Habit #2: Do a Chore

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo does not make an overstatement in its title. I used the KonMarie Method to go through each of my possessions, discard what no longer served me, and find homes for what brought me joy. This led me to a new apartment, a new job, stronger relationships, and a transformation in my mental health. I highly recommend checking out Kondo's books and website (https://konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/#:~:text=It%20might%20seem%20logical%20to,in%20more%20than%20one%20place.).

Tidying everything is a multi-month or even year(s)-long project, but that project, or the maintenance of it, can be tackled daily by making it a habit to do a chore. It might just be making your bed or putting your breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. I have found that completing an act of organization each day is a beautiful way to impact the space I live in and practice peace.

Usually doing just one chore leads to a couple more, and then my space becomes relaxing and tidy. A clean space gives me more room to think, and it usually helps me sleep better too. Doing a chore makes me feel like a good roommate, and it also becomes an act of self-care. When I just do one chore but leave the rest undone, it still allows me to feel a bit of accomplishment while giving an extra opportunity to practice acceptance and surrender. If doing a chore is a habit, another chunk can be made in the mess the next day!

So, as a second habit for grounding life in the crazies and the busies, I recommend doing a chore each day and making time for a larger clean up once or twice each week. If you have never been tidy (like me before I did the KonMarie Method), it is definitely worth learning how to be, and it might even change your life.