Estimated Reading Time 8 Minutes
Hey You! Welcome to another episode of The Vibrant Life Podcast, where we work toward living our best in every facet of life. I’m your host, Emily Romrell, and today’s topic is that gentle nudge we all need: Clean Your Room. If you’re like me, you tend to go in cycles. I’m pretty good at keeping things clean, but now and then I get thrown off my groove and I need to get myself back on track. I’m sure if I went back and closely looked at the patterns in my life I would see a correlation between times of my inner turmoil and the times I let my spaces fall into disorder. I’m willing to bet it’s the same with you and we’re going to get into reasons behind that today.
But before we talk about tidying up, let me extend a warm invitation to explore more of The Vibrant Life with my books. For those seeking to organize their lives and manifest their dreams, The Vibrant Life Goal Planner is a guiding light. And if you’re seeking a poetic journey that stirs the soul, immerse yourself in my poetry collection, Po~Em’s. All of my stuff is available on Amazon and there are links in the show notes, so check it out!
I want to stay connected so hit that subscribe button. It’s like giving me a virtual high-five. I need all of those I can get. And there’s more! Your reviews are the secret spice that adds an extra zing to the podcast. Drop me a line or two – share your thoughts, your favorite moments, or even your top-notch cleaning hack. It’s all about creating The Vibrant Life Community, and your feedback is glitter that helps it all shine.
Now, let’s talk about the transformative power of tidying up. Let’s start with a scenario that I think we’ve all experienced. Picture this: you trudge into your house, shoulders heavy with the day’s battles. It’s been a difficult day. The main living area of your home is relatively in order, just in case you have company. But still, it could use some sprucing up. However, when you swing open your bedroom door, it’s a zone of total chaos. The air feels different. Your eyes dart around, taking in the scene. Clothes are playing hide and seek on the floor, books are pulling a Jenga act on the shelf, and your bed? It’s like a war zone of pillows and tangled blankets.
Your room has turned into an obstacle course; every step finds random objects crunching beneath your feet. Yesterday’s pizza made a great midnight snack but the stale aroma lingers and mingles with dirty clothes, creating quite a fragrance. The chaos you see and feel becomes a tangible extension of the chaos you’ve been experiencing inside for a while. But fear not, because in this mess there’s a whisper of transformation, a chance to turn the tide and reclaim order. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the beautiful chaos of making things right.
The fact that our outer environment reflects our inner selves is something we’ve all felt at one point or another, right? Experts like Carl Jung, have talked about this connection between our outer world and inner mind. He explained, “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” In other words, when we pay attention to what’s going on inside us, it’s like turning on a light that helps us see clearly in our outer world, too.
Then there’s Marie Kondo, the modern decluttering guru. She’s all about how tidying up our physical space changes our mental game. According to her, a tidy room equals a tidy mind. When our space is organized and clutter-free, our brain is free from all the chaos. And the thing she’s famous for and that I really like is she encourages us to only keep things in our life that quote, “Spark Joy”. There is a lot of wisdom in only keeping things in your life that serve a purpose whether that purpose is practical or sentimental. When we unload all of the extra stuff, life gets lighter.
Sally Augustin, the insightful environmental psychologist, emphasizes in her research that the design and layout of our surroundings influence not only our emotions but also our daily behaviors. In exploring the psychology of interior architecture, Augustin sheds light on the idea that a well-designed space has the power to positively shape our experiences and interactions. Her work underscores the importance of creating environments that align with our psychological needs and contribute to our overall well-being.
In recent years, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, a leading clinical psychologist and professor whom I greatly admire, has become a famous advocate for cleaning your room. He highlights the impact of cleaning and beautifying your room in his book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. According to Peterson, this straightforward action greatly impacts personal development and overall well-being.
Dr. Peterson’s approach begins with the practicality of cleaning. He suggests that tidying up your room isn’t only about the physical act of organizing; it’s taking control over your immediate environment. Chaos and disorder in our personal spaces reflect the chaos within our minds. By confronting external disorder we take crucial steps toward lessening our inner turmoil. You don’t have to do everything all at once if it’s too overwhelming. He advises us to break things down into small enough steps that we will take action. We’ll gain momentum as we repeat the process. This is a major key to life, breaking it down into doable chunks. And you know what? When you clean your room not only are you giving yourself a peaceful place; you’re flexing your empowerment muscles. It feels pretty awesome.
