Top Applications Helping Maintain Your Cleaning Dedication
I've been on a mission to declutter and organize my living space for a year now, sharing my findings, techniques, and tools. But there's one crucial factor I haven't touched upon - accountability. You may follow the advice of professional organizers, buy storage bins, and schedule your cleaning time meticulously, but having someone else keeping an eye on my progress has helped immensely.
Self-imposed accountability through friends
When I started my biggest decluttering project yet last year, I knew I needed a system of rewards and consequences to stay motivated. These are the steps I took:
- I asked my friends to send me funny memes and TikTok videos but demanded that they stop if I opened or responded to them before 10 pm, the time I designated as my nightly reward. With the promise of a collection of amusing content to look forward to, I had to earn it by completing my tasks first.
- Weekly, I invited a friend over to examine my progress. I'd dedicate myself to cleaning and decluttering all week, knowing I had someone coming over. Once they arrived, I'd handpick five items to donate to them. Many cleaning techniques involve categorizing items to donate, throw away, or keep, so this approach fulfilled the donation part while minimizing the tossing.
- For big days involving throwing things away, I'd inform a friend early on and ask them to check in throughout the day. The knowledge that someone would be expecting updates on my progress motivated me to reach my goal of filling the garbage bags.
These methods may sound silly, but they were effective for me. Accountability doesn't have to be harsh, and punishments don't have to be terrible. Your progress updates can be as simple as sending some photos or messaging your friends. And if you're not comfortable involving your friends, consider these alternative options.
Apps to help with accountability
While there are decluttering apps available, they don't provide the accountability aspect. But why not combine the benefits of apps and real people? Some apps pair you with an accountability partner in real time, encouraging you to work harder with the presence of a partner.
FocusMate
This app connects you with someone who's also working on something, allowing you to video chat, share what you're doing, and use the "body doubling" technique, which suggests people work harder when others are around. The free version allows you to pair with someone three times a week, while unlimited sessions cost $9.99 monthly.
Supporti
Similar to FocusMate, Supporti connects you with a long-term partner. You chat daily in the app to monitor each other's efforts, share progress, and give feedback to a partner with the same goals. You can stay together or find a new one if things don't work out. A monthly subscription of $15.99 or an annual subscription of $129.99 are the options.
Other accountability apps
Several apps aid in tracking your progress and maintaining a schedule, but they don't involve anyone else. Loop Habit Tracker, for instance, helps you monitor your progress and keep your cleaning routine. The free version supports up to seven habits, but if you have more habits, you'll need to pay $9.99 per month.
Lastly, there's Boss as a Service, which operates differently. It adopts the role of a demanding boss, requiring proof that you're making progress. If you don't provide satisfactory updates, you'll receive frequent notifications. If you prefer working under pressure, this app might be suitable for you and costs $25 per month, $60 per quarter, or $200 per year.
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Maintaining accountability while cleaning my home has been crucial in my decluttering journey. I often use home organization apps in conjunction with these real-time accountability partners, like FocusMate or Supporti, to ensure I stay motivated and focused on my cleaning goals.
