Soothing Domiciles

A home affects self-image, because we see it everyday. In fact, not being able to change it reminds us we don't have any money or someone will judge us for living in another person's home. These factors weigh heavily on the mind; however, simply keeping a home clean improves self-esteem.

Clean may seem impossible if the long-term solution was to cover a room with books, clothes and scraps of rewarding thoughts. Memories and positive reinforcement often looks like messy clutter, trashing up the place. A lived in look inhibits ideas of inviting people over, since already concluding other people's judgments in advance.

Growing up, my parents were too busy to finish household projects. One day they finally got the door back on the kitchen cabinets. I invited a friend over and they started another project in the living room. Coming home after school lumber, a saw and drill were draped across the furniture for over a month. Embarrassment lasted much longer.

Even in this situation, I was not helpless. I could keep my own room clean and invite people over through another entrance, avoiding parents completely. It may take awhile to clean a home after clutter has built up.

Learning a technique from an article in a Wiccan magazine, start small. While listening to music or watching television dab some rubbing alcohol on a rag and slowly clean a table. Clean the same table over a few days. By cleaning a bit, overtime, the whole table is clean. Then start clearing off the dresser; put clothes in the closest, and then file papers away into a drawer. Eventually, the whole room in clean.

The article recommended rubbing alcohol, yet I prefer a tablespoon of ammonia mixed in a quart of water. Place it in a spray bottle, spray and then wipe with a dry cloth, including, the walls. Ammonia is great, because it doesn't discolor clothing or carpet. Bleach is great for sanitation. Never mix ammonia and bleach. This combination creates hydraulic acid and kills the lungs. If wanting to use both, wait at least ten hours for fumes to dissipate. For example, after mopping the floor with ammonia, wait ten hours before washing counters with bleach.

Beyond gaining confidence, cleaning is a great maintenance activity that reduces stress. As a daily or weekly activity, the idea of someone dropping by becomes less threatening. Add personality with a rug or wall decorations. Move around furniture until feels cozy and not a suffocating trap.

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