Hi Harmony Hustlers, in a world that often glorifies perfection by way of flawless interiors and picture-perfect living spaces, it is very difficult to let go of perfection in your home. But I’m here to tell you that it’s time to challenge the idea that a home must be flawless in order to be a source of genuine comfort and happiness.
Personally, I am more often than not consumed with thoughts of keeping my home looking clutter free and sparkling clean 24/7. If you were to ask me, whether I have said no to plans to at stay home and clean instead? The answer is 100% guilty.
Have I stayed up at ungodly hours to clean my house? Also guilty.
Have I spent my holidays deep cleaning, decluttering and organising without making time for socialising? Absolutely guilty!
Well, if like me, keeping your house clean is driving you insane, it’s time to work on embracing the imperfections of housekeeping.
The truth of the matter is that whilst a clean and tidy home is well received, perfection is ‘not’ the key to a fulfilling home life. Whilst you may know this already (just as I do) it is undeniably difficult to stop fighting the need for perfection.
But fret not- we are going to try.
Practical Tips for Letting Go of Perfection
Here are some practical tips for letting go of the constant pressures of having an immaculate living environment, and instead embracing the more joyful parts of life. Let’s move from perfectionism to peace!
- Encourage a shift in mindset towards a more relaxed approach
- Set Realistic Standards to help to let go of perfection
- Stop creating jobs
- Establish boundaries
1. Encourage a shift in mindset towards a more relaxed approach
As with all forms of development and change, it all starts with your mindset. Try to focus on encouraging a mindset that values the beauty of authenticity over perfection.
Whilst there are undoubedlty societal pressures and cultural pressures along with social media pressures, try not to focus on these pressures that have been placed on you to have a spotless house 24/7. This idea is simply not reflective of reality.
Admittedly social media has amplified expectations because we see so many idealised living spaces, which are furnished in neutral tones, filled with half of the amazon rainforest in terms of plants and dramatic wall art. These visualisations reinforce beliefs that this type of home is ‘perfect’ and that a perfect home is an essential part of life.
But, by now, we should all know that what we see on social media is not a true reflection of people’s lives, their relationships nor their homes.
Therefore really take the time to set aside the misconceptions that a flawless home is synonymous with personal success, happiness, social validation and for many within the South Asian culture- evidence of how you were raised.
Instead redefine the idea of what makes a ‘perfect’ home in order to prioritise your comfort, authenticity and your individual preferences over external expectations.
Everything in life comes at the expense of something else. To allow meaningful experiences, we have to cut the cord to obsessive cleaning habits. Remind yourself that imperfections add character to your home and turn it into your unique personal space for you and your family. Afterall, a lived-in environment, with visible signs of daily life, contributes to the charm and warmth of the home.
Would you rather spend each and every day scrubbing your floors, doing your laundry and organising your drawers, or would you rather invest your precious time on unforgettable experiences, spending quality time with loved ones and prioritising your overall health?
Disclaimer: I am not encouraging you to scrap all forms of cleaning, I am simply encouraging you to step back and balance your time so that you don’t spend all your time cleaning instead of living.
2. Set Realistic Standards to help to let go of perfection
Remind yourself that perfection is unattainable.
Set realistic standards for cleanliness that allow for imperfections.
For example: If you like to have a spotless bathroom (but your shower glass develops limescale at the speed of light requiring immense muscle power and inhaling suffocating chemicals to clean it every week or so) then find alternative ways to manage the limescale or alternatively manage your expectations!
Both are important – your expectations and the problem.
My example of the shower glass problem was a real problem for me and so I started by trying to reset my expectations. When that failed, I set myself a realistic standard.
I had to accept that on some days, due to my busy workload, and familial responsibilities I would have to turn a blind eye to the build up of stains and cloudiness on my shower glass.
But on most days I wanted to ensure that it was sparkling clean. So I created the popular vinegar cleaning mix which is hands down a much breathable experience than using popular cleaning products.
Every morning before using the bathroom, I put on some gloves and spray down the shower glass. I don’t need to wipe it off or anything of the sort. I just spray it and wash it off when using the shower.
Ever since I’ve incorporated this task into my routine, I have a peace of mind, and a reduced need for a deep clean! I’ve saved myself some time, and managed to maintain a pretty clean shower glass in between deep cleans.
We all have our trouble spots, whether that’s emptying our entire wardrobes to organise our clothes, re-arranging our kitchen cabinets or, washing dishes on repeat etc. The key is to set realistic standards which maximise your time.
3. Stop creating jobs
Creating jobs refers to, unintentionally making the home environment more demanding by setting unrealistic or excessive cleaning expectations. Is this you? It certainly is me!
Let’s look at an example of creating a job:
Example: Dusting every surface, including intricate decor items, on a daily basis.
What’s the problem with this?
The problem is that this intensive cleaning routine is time-consuming, exhausting, can detract from more pressing tasks and may contribute to stress and burnout. You may be left feeling as though you don’t have time for the things you had planned, because this cleaning habit took up most of your day.
How do we solve this problem?
Well we can instead set a realistic dusting schedule (this is personal to you as an individual, since what works for one person may no work for another).
This can look like focusing on high traffic areas, i.e. desks and workspaces, dining tables, kitchen countertops etc on a daily basis but ignoring the rest until your allocated cleaning time. Try to adopt a more lenient approach towards the less frequently used spaces. Prioritise functionality over excess cleaning for a balanced and manageable routine.
4. Establish boundaries
Set clear boundaries between your personal time and cleaning time.
Avoid allowing cleaning tasks to encroach on moments dedicated to self-care, relaxation or social events.
If you fail to set clear boundaries between personal and cleaning time may lead to overcommitment, causing stress and impacting your personal well-being.
Therefore set specific time slots for cleaning tasks and prioritise personal time.
Use scheduling tools, communicate expectations with family or housemates, and be consistent in adhering to designated cleaning periods. This ensures a balanced approach to both cleaning and personal activities, reducing stress and promoting well-being.
Conclusion
Learn to let it go!
Recognise that a perfectly clean home does not equate to happiness.
Let go of unnecessary stress associated with maintaining an immaculate environment.
Afterall a home should be filled with laughter and love. It is far richer than an obsessively cleaned home absent of life’s messy but beautiful moments!
Remember, a clean and organised home is undoubtedly beneficial, but it should enhance your life rather than dominate it.
Finding a balance that allows for a tidy living space and personal fulfilment is key. So stop creating unnecessary jobs, set realistic standards, establish boundaries and embrace a ‘learn to let it go’ attitude! Best of luck!