the bread is in the toaster.
• Use a Timer: Set a timer for 10 minutes. Knowing there’s a defined end point makes it easier to dive in without feeling like you’re committing your whole evening.
• Prioritize: Focus on areas that impact your mood the most, like your bed, desk, or kitchen counter. These are high-traffic zones where tidiness matters most.
• Gamify It: Challenge yourself to see how much you can tidy in 10 minutes. Turn it into a game and aim to beat your personal record.
• Keep It Accessible: Store cleaning supplies in easy-to-reach places. If grabbing a cloth or bin takes too much effort, you’re less likely to start.
• Visualize the Payoff: Think about how much smoother your morning or evening will be when everything is in its place.
• Involve Others: If you share your space, get everyone on board. It’s not just your responsibility. A collective effort keeps the space enjoyable for everyone.
• Celebrate Small Wins: After your tidy-up, take a second to enjoy the results, a clean desk, a clutter-free counter, or a made bed. This positive reinforcement will keep you going.

 

Abrasive Truth

Living in a dump is a choice, a choice that invites stress, distraction, and chaos into your life. If you can't commit just 10 minutes a day to improve your environment, maybe you're content with mediocrity. But if you want better mood, sleep, and focus, it's time to take responsibility. Stop making excuses and start tidying up. It's 10, minutes. It'll take you more time to make escuses than the actual tidy up.

 

The Facts

• Improved Mood and Concentration: A tidy environment can significantly reduce stress and foster a positive mindset by creating a sense of order and calm. Research suggests that a messy, cluttered space can increase stress levels and interfere with concentration, making it harder to focus on tasks. By contrast, completing small tasks like tidying up not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also sets a positive tone for the day, boosting mood and promoting a feeling of control over your surroundings. This simple habit can be a powerful tool for enhancing mental clarity and emotional well-being.(LINK)
• Enhanced Sleep Quality: Maintaining a clean and organized space contributes to better sleep. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University notes that sleep deprivation can negatively affect mood, and improving sleep quality can enhance mood. (LINK)

 

Podcast

Cleaning up your mental mess with Dr. Caroline Leaf