Clean Your Room

January 10, 2021

     The incessant buzzing of my toothbrush draws to a close. I rinse my mouth and walk into my room to see ruffled bedsheets, trash on the floor, and dust on my nightstand. With intention I ask myself, How can I improve my room? Initially, I make my bed and pick up the trash on the floor. Then, I wipe the dust off my nightstand and vacuum the carpet. Reveling in my immediate purpose, I peer into my closet and grab the outrageous blue banana shirt that I have not worn in months. I bring this shirt to my car, ready to donate it to Goodwill. Now back in my room, I soak in the cleanliness. I stand in awe of the productivity of the last five minutes. My room is improved.

     It may seem like nothing has happened, but there is great significance to the state of your room. The condition of your room has a strong effect on your well-being. You are a product of your surroundings. Doing the arithmetic, it is fair to say that you spend a large percentage of your life in your room. Your life is affected by the cleanliness and order of your room. 

     Expanding upon this, there are activities that you do every day: brushing your teeth, showering, eating, driving, and so on. These simple, mundane activities also consume a large percentage of your life. The percentage of your life spent in your room combined with the time performing mundane, habitual activities is astounding. Improving these areas of your life will pay dividends. 

     When Canadian clinical psychologist and renowned lecturer Jordan Peterson was asked, How does someone find direction in life?, he answered stoically, “Clean your room.” Jordan Peterson understands the value of improving your space to improve your life. Moreso, the act of cleaning is a skill that can transcend beyond the walls of your room or car. The act of cleaning is as follows: inventory, organization, and action. First, inventory refers to the question of: What do I have? It could be the trash on the floor or the beautiful painting on the wall. While I am discussing cleaning, the item does not have to have a connotation of needing to be cleaned, it just needs to be what you have. Secondly, is the process of organization; this is where the items that you own are organized. In this case, to be cleaned or not to be cleaned. Lastly, action must be taken. Without action, there is no such thing as cleaning. 

     As I have said, this process of inventory, organization, and action can be extended to all aspects of life. If you want to improve your mundane habits or any other area of your life, follow this process. With regards, you all have relationships, emotions, goals, and so on. These concepts are much more complex than any item in your room, but the same cleaning process is applicable. Take inventory of what you have, organize what it is, and take action. Calculate your aim and fire. 

     Jordan Peterson is correct in the notion that the simple act of cleaning your room draws upon direction in life. Ultimately, this process of inventory, organization, and action will help you to live more intentionally and purposeful. So, open the door to your room and begin to clean. You will be glad you did!