Cleaning can often feel like a Herculean task, especially for those of us who have seen many seasons come and go. The energy and motivation to keep our homes spick and span can sometimes be as elusive as a cool breeze on a scorching summer day. But fear not, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, because there's a method to the madness that can help transform your cleaning routine instantly, and it's called the 'Five Things' method.

This ingenious approach to tidying up comes from KC Davis, a licensed professional therapist and author of 'How to Keep House While Drowning.' Davis, who has become a beacon of practical advice on TikTok with a following of 1.5 million, shares her wisdom under the banner of 'Struggle Care.' Her philosophy is simple: cleaning shouldn't be a source of stress, and mental health is just as important as a tidy home.


So, what exactly is the 'Five Things' method? It's a way to break down any mess into five manageable categories:


1. Trash – Start by collecting and disposing of all the trash. This means taking a garbage bag and doing a sweep of the room, picking up receipts, wrappers, and any other rubbish you find.


2. Laundry – Next, focus solely on gathering clothes and shoes. Place them in a basket, and resist the temptation to pick up anything else. Clearing away the laundry makes it easier to see what's left to tackle.

3. Dishes – Round up all the dishes and place them in the sink. Don't worry about washing them just yet; the goal is to clear the space.

4. Things that have a place – Now, it's time to put away items that already have a designated spot in your home. If you're dealing with multiple rooms, consider sorting these items into boxes based on where they belong to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth trips.


5. Things that don't have a place – Finally, create a pile for items without a specific home. Once you've cleared the space, you can decide where these things should go, whether it's finding a new spot for them or deciding to let them go.

The beauty of the 'Five Things' method is that it allows for flexibility. You can spread the process over several days if tackling it all at once feels too daunting. It's about progress, not perfection.

KC Davis reminds us that a cluttered home is not a moral failing. Life happens, and there are countless reasons, from health challenges to simply having a busy household, that can lead to a less-than-tidy living space. By breaking down the task into these five categories and focusing on one at a time, you can make your home more livable. And once it's livable, you can then give it that thorough clean if you wish.

Members, have you ever felt overwhelmed by the prospect of cleaning? Have you tried the 'Five Things' method or a similar approach? We'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for keeping your home tidy without the stress. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's help each other make our homes a sanctuary of calm and order, one 'thing' at a time.