Dr. Peterson also stresses the value of making our rooms beautiful. He argues that making a room beautiful engages people with their environment, which favorably influences mood and mentality. He advises curating a room with elements that contribute to a sense of harmony and meaning tailored specifically to the individual. In his words, “By surrounding ourselves with meaningful items, artwork, and elements of personal significance, we actively contribute to the creation of a space that reflects our values and fosters a positive and meaningful life.”
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there’s a strong emphasis on the principle of cleanliness and orderliness as an expression of reverence and respect for sacred spaces. And our homes should be the most sacred spaces of all outside of the temple.
In the Bible, we find verses like 1 Corinthians 14:40 which says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” This underscores the importance of maintaining order and cleanliness in our surroundings as a way of honoring our environment and ourselves. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we discover a poignant reminder in D&C 109: 8: “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” I don’t think a house can become any of those things if it is not kept clean and beautiful.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, in his address “Be Ye Therefore Perfect – Eventually,” emphasized the importance of order in our lives, stating, “We should expect to be transformed, bit by bit, as we try and try and try again to be a little better, a little kinder, a little more helpful – a little more Godlike.” This transformation includes maintaining order in our physical surroundings and contributing to our spiritual growth.
Furthermore, in the book “For the Strength of Youth,” a guide for young members of the LDS Church and for everyone really, there’s a specific section that encourages individuals to keep their living spaces clean and beautiful. It states, “Keep your room and living space neat, clean, and attractive. When you beautify your surroundings, you add to your own self-respect and esteem.”
So by now, I’m sure I’ve pounded in my point with enough evidence on why it’s so important to keep our homes and specifically our bedrooms clean. The why is clear but the how can sometimes be tricky. Let’s break it down. First things first, decluttering is your best friend. Tackle one area at a time – be it that overflowing bookshelf or the chaotic closet. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” If not, let that item go my friend.
Next up, let’s talk about organization. Invest in storage solutions that fit your style. Whether it’s cute baskets, sleek shelves, or quirky hooks, find what works for you. It’s not about hiding stuff; it’s about creating a place for everything and having everything in its place. Then take the extra thirty seconds to put the things where they go after you use them.
Cleaning is next on our list. Set a regular schedule – nothing too overwhelming, just a little bit each day to keep the chaos at bay. Dust those shelves, vacuum the nooks, and wipe down surfaces. It’s amazing what a little TLC does for your space.
Now, the fun part – decoration. Add personal touches that make you smile. Whether it’s artwork, photos, or plants, let your room tell your story. Don’t be afraid to switch things up. Let your room reflect who you are.
Last, embrace the power of routine or I even like the stronger word: ritual. Make your bed first thing; it’s a simple act that sets a positive tone for the day. And don’t forget the power of a good playlist – cleaning is much more fun with your favorite jam.
There you have it. Your room is your sanctuary, and taking these steps can turn it into a space that reflects your personality and promotes a positive and beautiful atmosphere.
Let’s end things full circle and revisit our visualization scenario. Picture this: You step into your bedroom after a whirlwind day. The open window lets in a gentle breeze that instantly helps you breathe easier. You’ve entered a safe haven from the chaos of the outside world and as you step inside, you feel the tension melting away. The weight eases off your shoulders.
Take a long deep breath. The air has this crisp, clean scent that cleanses your soul. It’s a mix of that just-washed sheets smell, a hint of something from your favorite cleaner, and a touch of that cozy, comforting scent that’s uniquely your room’s own. The sunlight streams in through the window. It casts warm, golden rays that dance across the room. Shadows play on the walls, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and dark that’s almost hypnotic.
In your mind, run your hands over the surfaces in your room – everything feels smooth, polished, and perfectly in place. Your books are arranged neatly on the shelf. Your clothes are folded and put away. Your bed is soft with freshly washed sheets that beg you to sink into them. The blankets are neatly folded, the pillows plumped just right ready to wrap you up into a state of relaxation. There’s not a crumb of food in sight because you rarely eat in bed, but if you do, you put your dishes away right after you use them.
The room is quiet, except for the soft rustle of curtains in the breeze and the distant hum of birds outside. You smile at your favorite piece of artwork on the wall and at the friendly plant on your bedside table. It’s a peaceful, a welcome contrast to the chaos of the outside world. Here, in your room, you are perfectly content and perfectly yourself. Everything is in order and in its place. It’s wonderful.
With that, I’ll leave you. Thanks for spending some time with me today and I hope you have a terrific week! Live The Vibrant Life.
