Have you ever gone to a party not feeling very festive and then had a great time? Or not wanting to go or feeling down, then after being there, feeling good or even great? Or have you done something at first feeling negative, then afterwards thinking, “That wasn’t so bad.” You can change your mood. You can do something without having good feelings, you just do it. You can even do something while having a bad mood or not feeling well.

Research has shown that clutterers and hoarders commonly think that they have to feel like cleaning up to do it. If you are a clutterer, you may think you have to be in a good mood, feel physically up to it, or have wonderful, joyful energy that just wants to clean up!

Well, there are other ways. You can work with your mood. Here are some of the ways you can do it.

You can change your mood.

You may have heard about the research that shows if you smile, it will take less muscles than frowning and can also pick up your mood. Or watch a funny show or movie. You can also put on music that gives you good feelings, whether it be happy and upbeat music or soft and mellow. I’ve known people to listen to classical, reggae, salsa, romantic or new age. Put on whatever music feels good to you.

You can do it with a neutral mood.

Just go through the paces of cleaning up and organizing in whatever speed you want. One way to do this is to clean whatever you want at the moment, just anything that moves you in the right direction. Clean up whatever keeps you in a neutral mood. Even clean up or organize one thing. That is still an accomplishment. Be like the serene Buddha!

You can clean up in a bad mood.

Who says you have to feel good to clean up? Some of the best cleaning I’ve done is when I’m angry. Even depressed, I just move at whatever speed I want and I get work done. I don’t recommend you encourage yourself to feel the negative feelings, but go ahead and use them if that’s what you are feeling! You may find you feel better after taking the actions of cleaning up and organizing.

Remember, even if you clean up or organize just one item, it is better than without that!