Spotless

Being a diligent and disciplined sort of fellow means things around me are in good order; that extends to my vehicles, workshop, storage and vehicle garages, my home and work office, even myself. Of course, it means I like to keep a spotless home as well...and I do.

I think maintaining a high level of presentation in the spaces around me, and from my own personal presentation perspective, is a reflection of who I am as a person and while it doesn't mean I don't know how to relax and be a little more casual, I think it promotes a better standard of living, of life, and I believe that to be important physically and emotionally.

There's times when I'm less stringent and thankfully I have someone to help on those occasions, my girlfriend who picks up my slack, but generally we clean and tidy as we go and together and have a few routine things we do in the house daily that helps to keep things in order. Here's a few of those things that happen daily...almost daily, that help us maintain a clean, clutter-free and tidy home which improves our personal headspace at the same time.

• Clothes are not left laying around, they are put away when removed, put in the wash, the wardrobe or drawers.
• Quick wipe-downs of mirrors and sinks. These are highly visible areas so keeping them wiped down daily gives a nice feeling of cleanliness.
• We clean as we cook meaning there's less clutter and chance for things to lay about the place. It takes a little more orchestrating but it works really nicely and even makes things easier after the meal is complete. When we cook together it's like a finely-tuned machine at work. I've been known to break out and grab her boob now and then, but she doesn't mind...unless I have a sharp knife in my hand and then she goes nuts.
• Wiping down the showers after use is a big one; who doesn't like glistening glass and spotless tiles in the shower? It took some time for my girlfriend to get me on board with this one but it's ingrained now.
• Kitchen counters and the stainless steel fridge are wiped down daily, sometimes more often depending if it's a work day or not. We also use antibacterial wipes which keeps things germ free.
• We make the bed every day, and when I saw we make the bed, I mean my girlfriend makes the bed with no help from me. I refuse to put all those cushions back on when that night they all need to be removed again. We have an ongoing battle of wills around cushions...a battle I usually lose.
• The two minute rule is always applied. Two minutes to dust something, put something away, wipe, swiffer part of the floor...it's a small amount of time but has a big impact.

I don't think it matters where small efforts like this are used, they have value. Cleaning out the vehicles, washing them, organising my workshop, home office, a couple minutes of dusting or neatening up my wardrobes...it all adds up and makes "housework days" take less time. It's all about small amounts of effort often I guess.

Applying discipline is something that comes easily to me, habit I suppose, and it happens across all areas of my life and I benefit greatly from it; I don't even see it as an effort to be honest, it's just a part of who I am. I also love organisation, neatness, a lack of clutter and a home that feels comfortable, clean and tidy.

What about you? Do you have a regime that helps you keep your home, vehicle, workspaces, garden or other parts of your life clean, tidy and clutter-free? Let me know in the comments below if you'd like to.