What gets you in the mood...

The mood to clean, that is.

Austin left Monday morning for Cali again (work trip) and I don't go back to work until Wednesday. Now I've been feeling particularly lazy the last few days but I've also not felt the best either (I've got some stuff going on with my heart that I've scheduled a cardiologist appointment to have things checked out) but I wanted to do some cleaning tonight because the house has been a hot mess (with dogs and cats and myself [Austin isn't really messy at all] it's kind of always a mess but that's not the point).

I feel like most people put on something really upbeat, something you can dance to. I used to, but after a while (because it takes me forever to clean) I would get bored or tired and just sit down and not get back up or I'd get super distracted and have a full blown concert. It took me a while to figure it out but I've found that there are two things that will help me get motivated or "gets me in the mood" to clean.

First, motivational speeches (it's funny, I know. Not boring ones though; I like the ones on Spotify. If you look up "motivational speeches" on Spotify it should pop up). They like really hype me up, man. Like I feel that I could move a mountain listening to them.

Second, smut audiobooks (you know dirty books). I know what you're probably thinking, "wtf, why dirty books? How?" My short and simple answer is that they distract me from the boring, repetitive task that is cleaning. My house is getting cleaned and I'm getting entertained at the same time, win - win. Have I gotten overly distracted before and cleaned one small object for an extended amount of time? Absolutely not!...That was a lie, of course I have, but it was really clean when I got done with it so 🙄. But more often than not I get the house cleaned much quicker listening to the smut.

The last one I remember listening to while I cleaned was called Scream for Us by Molly Doyle. Y'all it's spicy, fr 🥵😈. Now it's kinda dark and gives a slew of warnings prior to the audiobook being read but it's good. definitely worth a listen/read if you ask me. (she also has a second book with the same characters, Melt For Us, also *chef's kiss*...My view of Halloween masks and Christmas lights has forever changed).

I have tried to listen to other books, more educational and/or thought provoking but if it's a book I really want to get into and actually comprehend I don't want any distractions while I'm listening. I've had to go back MULTIPLE times to re-listen to parts I've missed and I don't like that. So I suppose unless I find something else to listen to while I clean just know that motivational smut really gets me rearing to go. Clean that is. Calm down.

Morals of today's story:

• Take care of yourself, physically, mentally, all the above. If you need to go to the doctor and you want to wait for whatever reason. Don't wait. Go now.

• Motivational speeches and smut can really help get you through the mundane motion that is cleaning the house

• Animals are great. Their fur, the cat litter and the dirt they track in, not so much. Make wise choices.

• don't be lazy like me.I If you want time off from doing house chores, take that time tomorrow. Get your shit done today.

• Cleaning concerts are the best.

Thanks for reading. Follow along and grow with me...

-CJ