The Simple Pleasure of Clearing Piled Up Work & Chores
- Details
- Written by AndEl

Yesterday we arrived home here in Davis, CA from a monthlong trip to Tokyo and Guam … and today I’ve been on a lovely spree, clearing out inboxes and processing paper mail and taking care of finances and getting my work and life in order.
It turns out to be one of my favorite simple pleasures: coming back home and clearing things out and cleaning things up, and generally getting back into my healthy routines.
In just half a day, I have already:
- Unpacked and put things away
- Cleared through (and answered) most of my emails and messages on different platforms
- Processed a pile of paper mail
- Paid bills and generally took care of my finances
- Sorted through my calendar and to-do list, going over appointments and getting tasks in order
- Took care of a bunch of work admin tasks
- Cleaned out most of the refrigerator and some of the rest of the kitchen
- Shopped for groceries for healthy meals, and made myself a breakfast of oats, nuts and berries, and a lunch of a huge salad with greens, nuts, beans, and edamame
- Got back into my morning meditation/yoga routine
- Shaved my head and generally got my hygiene in pristine order
There’s more, too, but generally I’m getting things in order, clearing things out, getting things cleaned up, and getting back into my routine. I absolutely love it! It feels really great to get things cleared, cleaned and in order.
Now, it’s not always practical to keep things in perfect order, nor is it practical to wait until you return from a trip to get things back in order. So you might consider doing this on a weekly/monthly basis … for example:
- Weekly: Set aside a day of the week (say, Saturday) when you process & clear out mail/paperwork (I scan mine so it’s stored on the computer, then recycle the actual paper), go over your todo/projects list, check your finances, clear out your email and other inboxes, etc. Also plan your healthy meals and workouts for the week.
- Monthly: On the first of the month (say), do a monthly review, pay all your bills, clean out your fridge and kitchen, sweep the garage and back porch, and make sure all your systems are in order. Review your habits and see what you need to focus on for the next month.
That’s just an example, of course, but something you might consider and tailor to your needs.
But just going through the motions isn’t enough. You have to savor the pleasure of clearing things out! It’s a real joy to clear out your inboxes and paperwork, and feel the satisfaction of having a clear space. It’s a real treat to have a clean kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. It’s a beautiful thing to treat yourself to healthy meals, meditation and exercise, getting yourself into a wonderful space of health and mindfulness.
Savor these things by really enjoying the process, loving the way you’re cleaning your life up, one piece of mail and one kitchen counter at a time. Enjoy the space you’re creating, the release of things you’ve been putting off, the love that is behind every action.
Zen Habits is about finding simplicity and mindfulness in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness. My name is Leo Babauta. I live in Davis, California with my wife and six kids, where I eat vegan food, write, run, and read. Source
Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!
Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below!
Latest Articles
Dive into the Mystical World of the Crystal Wind Oracle Deck!
Get All the Enchanting Details Now!
NEW Expanded Boxed Edition!
Now with 58 Cards for Richer Wisdom!
Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!
Epilepsy - Finding A Cure
Your donation can make a difference!
Help us find a cure – donate now!
Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!
Quake Watch
Follow Us!
Who is Online Now
We have 46643 guests and no members online
Featured This Month
Taurus Mythology
The Taurus Myth The story of Taurus is most vividly tied to the tale of Zeu... Read more
The Crystal Wind Oracle Card Deck
The Crystal Wind Oracle™ The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card D... Read more
Frogs Return Moon
Beaver – Chrysocolla - Blue Camas – Blue April 20 – May 20 The Frogs Retur... Read more
Cartomancy - Fortune Telling Using Playing C…
Cartomancy is the act of divining using cards. Divining means to find out by... Read more
The Time of No Time: Beltane!
Around the medicine wheel of life we go, from season to season (solstice to ... Read more
Sun in Taurus
Sun in Taurus April 21 through May 21 An Overview of Sun Sign Characteristi... Read more
The Seven Chakras and their Meanings
If you could imagine chakras as circles of energy, flowing all the way throu... Read more
Bright Beltane Blessings!
The wheel turns to Beltane, also known as May Day, ushering in summer in the... Read more