cait

“It’s nice to see you again”

What cleaning supplies do I actually need?

Tools:

Broom, mini-broom, and dustpan

Mop (get a real mop, not a Swiffer)

Vacuum (if you have carpet)

Microfiber cloths

Dish sponges

Scouring pad

Products:

All-purpose cleaner

Disinfecting/antibacterial cleaner

Mop fluid (Pine-Sol works for most mops)

Glass cleaner

Toilet-bowl cleaner

Shower/tub cleaner

Dish soap

Furniture cleaner/wood cleaner

Miscellaneous:

Trash bags (to fit all your trash cans), recycling bags

What do I need to do when?

Disclaimer: This is a suggestion. Feel free to modify it to your needs. I am both chronically ill and mentally ill, so I regularly modify my cleaning plans to be more accessible to me. Just do your best and it will work out :)

Multiple times a day:

Handwash dishes

Wipe kitchen counter with an all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth (immediately after cooking)

Wipe kitchen sink with a soapy sponge (immediately after washing dishes)

Rinse bathroom sink with water (immediately after brushing teeth)

Some people prefer to tidy up multiple times a day/as they go

Always disinfect your kitchen thoroughly using an antibacterial or disinfectant cleaner after cooking raw meat or fish to avoid foodborne illness.

Once a day:

Load/unload the dishwasher

Put away dishes

Wipe kitchen sink, counter, and stove with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth

Clean bathroom sink and counter with an all-purpose cleaner (or even just soap)

Some people prefer to do one big tidy once a day

Make your bed and fix any pillows and blankets throughout the house

Replace your dirty towels and sponges

Check the mail

1-2 times a week:

Take out any trash that contains food waste or period waste

Clean your dining table using either glass or furniture/wood cleaner and a microfiber cloth

Disinfect your sink, counter, and stove using an antibacterial or disinfectant cleaner.

Fix any spaces that need to be organized, but get disorganized over time

Wipe your heavily-trafficked furniture with a microfiber cloth and use a cleaner on any surfaces you feel need it

Clean your floors (sweep, mop, and vacuum)

Clean your tub/shower and your toilet

Do laundry - the three categories I usually do are towels (kitchen and bathroom), sheets/blankets, and clothes, but you may have more or less categories

Water any plants you need to

Take out the trash/recycling

1-2 times a month:

Clean your appliances (mostly as needed, but don't let it get really bad or it will be so much harder to clean)

Clean out expired food from your fridge and pantry

Wash your shower curtain

Clean your shower drain so that it doesn't get clogged (you may need to do this more often if you have long hair)

Dust your less heavily-trafficked furniture with a microfiber cloth

Wipe your door handles and light switches with a disinfecting or antibacterial cleaner

Clean your garbage cans

Occasionally:

Change your air filter (if you have AC or heating)

Dust your non-furniture items such as ceiling fans and blinds

Clean your windows

For when you don’t want your day to cause any problems.

You will need:

black tea for energy and strength to survive the day

honey to sweeten the challenges

lemon to neutralize any negativity

Brew the tea. Add other ingredients. Hold the mug in your hands and chant:

“The rising sun ends the night,

let this day be just as bright”

Hera sees your pain as the pain of Her own child. She is there to listen and offer counsel when you struggle.

Poseidon wants you to take deep breaths, and remember that even this tempest shall pass. He wipes your tears with a gentle hand.

Apollon knows that sometimes it is hard for you to understand His messages. He does not resent you for that, but He wants you to know that He sees you aiming high, and weeps with joy. He wants you to know that you are never alone in the darkness. He will always, always be there, patiently waiting for you to be ready to walk back towards the light. He kisses your forehead when you choose right, and your tears when you choose wrong. He sees that your mind is ill, but He is there to help you with it. If only you will take His hand.

Artemis understands that it is hard, so hard, to walk alone in the darkness. But She is there to hold your hand while you make your way through the wilderness. Even if no one else sees you, She does.

Demeter notices how much you have grown. She understands that sometimes, the seeds we sow do not yield a good harvest. And that’s okay. She sees your frustration, and She does not resent it. She also isn’t trying to deny you what is yours. This failure is merely a part of Her plan for you.

Dionysus wishes you wouldn’t deny yourself comfort. He despairs to see you inflict pain on yourself, because you deserve softness. In His eyes, you deserve good food, you deserve soft touch, and you deserve rest and relaxation.

Hestia knows that things are hard at home, sometimes or all the time. You have a home with Her and within yourself no matter what.

Athena sees that sometimes you don’t feel strong enough, or smart enough, and She wants you to know that that is okay. She is not disappointed with you, and sees that you are trying. You are good enough for Her, always.

Ares knows that sometimes it is hard to have courage, and He is at your side for the battle you are undertaking. A battle against oneself is arguably the hardest possible fight. He wants you to keep fighting, but He is also there to listen about it and tend to your wounds.

Aphrodite does not resent you for the insults you throw at yourself, but you must remember that She respectfully disagrees as to their accuracy. She thinks that your soul is beautiful, and hopes that one day you might see yourself as She sees you.

Hermes wants you to continue on your journey, but He does not resent that you may sometimes get lost or hit bumps in the road. Such is the nature of any great odyssey. He merely wants you to keep going, and would weep to see you give up before the end.

Hephaestus knows how they hurt you and He wants you to continue, even if they left you crippled.

Small acts of devotion.

Go hiking 

Learn self defense

Spend time in the forest

Go barefoot

Carry menstrual products in case someone needs one

Learn archery or how to use throwing knives

Go stargazing

Understand feminism 

Always help an animal in need

Keep an eye on anyone who seems to be uncomfortable with the person they’re with - discreetly offer support if needed

Make fashion choices that make you feel quietly confident

Cook over a campfire - or a wood burning stove

When drinking your morning cup of tea/coffee, step outside and enjoy the fresh air for a few moments

Dance

Wear oils and perfumes that smell of the forest

Be kind to kids - inspire them to follow their passions regardless of gender, ethnicity, etc. 

Learn more about constellations 

Boldly be whoever you are

Give money to any homeless people you pass

Plant native plants near your home

Work with the moon, follow it’s phases (use an app if needed)

Support aro/ace individuals 

Sleep under the stars

Buy more houseplants

Learn about the geography of the moon (Maria, Lunar highlands, etc.)

Watch wildlife/nature documentaries

Wake up at dawn

Go to pride

Learn bird language

Listen to instrumental music that inspires you

Keep basic first aid supplies with you

Donate to charities that help endangered species

Spend time in the mountains

PRACTICE LOVING YOURSELF

Say a prayer to her when you enter nature/ the woods

If you have pets, care for them as a devotional act

Talk to the moon, she will hear you

Defend those who cannot/struggle to defend themselves

Promote individuality

Wear clothes that you feel confident in

Volunteer at women’s or animal shelters

Dance around to your favorite songs (especially if it’s outside or under the moon)

Watch wildlife/nature/animal documentaries

Stick stars to your bedroom ceiling

Practice self care (DO YOUR SHADOW WORK)

Donate to those who are vulnerable

Create a devotional playlist to her

Go hiking

Veil

Learn to respect the animals around you

Research how to respectfully give offerings back to nature

Track constellations

Wear silver jewelry

Keep moonstone, Amethyst, tree/moss agate around you or wear them as jewelry

Write her poems/prayers

Do your meditations outside (especially under the moon)

Read poems/literature about “wild women”

Stuffed animals especially bears and deer. Trust me she loves them

Wear lavender/woodsy perfumes