We all have those days when peace feels like a million miles away. But thankfully, all it takes is two simple things to get there, and that’s a little cleaning and some journaling. You’ll get to start your day in a neat space and unwind by writing down your thoughts. Here are 11 ways you can make this happen every day.

Clear Out and Write Down

Take ten minutes to pick a spot and get rid of any mess. As you toss out old receipts or organize books, write down what thoughts come to mind, and you’ll see how cleaning out a drawer can also help clear your mind. Beyond making space in your home, you’ll be able to make space in your head, too. 

Daily Highlights and Spot Cleaning

At the end of the day, write down the highlight of your day and tidy up the place where it happened. Whether it’s the kitchen where you had a fun dinner or the living room where you relaxed with a good book, you’ll get to relive a good moment while keeping your space neat. You’re setting yourself up for another wonderful experience there tomorrow.

Inspirational Spaces

Try writing a motivational quote in your journal, then clean a spot so that everyone can see this quote. Doing so will keep you inspired and make sure your surroundings stay fresh. While you’re at it, why not switch up the quotes now and then? Eventually, you’ll find inspiration right in your cleaned and curated space.

Journal Prompts Jar

Try creating a jar filled with different journal prompts and pick one each day after your cleaning session. When you do this, you’ll have a reason to start your writing, which can make each journal entry unique. Best of all, this twist will keep both your mind and your living space looking forward to what’s next.

Reward System

You can even set up a reward system for yourself and maybe treat yourself to a little something special after a week of sticking to your cleaning and journaling routine. It could be as simple as a new journal or a fancy cleaning tool. Having rewards will motivate you to keep up with your tasks and make the whole process a lot more fun.

Cleaning Supply DIY

Get crafty and make some of your own cleaning supplies, like homemade sprays or natural scrubs. Once you’re finished, write down the recipes and your thoughts about using them in your journal. It’ll make your cleaning routine more interesting while also turning your daily chores into something more personal and gratifying.

Use Cleaning as a Workout

Turn your cleaning sessions into a mini workout by adding some lunges when vacuuming or doing arm circles while dusting. This way, you’ll get your house clean and your heart rate up. After your cleaning workout, write down how you felt in your journal. You might find that a clean house and a bit of exercise really lift your spirits.

Plant Care Day

Make sure you include plant care in your cleaning routine by dusting off leaves and watering your indoor plants. Once you’re done, write about your plants in your journal and note any new leaves or blooms. Caring for plants can improve your mood, and keeping track of their progress in your journal just helps you connect even more with the natural world.

Quiet Time Cleaning

You should also have one cleaning session each week in complete silence and allow yourself to really tune into the task. After cleaning, write about the experience in your journal so you can spot some details you might usually miss. It’ll help you feel calmer and may even help you appreciate cleaning as a form of meditation.

Reflect on Past Entries

As part of your cleaning routine, go through your old journal entries once a month. This will help you reflect on how much you’ve grown. It’s also a perfect time to clean out and organize your journaling space, making sure everything is fresh for new thoughts. Of course, you can do it more frequently than this if you wish.

New Tool Trials

Try out a new cleaning tool or journaling accessory every so often, like a different kind of duster or unusually scented cleaning products. Then, write down your thoughts about it, whether it made the cleaning more effective or journaling enjoyable. Experimenting like this keeps things interesting and might just introduce you to a new favorite tool.