\n
“Before enlightenment, cut wood and carry water. After enlightenment, cut wood and carry water.”<\/span><\/p>\nZen disciples, or “unsui” monks, spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing.<\/span><\/p>\n“We sweep dust to get rid of earthly desires. We scrub dirt to get rid of attachments,” writes Yoshihiro Matsumoto, a monk living in Kyoto, Japan, in his book, A Monk’s Guide to a Clean Home and Mind. \u201cThe time spent carefully cleaning every nook and cranny of the temple grounds is very fulfilling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
Get the love letter: Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\nA weekly delivery with all the best related content and commentary. Plus, exclusive content for fans like Love Letters, Dinner with Cupid, Weddings, and Therapy Talks.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHolly Schiff, a clinical psychologist based in Greenwich, Conn., agrees that the process of cleaning can be calming, almost meditative.<\/span><\/p>\n“I definitely think there’s a link between mental health and the act of cleaning,” she says.<\/span><\/p>\n“Repetitive physical activities like cleaning can modulate the nervous system because they are predictable, structured, and provide a clear sense of completion,” she says. It gives people a sense of control and grounding.<\/span><\/p>\nPlus, you can immediately see the results of what you do. “This can be different and more satisfying than many cognitive or emotional tasks,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\nIf you find cleaning intimidating and daunting, it might be helpful to focus on the process rather than the to-do list.<\/span><\/p>\nTips for cleaning more carefully:<\/span><\/p>\n“For people who tend to think of cleaning as a monotonous job, I think this shift is not about forcing people to enjoy cleaning, but about changing the way they interact with it,” Schiff said.<\/span><\/p>\nDon’t try to rush through it. Pay attention to your body movements, rhythm, and water temperature.<\/span><\/p>\n“When you slow down and focus on the sensory side, it can start to work more like a mindfulness practice,” Schiff says.<\/span><\/p>\nFor some people, cleaning is an opportunity to free their minds.<\/span><\/p>\n“By gently caring for your habitat, your mind naturally settles into a state of peace and unforced clarity,” Matsumoto says.<\/span><\/p>\nMatsumoto said cleaning is a way to take care of yourself and the world.<\/span><\/p>\n“In our practice, we don’t think of cleaning as a chore to control the environment. Instead, we think of it as ‘habitat care,'” he said. “Just as our bodies maintain a dynamic equilibrium to maintain health, cleaning is an extension of that biological process to the spaces we live in. When we clean, we’re not just tidying up a room, we’re caring for an extended version of ourselves. It’s a way of caring for our relationship with the world.”<\/span><\/p>\nMatsumoto says that instead of seeking a perfect result, try to accept the unfinished state without worrying.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cPeace is not found in a final \u2018tidy-up\u2019 state,\u201d he said, \u201cbut in the humble, ongoing act of emptying space and mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThere is no such thing as perfection.<\/span><\/p>\n“Everything in nature is constantly changing. The moment you finish sweeping, the leaves fall,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\nIn some cases, it’s not the task itself that makes you feel overwhelmed, but what the task represents. It could be time pressure, self-judgment, or other concerns, Schiff says.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cTo reduce that barrier, break down tasks into very small, defined actions,\u201d she suggested. \u201cStart by choosing one surface, one task, or one room.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n“A lot of the overwhelm comes from anticipating the entire task rather than just tackling the first step,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\n“In a clean space, you can feel the care and awareness of the person cleaning it, even if no one is there to clean it,” says Matsumoto. “This awareness creates a sense of peace and safety, in the same way that a sacred space like a temple feels different from a busy street.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n