How To Motivate Yourself To Start Spring Cleaning

Hunting for dust bunnies in your home is not an ideal way to spend the afternoon no matter what the season, but there's something about spring cleaning that just feels particularly painful. Seriously, why did someone ever think, "Hey, now that it's beautiful outside, why not take a day to clean out your closest, organize old files, and dust the ceiling fan?" But before you throw in the towel without wiping anything first, there are lots of ways to motivate yourself to clean, even when you don't feel like it.

Because as terrible as the thought of cleaning may seem now, we can't deny that there are tons of satisfying things about spring cleaning that make it all worth it. Guests will feel more comfortable coming over, your home won't have that weird old-pizza smell, and you're less likely to get bugs and rodents. (If that's not reason enough to throw out the trash, I don't know what is.)

Look — cleaning up isn't always fun, but I promise it's a worthwhile endeavor. The hardest part is getting started, which is why I've put together a clear and concise list of ways to motivate yourself. I'm not saying this will be a party, but once it's over you'll realize it wasn't so bad, after all.

1. Set a schedule and stick to it

A motivating quote that I often refer to is: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I'm not sure who said it, but it applies to most situations. If you simply schedule a time to clean, you have a much better chance of actually getting it done. Once you've picked a day to clean, make a list of the things that need to be done, and tackle them one at a time.

2. Prepare yourself

Now that you have a list of what needs to be cleaned, make sure you have everything you need to get the job done. Have all your tools and products in one spot so you're not running around your house looking for cleaning supplies that got lost in the mess.

3. Clean in the morning

If you get the most terrifying task of your day done at the beginning, then you can enjoy the rest of the day once the most overwhelming part is out of the way.

4. Turn up the tunes

Music can always be used for motivation. Make a playlist of upbeat songs, or pick a Pandora station that is sure to get you in the cleaning groove. Whether it's hip hop, rock, or country, it'll make the time pass by a lot more quickly, and will make the task seem less daunting.

5. Just remember it'll all be over soon

If you've got the above items checked off, then the actual cleaning process should be a breeze, but when you get to the worst part of it (for me, it's scrubbing the toilet), just remember it'll all be over soon. And once it is, reward yourself! It's good to have something to look forward to like lunch or a movie, or maybe just a long shower in a clean tub.

Image: Roosh Inf3ktion/Flickr; Giphy (5)