Let’s get down to business (to defeat, the dust)
This is a very unusual article for my blog, especially since I am an infrequent poster as it is. However, I felt that it is CRUCIAL to be made if someone else struggles and gets pre-anxious at the sight of dust, dirt and everything that involves cleaning up and runs every time to the sink to wash their hands. I won’t get into the reasons of why, or to whom this article is meant for, I just wrote this for myself as a guide to provide help when my mind goes into over-drive and decides to do EVERYTHING and then collapsing mid-way (which in turn causes its own anxiety).
First thing’s first — and this is imperative — do not DARE compare yourself to others that manage to throw out trash, do laundry, hoover the entire flat, change the sheets, in one sweep of an afternoon while listening to (and comprehending!) an intelligent podcast (that actually requires concentration). Yes, if I were critical to myself, I would chalk it up to poor time management skills — people usually don’t have time to spread out all of these tasks as I do, as they have better things to do with their time.
Alas (or not), not my case. However, I do believe that there are people that also struggle to do all chores in one go. So, this is a short guide (that will be updated as I go along, I think) on how to complete a routine clean-up while not over-extending yourself, and maintaining in one piece after, in order to be able to continue with other plans on your agenda.
Okay, here we go.
An obvious one to start with — make a list of everything you need to do. Writing things out not only organises your tasks, but also alleviates the tension, as you are providing an outlet for all of those running thoughts. I sometimes joke that the reason I have so much anxiety is because I did not grow up to an appropriate height, so my thoughts and feelings do not have enough ‘space’ to circulate and to spread out evenly, thus going into an overdrive anytime anything happens.
Rules before clean up:
- Have a good nutritious breakfast. I am so familiar with looking at something, it registering in my brain and I reactively throw myself in it. Soon I find myself sad and exhausted on the verge of tears. Why? I had a slice of bread for breakfast! Look. It seems extremely obvious, but yes, take time and make yourself some scrambled eggs, sausages, beans (if you’re into them), — source of protein, as well as carbs. Greek yoghurt with granola, two slices of toast with butter and jam can do the trick.
- Coffee. Definitely have a nice cup of coffee, matcha or tea (even if it goes cold) before, or whilst completing tasks. My rule is have half before and half waiting for you on a table to take a rewarding sip. Do a decaf if it induces anxiety. Make your comfort beverage! Non-alcoholic, of course.
- Same goes for a podcast or a lecture; something interesting that can take your mind of things while your body reassesses how it feels.
- Carbs or sugar! Have some waiting for you next to coffee — slice of cake, couple of biscuits, dried fruit (mango and dates work especially well), a bar of chocolate, a cup of yoghurt (with filling), and last but not least — the ol’ reliable — a banana.
- Take breaks! Feel yourself on the lower end of the energy scale? Check in with your body and see how you feel. Don’t ‘redo’ things in a hasty attempt to make it perfect. Let ‘reality’ unfold first — does the plate really need another re-wash? Do the items really need to be placed in one bookshelf or another? Complete each task, and if you see that it really needs ‘re-doing’ — leave it at the end of the entire routine or for another time. Don’t fixate on one thing. The environment will be fine it will take care of yourself — non need to micro-manage it.
- ALWAYS reward yourself. Have a treat (see above), watch an episode of a favourite show or podcast — you deserve it.
- My most productive hours are the morning ones. That’s when I feel the most energised and brave enough to take on the world. I also have all of my energy stored for these tasks. So, I have observed and noticed that THE most productive hours are until 12 PM, later on after lunch until 3 PM whereby I can do anything ‘brave’. This is the case for me that has to do with light hours. After 5 PM I try to give it ‘a last leap’ — i.e. finish off any tasks I can. After 7 PM — prepare your body and mind for rest. Stop anything you’re doing (like in an exam room, the invigilator says ‘time’s out, put your pens down’), even if it feels disastrous if the tasks are left over night (like raw meat in a trash bag during summer months). Just drop it, everything will be left as is — and get your ass on the floor, sofa, yoga mat and stretch and do a yoga session, go for a run, or just sit and breathe.
- Have something in the fridge to make in under five minutes — frozen pizza, leftovers — so you don’t have to spend energy on cooking. Prepare in it advance.
- Having said that, if you feel like you can on a different day — try to take out trash while on your way somewhere, don’t postpone too much to the evening (you will be tired!).
- Oh, and the more you wash your hands, the less energy you have for clean-up! Our hands store energy that can be used for any creative pursuit (yes, cleaning up included!) — whether, painting, baking, typing, playing an instrument, making braids, and even (yes!) cleaning up.
If all does go haywire in the end, just remember — a truism, not a cliché — you’re not alone. If two people can come up with how to work light a bulb at the same time, then surely there is more than one person that is swearing out loud, stomping on the floor or slamming a door in the throes of self-shame. You’re not alone. Just stop, sit your butt on the ground, breathe (I’ll add some techniques later on), or watch Schitt’s Creek or Brené Brown’s Call to Courage on Netflix (never fails).
Best of luck. More of such content come. Too much experience in this field (jk. lol. jk.).
Signing off!
Alma libera 