Thanks LightsAndCandy. Totally agree, funny thing is, now when I see an unkempt kitchen, it energizes me.

Like, instead of draining me, now it triggers a sensation of potential energy. Like a pocket of meditative activity just waiting for me to dive in.

The point on control is well taken, too. I am beginning to realize that part of the curative power of cleaning is it gives you momentum. Among the dozens of things in your mind, here is one tangible item you can affect right here and now. And the act of dealing with it and solving for it gives you that reinforcement that you can clear things off the deck. You can clear your mind if you take it one step at a time.

I think one thing that also helps me is to take ownership of a place. Now, I feel connected to the kitchen. I’m sure others can feel a similar way about other places, their office, their woodshop, their garden, etc.