However, there are ways to overcome the roadblocks that keep us from turning our homes into the clean sanctuary we’ve dreamed of maintaining. It certainly helps to know ourselves and what holds us back before we can know how to solve the issue, but taking a look at your zodiac sign can give us some extra insight into what makes us tick. Below we’ve gathered the reasons the zodiac signs find themselves frustrated with cleaning and tidying up, and how each one can overcome those issues to get things in order.
Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
You don’t have an issue with doing chores, per se. Yet in your mind, there are more important things to be attended to first. It can be easy for you to let things slip in your mind if you’re focused on some other project or new idea, which is fairly often for you. The good news is that you’re an ingenuitive and creative person, and you love finding new ways to solve common issues. A great option would be to head over to the hardware section and grab items to help create some DIY organizational components to help keep your stuff out of the way. Not only will it give you a unique spin on your space, but will make keeping things clean and tidy seem less daunting.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
If there is any sign that prefers things to be a bit messy, it would be you, Pisces. You aren’t one to live in filth, but having things a little haphazard provides some comfort to you. You like things to remain a bit unstructured and free-flowing, and you aren’t one to stress about the small stuff. Yet when the moment comes when you clearly need to get things straightened up, or an unexpected guest pops by, it can cause you a ton of frustration to hurry up and get it all done. For you, it’s okay to leave your home a little messy, but try cleaning up small sections of your space at a time as you go. If you’re able to break things down, it won’t feel like you have to spend a whole day or two getting things redone, and you won’t feel embarrassed if people come over unexpectedly.
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
While actual chores themselves may not be difficult, you do tend to jump from one thing to the next because you’re bored. You may start off folding towels, then suddenly jump to vacuuming the hallway, then start on some dishes. Before you know it, nothing is ever thoroughly done, and you feel exhausted and frustrated. Your answer, Aries, is to give yourself a strong goal and a motivation to get it done. Try and get some friends to come over this weekend, and use that excitement as a motivation to push through all the mundane stuff and get everything in good shape.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
You have a system when it comes to cleaning, and you like your chores done a certain way. Yet, if the choice falls between sweeping the floor and snuggling up on the couch with a glass of wine, relaxing is going to win out. Cleaning feels like it’s taking away from your “me time” and will be something you put off until you just can’t anymore. It can be helpful to give yourself some small reward whenever you’ve accomplished several of the tasks that you know need to get done. Whether it’s taking a bubble bath or going to your favorite coffee place for your go-to latte, incentivizing your cleaning schedule can make the tasks seem like not such a drag.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
You have good intentions when it comes to cleaning—you really do. You’ll start your day by picking up some clutter on the floor, but then the phone rings, or you dust off your shelves and wipes down some countertops, and then you get an email from work. By the time your day ends, you feel as if you’ve accomplished nothing thanks to all the interruptions around you. A little trick that could make cleaning more streamlined for you is to put away as many distractions as possible. Turn your phone on silent and shut the laptop while completing your housework, and you’ll reach the bottom of your to-do list faster than ever.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
You know you have a bit of a messy streak, but you also have a pretty decent handle on it. You try to pick up after yourself and get the dishes done, but the more significant issue for you is that you have too much stuff. You have a hard time getting rid of anything, and your sentimental nature will cause you to hold onto items that represent a sweet memory. You could have a garage sale or donate some of the stuff you know isn’t really doing anything except taking up space. However, if you can’t bear the thought of getting rid of your stuff at the moment, your best bet would be to invest in some cute organizational options (think baskets and ottomans with storage). They’ll allow you keep the items you love—just out of sight and out of the way.
Leo (July 23 to August 22)
You have a reputation for being incredibly invested in your image and the way you present yourself. However, despite that your closet and your makeup counter might be immaculate, you aren’t as concerned with keeping the rest of your house in tip-top shape. You have much more of an interest in being out in the world and enjoying yourself with your friends, rather than staying stuck in the house mopping the floor, again. The best way for you to deal with this frustration is to work on changing your mindset to include your home in your “image”—if you can hold your accessories in high regard, you can change your perspective on your home. Find a new décor piece that you want to show off, or rearrange your space in a new, exciting way, and you’ll be sure to find that motivation to clean.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
Honestly, you don’t have much of an issue with keeping things tidy. You thrive on finding a place for everything, and yet you can be so detail-oriented at times that you become caught up in cleaning every single thing, making your workload unmanageable. This can put a strain on you whenever those three dishes are sitting in the sink or there is some clutter sitting on the table, and you feel you have so much more to do than you did before. A helpful tip for you is to make a list of what needs to be done, prioritizing the bigger items over the small to-do’s. If you can take care of the main items, you can save more specific chores for another day, rather than getting caught up in little details on a day-to-day basis.
Libra (September 23 to October 22)
You have an eye for beautiful things and a desire for harmony, but that doesn’t mean you always have your home in perfect shape. You only feel motivated to get things sparkling if you’re having people over, but when it’s just you, then there isn’t much to convince you to get those chores done. Given your love for aesthetics, you could benefit from investing in some cute cleaning supplies that would help take some of the boredom out of tidying up. You still have to clean, but at least you can look good while you’re doing it.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)
There are very few people who can compete with you when it comes to keeping your house in order. Your issue lies in thinking that your home isn’t clean enough. You’ll wipe off the counters, re-wash the dishes, and sweep the floor over and over, worrying that you didn’t do a thorough job. While others may have trouble starting their housework, the key to help you with your frustration is to take scheduled breaks from cleaning. Write down your list of things to be done and schedule regular, timed breaks in the midst of the tasks, so that you don’t get fixated on scrubbing the same counter all day. This can help you make sure you get things done without all the stress.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)
For you, house cleaning isn’t a top priority. You’re not a slob, exactly, but you’re also not stressing out if your shelves aren’t dusted or if the towels aren’t folded. You justify, “It’s just going to be messed up again later, so why bother?” A go-to fix for you, Sagittarius, is to blast a favorite, energizing playlist during a cleaning sesh. As long as it gets done, it doesn’t hurt to dance a little while dusting off those shelves and folding your laundry, right?
Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)
People tend to believe that organizing and cleaning are the same things, but they aren’t. You may have files for your paperwork and your bookshelves may be organized by author, but that doesn’t mean your place is spotless. Though you’d rather hire someone to do the work for you, making a schedule involving all the chores that need to get done and basic timelines for each chore could sincerely benefit you. If you have a schedule in front of you, you may feel more productive and efficient.