I’ve been cleaning houses full-time for over four years. And although I haven’t exactly kept an exact count, I’m pretty sure I’ve cleaned some people’s homes well over 100 times.

So, you’ll be pleased to hear that I enjoy my job. And it’s taught me a few things along the way, especially about being present and in the moment.

Don’t let the mess get to you

Okay, we all experience times like this. You know what I mean – when the laundry’s piled up on the stairs and the drying rack is still full of dishes, so you don’t bother washing up tonight. And so on. Before you know it, it snowballs way out of proportion, and even though your home looked pretty good last night, suddenly it’s a bomb site.

Just take a breath. That’s what I’ve learnt to do. Tackle one little thing at a time (or tell your kids they can only watch TV once someone finishes the dishes). Don’t dwell on the fact that your home is a bit of a mess; just think about doing the one thing in front of you. In this case, maybe that’s folding the laundry.

And, if you think you deserve a night off, go for it! The mess can wait until tomorrow – just as long as it doesn’t suddenly get put off indefinitely. You don’t have to be harsh on yourself. It is your house, after all.

Cleaning can be an enjoyable task

I think most people don’t enjoy cleaning because it’s seen as a ‘chore’ – something that gets in the way of what you’d rather be doing, whatever that is for you.

Now, while I completely understand that there are certainly more thrilling things you might want to do with your Saturday or with your evening, I’d say there’s plenty of space for a mindset change, too.

Instead of approaching cleaning like the most hated thing on earth, switch your perspective. Let yourself get excited about what you could get your space looking like, even if it’s just a quick dust and vacuum.

Cleaning actually lets you switch off

It’s funny. We live in what is statistically the safest and healthiest era of humanity – and yet, we seem to be by far the most stressed generation ever. It’s not too much of a leap to suggest that all this stress stems from the rapidly advancing technology all around us.

There are very few tasks in life that let you put that away. Even our cars today are filled with distractions – messages popping up, music to shuffle through. When I’m cleaning, though, I don’t let myself think about anything else. Just whatever’s in front of me and whatever tool or chemical I have in my hands at that moment.

It’s actually pretty peaceful if you can let yourself settle into it!

It’s easy to break cleaning down into sub-tasks

As I mentioned earlier, most of the tasks we have to complete today are busy and complex. Think of cooking a dinner – are you chopping the onion at the start? When do you cut the meat? When do you get the water boiling so the pasta will be ready at just the right moment? Sometimes it’s all kind of frantic.

But cleaning doesn’t really need that. It’s quite straightforward. For example, if I were to clean your living room, I would start by dusting everything, then vacuum the upholstery, and finally the floors. If you have a hard floor, the next step would be mopping; if you have a carpet, I always suggest a little carpet cleaning to get those allergens out.

That order always stays the same. And there’s something particularly relaxing about that – something that really helps you stay in the moment.

Get in touch with The Little Mop for a helping hand

With all that said, I do appreciate that everyone has a busy life, and it’s unavoidable. Between hockey, soccer, swimming, ballet, and your broken air conditioning unit, plus the in-laws asking to borrow your toaster and the municipality refusing to accept your garbage, things add up pretty quickly.

That’s why I started The Little Mop. To help.

I’m Shay, and I’ve been cleaning homes in and around Guelph, Ancaster, Dundas, and Flamborough for four years. My objective is to help you feel happy and healthy in your own home or office with simple yet effective cleaning services.

If you could use a helping hand and you live nearby, I’d love to hear from you! Use the Contact form to get in touch, and I look forward to hearing from you!