Not a day without cleaning: commendable neatness or a psychological problem?

Life is so arranged that it is impossible to do without cleaning! Drink coffee - you need to wash the cup, put on a T-shirt - it needs washing. Of course, there are individuals who are able to pour compote into a mug with the remains of kefir, and then brew tea in the same dirty mug. But even such “don’t care” people sometimes have to clean up.

Everyone cleans up trash in their home, but not everyone does it the same way. For some, this is a superficial removal of dust and dirt, for others, it is the desire to bring everything to the sterility of the operating room. How should you approach putting things in order? Let's figure it out together.

“Clean” - praise for the hostess?

In our country, when they want to praise the hostess, they say “she cooks deliciously”, “she is hospitable”, “she is neat”. These are really good compliments. But who knows what kind of work and what kind of sacrifices are behind the desire to always “conform”?

Important! If cleaning is perceived as an easy task, then everything is fine. But if it becomes the meaning of life, if all free time is devoted only to it, then there is reason to think.

Test yourself!

What is the first thing you should think about? Psychologists suggest giving an honest answer to a few simple questions:

• Why do you need to constantly wash something?
• Who is cleanliness for?

It's ok if you have a question "Why" you answer something like this:

• household members are allergic to house dust;
• relatives and strangers come into the house without warning;
• I can't stand clutter.

There are no concerns about the answers to the question “for whom»:

• for yourself, husband, parents;
• I want to be an example for children;
• I don’t want to look like a slob in front of strangers.

Important! If you chose the last answer twice, you are close to a “purity neurosis.” It's time to reconsider your attitude to order!

That constant cleaning has become a psychological problem, signal the following responses:

• "Don't know";
• “that’s how it’s supposed to be”;
• “On Saturdays, general cleaning must be carried out.”

Important! The schedule itself is a great disciplinary thing. But is it necessary to sacrifice family vacations for the sake of maintaining tradition? It is unlikely that anyone will appreciate such a sacrifice.

When order becomes an obsession

How do you understand that order has turned into idefix? The signs are simple:

• the housewife moves around the house with a cloth in her hands;
• it cannot be taken by surprise;
• She has everything laid out on shelves, nothing is lying around anywhere, even the mugs in the closet are with handles in one direction!

From the outside it may even seem that no one lives in the house. Is it good or bad?

Excessive desire for cleanliness becomes a neurosis

“It’s good” if family members support the desire for cleanliness and are actively involved in the cleaning process. It’s “bad” if family members have to look for a “fifth corner” to go about their business.

Advice! Try to hear yourself “from the outside”: “don’t sit on the sofa - remember; Don’t walk on the carpet - you’ll get it dirty!” If this sounds like this all the time, congratulate yourself on your purity neurosis.

Are there other symptoms of a neurotic condition associated with maintaining order? Yes, I have.

Neurosis is indicated by:

• inability to stop the process of restoring order;
• the desire to clean the home until it shines before the husband and children get up in the morning;
• endless hand washing;
• worry that there is an undetected speck somewhere;
• disgust towards someone else's premises;
• the desire to shine outside your own home.

Important! Neurosis is a serious problem, misunderstanding of which “results” in various forms, sometimes into a manic desire for purity.

Who is at risk from purity neurosis?

Important! Experts believe that “at all costs” those who are unable to “put in order” their own thoughts struggle with non-existent dirt.

They need physical activity, because it provides at least temporary emotional relief.

Who is most susceptible to neurosis?? It usually occurs in people belonging to one of these groups:

• People, grew up in a dysfunctional family. They are trying to piece together life like a mosaic from shapeless debris. Purity in this case is the illusion of control over life.
• Those, who has experienced betrayal or deception. The inability to express negative emotions leads to the removal of mythical impurities.
• Victims of violence. They not only clean around themselves, but also try to wash away imaginary dirt from themselves, sometimes rubbing their skin until it bleeds.
• Avid collectorswho are usually pedants.

Another manifestation of the disorder occurs: everything around seems dirty and contagious. People are afraid of infection through touch. For them, the handle of the office door is a breeding ground for pathogens.They can barely contain their disgust when they have to hand over something, take papers or documents from someone.

Feelings familiar? So, you should take care of yourself!

Cleanliness is important, but not above all!

Love of order is a commendable quality. But In the pursuit of accuracy, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise life will turn into a struggle with virtual dirt.

It is important not to miss the moment when it is time to say “stop” to yourself, so that there is no risk of losing peace, friends, sacrificing rest and entertainment. In addition, living in the same space with a clean person can cause trouble for others. Relatives feel anxious about what they will “inherit” somewhere. Children are generally sure that any game they play is a disaster for their mother.

How to get rid of addiction before cleaning

Have you found yourself at risk? Don't wait for neurosis!

• Can go to a psychologist. He will play out several situations in which he needs to make a choice between order and salvation, for example, in an extreme situation.
• Turn to wise thoughts. For example, to these: “Everything passes, and this will pass.”
• Look at life as a game in which all actions are regulated.

Advice! If an hour and a half a day is allotted for cleaning, then after the agreed time has passed, all cleaning equipment should be postponed until tomorrow.

It is advisable to remember that Every order must sometimes be broken. Otherwise there will be nothing to clean! And further: What society values ​​most is not clean rooms, but pure thoughts.