Some days, it can be challenging to get motivated to clean. You may roll out of bed and barely get dressed on those tough days. Then, you walk around your house and feel completely overwhelmed.
Everyone goes through this. Life isn’t sunshine always, no matter who you are. Here is what I do know and what I do to help me get out of the funk when I don’t feel like cleaning.
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I know internally, the turmoil inside your head can be debilitating. Torn between what your brain is screaming you should be doing and battling the inside voice trying to tear you down.
Find something you can control
Instead of staring at the mess and feeling debilitated, I like to do something that makes me feel in control, or that makes me feel good. Because the house isn’t, and if you are anything like me, a messy home can quickly make me feel like I am losing control and give me anxiety on top of it.
Finding something you can control feeds your inner peace, motivates you to tackle other tasks, and gives you that good feeling. And we want that good feeling to help us start doing what we have to do.
This can be self-care, walking, doing something fun, etc. It could even be something you are feeling out of control with, which has been nagging at you. And it’s that feeling like I can’t stand it anymore. Tackle it to get that good feeling going.
Think like a project you have meant to complete or something you need to get off your chest.
Pour into your cup and then go back to tackling the home.
Start with a small task
Once I get out of the internal bully headspace, I can focus on tackling a small task, which typically gets the ball rolling, even if that means doing only a few things and taking a break.
The kitchen is my small task zone. The sink and clear counters instantly make the house feel better. If your dishes are piled too high, start anywhere. This could even be a bedside table.
And the small task doesn’t necessarily mean scrubbing something clean. There is a difference between tidying and cleaning. Maybe you tidy up an area that brings you joy, such as makeup or your library of books.
Focus on your happy space
Is there a place in your home that brings you zen or that you love spending time in? Get it in tip-top shape to use as your grounding point.
Let me explain. Have you ever cleaned an area of your home and gone back several times to see how great it is?
It may have made you feel proud, accomplished, or even grateful.
You want to create that for yourself, especially in your favorite area, so that when you get ready to tackle the rest of the home, you can retreat to that room to free your mind from overwhelm.
Sit in it if you have to, then tackle a load of laundry. Then come back, sit in it again, take a deep breath, reset, and go again. The idea is to chase that good feeling over and over again.
Clean with grace
If you are sleep-deprived, have worked long hours, or have been to one too many kid sports games in the past few days. You have to give yourself grace and don’t let that Bruno in your head bring you down. You say to say “Silenco Bruno!” and give that grace to yourself.
You have been in a whirled wind and need to pat yourself on the back for what you have gotten done. If all you could mentally manage was a very small area, you did something! Remember that.
Let go of the cleaning rules
Listen, when you are unmotivated to clean, there’s no time to clean in order of operation or hold yourself back because of the perfection syndrome of doing it the right way.
Use shortcuts and cleaning hacks! Wipe the surfaces instead of scrubbing to get out of the deep mess—wipe with a disinfectant to get to a clean, flat surface.
This will help you feel accomplished, and when you are ready, you can deep clean that surface next time. When you think the house is under control, it will motivate you to do deeper cleaning.
Race the timer
There is a simple trick you can use to hack your brain. It’s setting a timer. This brain hack works because a timer gives you a clear reference point and helps create structure. Your brain switches to focus and manage tasks. It’s also goal-oriented, so it will trigger the reward system.
A visual timer can be really helpful in this. Or you can even just use a song. Put on that favorite song you love, and get to cleaning. Try to finish before the song it over.
Make it fun
When unmotivated, combine easy task with something you do for fun.
If you need to fold laundry, listen to an audiobook, or watch your favorite show.
You must get those floors shiny, mop, and bop to your favorite music.
If watching other people clean helps, then subscribe to my YouTube channel and play it in the background to motivate yourself to clean.
Repeat cleaning mantras to yourself
Mantras are helpful tools for focusing on the task at hand. Cleaning is more than just a chore—it’s an act of care for our homes, our well-being, and our mental clarity.
These simple, positive affirmations can turn a tedious task into a mindful ritual, helping you stay focused, calm, and motivated as you clean.
Below are a list of my few favorite ones. Read a longer list over on my cleaning mantra post.
With every sweep, I create peace
This mantra is great for wiping down surfaces or sweeping the floor. It reminds you that each action contributes to a peaceful, organized environment.
I release what no longer serves me
Use this when you’re decluttering. This mantra reinforces the idea that clearing out old or unnecessary things creates room for new growth and positive energy in your life.
I care for my space, and it cares for me
This mantra fosters a reciprocal relationship between you and your environment. It acknowledges that maintaining your home is a form of self-care that enhances your overall well-being.
Sometimes, we forget that our outward space and its mess could reflect what is happening inside. So, we need to affirm who we are.
Don’t depend on motivation
Motivation is tricky, and when you depend on it to help you clean, well, chances are it will leave you high and dry. Think of it as a rocket booster instead. You see, motivation is what propels something, but it won’t sustain it. You need a secondary tool: creating habits, systems, and routines. They will help you get back on track as part of your day.
Your motivation consistently changes, so we have to ensure that we have a second force of action to keep us going, just like a roller coaster needs gravity after it reaches the top.