At Home with Shellie
Shellie’s Personal Tips to SPRING into Action At Home
It IS spring, but this chilly cold snap confuses me and all of nature. I’m not sure if I am supposed to continue to layer my Long Johns, tights and turtleneck sweaters under my clothes and I am certain the buds on the trees are just as clueless as to what to do next. This season typically bursts in with fresh vibrant, enchanting bright colored flowers, spectacular hues of red and orange that manifest ribbons in the sky at the rise and dawn of the sun; loud and melodic voices of birds and warmer breezes catapult us into a desire or yearning for change. In most cases this becomes most apparent in the interior and exterior of our homes. Cleaning, reorganizing, painting and planting suddenly become new priorities on our “To Do” lists, while Mr. Clean, Pine-Sol, Clorox, brooms, mops, sponges, air fresheners and paint replace food in our supermarket baskets.
Spring doesn’t have its name for nothing. This season, unlike summer, fall or winter seems to endow us with energy and simple motivation to do what we had no momentum or desire to accomplish in the preceding months. We tread fearlessly into areas in our homes that neither man nor beast dare to go. We attempt to de-clutter areas that have been foreboding, like that dark, spider web strung closet we were afraid to open for fear that something might fall out… jump out… or crawl out when opened! As much as spring cleaning and organizing are essential and make us feel good, for the normal busy person, time, not desire is usually the nemesis for getting it done and maintaining it.
I have found that my At Home “Do It Now” philosophy is helpful in this area too. Make-up stains, foundation and pressed powder residue (okay, girly-girl stuff) in the sink, toilet bowl rings and grimy showers make me crazy, but I found that the simple habit of keeping a bottle of cleaner in close proximity so I can spray, wipe and go in seconds allows me to accommodate my schedule while not allowing the crud in those areas to build and become a time consuming undertaking, not to mention just plain yucky.
When it comes to spring projects I have set aside one project per week or weekend and I don’t start another until the current project is complete. This may consist of planting and painting or closet and garage cleaning. Because these tasks require more time, I use my off or down time to tackle these seemingly insurmountable jobs. As a habit I make the bed when I get out of it, toss a load of laundry into the washer while fixing my fresh banana and mango fruit lose weight smoothie (did I say lose weight out-loud? Yup, that is part of my spring into action plan too!). I then spray, scrub and wipe as I go. I use larger chunks of time to enjoy my new found spring energy to rise with the sun, sing with the birds (maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration) but I attempt to make my At Home interior and exterior the envy of the neighbors and it makes me feel great too.
Springing into action may mean quick cleaning while on the go and using well planned time to tackle those tasks that will have the greatest impact on the exterior and interior of our dwelling. It is also essential that spring time and the action that accompanies change makes us feel good not just about what we have done At Home, but physically, emotionally and spiritually.
“I may not have all the answers, but I know the One who does.”
If you have questions or a topic find me at http://www.athomewithshellie.com/ or email me athomewithshellie1@Yahoo.com
