Dara Oluwatoye
Before COVID-19 broke down our doors, I struggled with finding a balance between my corporate and personal life.
As a young professional finding her feet, I was thrust into a new world. Everything was new to me, and so many things in my life took the backseat – especially cleaning my room. I was not dirty, but I was not as enthusiastic about taking care of my home.
Lockdown Palaver
Cleaning helped me a lot during the lockdown. I found out that scrubbing every inch of my room was therapeutic, and it was unbelievable how keeping my mind and hands busy worked wonders on my mental health.
COVID + Delta Variant + Monkeypox
Now that I have resumed physically at my workplace, it feels like the world I carefully crafted is slowly crumbling around me. I just got vaccinated, and suddenly, there’s a new COVID-19 variant in town. As if that’s not enough, there is also Monkeypox!
Monkeypox is highly contagious, with a 10% mortality rate. It presents the same rash and fever-like symptoms as smallpox, chickenpox, and measles. According to a report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in July 2021, there have been 69 suspected cases, with 17 confirmed in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Lagos this year. I hope we can contain the spread — we really need to.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 Delta Variant is reported to be present in 100 countries! In Nigeria, 32 Delta Variant cases of Coronavirus have been reported in five states across the country, and this comes after a nearly four-month slump in the number of confirmed cases. On Thursday, August 4, 2021, the country recorded the highest live count of 747 confirmed cases since the slump.
Like the rest of the world, professionals and job seekers were badly hit during the first lockdown, increasing unemployment and inflation rates. Even as we adjust to this new reality, there are no signs of improvement or recovery from the aftermath. Another subset of the people affected by the sudden economic crisis is young people who are just beginning their lives and finding stability in their careers. Tragically, many young people are spending their formative years trying not to die from one disease or another.
However, it is worthy to note that the precautionary measures for both diseases are similar, so there is nothing starkly new to add to your daily routine. For me, as long as I continue to take the same precautionary measures, use my trusty Dettol hand sanitiser, I will try to find my solace in coming home to a clean house.
For me, a clean house is Nirvana.
A clean house makes me relaxed, and being relaxed makes me more productive. For any young professional who wants to remain sane, it’s best to live in a clean, decluttered space (well, except you thrive in chaos. Then please, ignore). It is also important to find ways to combine a demanding career with housekeeping.
One important habit I have picked up is to not let things pile up. As soon as the kitchen surface gets stained, I clean it. When I notice dust on the windows or my fan, I clean it immediately. I realized that cleaning becomes more stressful when I pile up these little things until the weekend, and since I don’t find it enjoyable, I procrastinate.
On some weekends, I am required to work or get busy with other things, so I automatically reschedule all cleaning activities to the next convenient time. When this happens, I only do the occasional dusting and light sweeping whenever I get the chance. I know this is unhealthy, but the pressure is real!
What could help you?
If you have a busy schedule like mine, consider outsourcing your cleaning. This will cost you a small fee every month or fortnightly to get someone to do the cleaning for you.
Creating a cleaning schedule is also a habit worth imbibing. Saturdays are for cleaning, Sundays for washing, and I clean the toilet and bathroom every other day. I hardly miss out on my cleaning activities with this routine in place except when something unforeseen comes up.
When you do cleaning – chores more routinely and put your favourite music on full blast, the process may be more exciting. And if you have the right cleaning agents like Dettol Antiseptic Liquid and antibacterial hand sanitisers, the entire process becomes easier.
With all these tips mentioned, you have to find which works for you and start managing your demanding career without compromising your cleaning routine.
Stay Safe!
Adejoke Folayan is a writer living in Lagos, Nigeria.
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