Life Tip #17: Tidy As You Go

It’s morning.

You’re tired.

You’re thinking about coffee (or whatever your morning pick-me-up is). You’re trying to remember what day it is and what you have to do.

But you walk into the kitchen and all you see is last night’s mess. And suddenly, the day turns even darker.

This is why “tidy as you go” matters.

You’re not trying to keep a spotless house. You’re not trying to impress anyone. But “Future You” needs some calm, clean moments.

Usually, we don’t think about things in the future. We’re all about what’s right now and what we need to do right now. We’re tired, busy and we usually let things fall where they drop.

And usually, that’s fine because you feel like you’re always in survival mode.

But are you in survival mode all the time? Or do you sometimes do it because you just don’t feel like it right then?

On the days that you can do a little more, try this:

Think in tiny resets: (These things take less than 10 seconds.)
Put the cup in the sink.
Wipe the counter once.
Take the trash out on your way out the door.
Fold the blanket you used

…

Make it part of your “flow”.

Pair it with something you already do. Then, it becomes automatic.

After you eat: put the dishes in the dishwasher, not the sink.
After you shower: hang the towel up.
After you walk through a room: fold the blanket or pick up the pillows.
Make your bed before you leave your room in the morning.

Remember: this isn’t about perfection.

It’s about reducing the friction of life.
You’re lowering the background noise.
You’re giving yourself a little more breathing room.

…

It’s not because you should. It’s because “Future You” deserves a gentle day.

Tidy as you go.

Besides, wouldn’t you like to walk into your bedroom after work and see a bed that’s been made up already? Usually the sheets are rumpled. The pillow’s on the floor.

Just imagine. Your bed is made. Everything looks crisp and neat, and you can just imagine how wonderful those sheets are going to feel when you finally slide into them.

Make you bed right after you get up, (okay, after you use the bathroom), but come back and make the bed really quickly.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes even just pulling the covers up and fixing the pillow is good enough.

Try it. See how it makes you feel when you come home from work.

If you like these life tips, let me know and I’ll continue. Subscribe/ follow or buy me a coffee.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.