Smart Senior

Spring cleaning is an unshakeable tradition. There is no escape. We are creatures of habit and we thrive on creating order out of chaos. It is a good thing too. It is pretty obvious that we can’t just pick up and move every time life becomes messy. Spring cleaning is the next best thing.
Spring cleaning began when fastidious cave women figured out how to make brooms out of branches. They swept and scrubbed and purged their caves until everything was squeaky clean, and it was good. Periotic cleaning and decluttering of the home became a tradition. The broom has been passed from one generation to the next ever since.
Whether the compulsion to clean is genetic or learned behavior is moot, but I think we can all agree that women everywhere get itchy fingers when spring rolls around. A tradition is a tradition after all, and traditions are important.
It is a hard to let such an integral part of our lives go, but for many the pain and fatigue that accompanies aging makes life difficult. For true die-hearts it is still possible to participate but it takes planning. I’ve jotted down a few thoughts but I am open to more suggestions.
• Schedule your tasks. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be done in a day or even a week. There is no reason why you can’t spread spring chores out over April, May and June.
• Do the more demanding chores when your energy level is high, but don’t burn yourself out.
• Relegate simple chores like cleaning out junk drawers to low energy hours and sit down to do them.
• Use step-saving services. There is no shame in using a housecleaning service whether on a regular basis or just for spring cleaning.
• Redefine your ideas about what constitutes spring cleaning and do what works well for you.
Spring cleaning is steeped in tradition, not unlike the New Year Resolution, but the roots go deeper. Go ahead and clean to your hearts content. Sunshine, flowers, warm air and a light heart are great motivators.