Do you want an easy, fun, and effective way to help keep your home tidy?
Adopt the mantra don’t leave empty handed.
The results will amaze you.
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My Story
I just finished reading The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margaret Magnusson.
Although it was written for those getting older and needing to reduce the number of their possessions, it is a fascinating read for all ages.
One of my key takeaways was the story about a friend of Margaret who routinely entertained friends. As the evening was winding down, and people were leaving, she issued a gentle reminder to not leave empty handed.
She wasn’t asking them to take home the leftovers. Instead, she was nicely requesting that as they left the table, they carry something to the kitchen on their way out.
The result was a lot less mess when the final guest departed.
The author internalized the message, adapted it to keeping her home tidy, and it became her mantra.
The result was an overall much tidier home.
The idea was right up my ally, and I decided to adopt the mantra as my own.
For anyone who isn’t naturally neat and tidy, I can attest that adopting this mantra is great motivation for keeping everything picked up as you go.
Putting the mantra into practice
Don’t leave a room empty handed.
As you leave the room, take a quick look around and see if there’s anything you can pick up and put away as you go.
I am constantly amazed at how much clutter I can leave without even realizing it.
A stray glass, a crumbled tissue, a random cough drop paper.
My sister refers to them as “droppings”. Evidence left behind witnessing to the fact that you’ve been there.
Pick up one or two items and put them away on your way to wherever you are going.
Don’t get sidetracked on the way from one room to another.
It’s so easy to pick up one or two things and the next thing you know, you’re cleaning the ceiling fan.
Or you go to put the pencil in the drawer and, without even meaning to, you’re tied up in a full-scale cleaning project.
We are all guilty of it.
Put the glass, or paper, or tissue away, and continue on to your original destination.
We’re talking an extra minute at most.
Get everyone living in your home on board.
Repeatedly remind everyone, don’t leave empty handed, until they are sick of hearing it.
They may roll their eyes, but chances are, they will pick something up and put it away.
Learning to pick up as you go is a great life skill and, one day, maybe far, far away, they will thank you.
This is a practice that’s effective anywhere stray clutter exists.
- Don’t leave your car empty-handed.
- Don’t leave your office empty-handed.
- Don’t leave the pool deck empty handed.
Anywhere, anytime that stray clutter exists, remember the mantra.
Do you want an easy, fun, and effective way to keep your home tidy?
Don’t leave empty handed!
Start today! The results will astound you.
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