Use the Ski Slope Method When Cleaning Becomes Tedious
Cleaning, decluttering, and putting things in order can become exhausting if you try to do it all at once, and demoralization will only prevent you from doing a good job (or getting it done at all).
If this sounds like you, you need an action plan that will not only help you stay focused on the task at hand, but also make you feel positive and motivated – so consider the so-called “ski slope method”, which aims to keep your morale up by keeping your tasks are discrete and manageable.
What is the ski slope method?
This technique was developed by Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist who approaches the organization from the perspective of her experience in mental health. She describes this method in her book Home Therapy: Interior Design to Increase Happiness, Boost Confidence, and Create Calm .
Yokota sees the connection between clutter in someone’s life and clutter in their home, and how the two can exacerbate each other. So she suggests recognizing that cleaning is a “mental marathon,” something that happens over time (and constantly), rather than all at once.
Yokota’s method asks you to imagine your messy room to be like a ski slope. If you try to go straight down (that is, complete the whole task at once), it may seem overwhelming, but if you zigzag (clear in stages), you can get down the mountain with much less stress.
So, think about the room you are going to clean. Instead of looking at the whole thing (a huge mess you’ll never be able to clean up!), start in one corner or section and work from there: declutter, organize, and organize. Move to the next side or section and repeat again. Continue moving around the room, working from side to side. Once you finish each section, you can pause for a break if necessary, and then continue where you left off.
Why the Ski Slope Method Works
The ski slope method helps you break down your work into parts that you can clearly visualize. By jumping from one corner or section to another, further on, you move in bursts instead of starting in one place and constantly moving away from there. As individual sections become more tidy, you’ll see results that will help you stay motivated. At the same time, the step-by-step approach gives you ample opportunity for breaks, increasing your chances of getting to the bottom of the mountain with your sanity intact.