In Japan, ōsōji (big cleanup) is traditionally done at the end of each year, which allows households to renew and start fresh in the new year. A symbol for a new beginning. Commonly, four different words are used to talk about cleaning; ‘’ seiri (to organize, or discard items), seiton (to tidy, or arrange items for easy access), seisō (to clean, or physically dust, sweep and mop) and seiketsu (to maintain neatness) ‘’.
I’m truly inspired by the ōsōji and bring this philosophy forward in my own home. We break up the big cleanup into several different tasks and the whole family takes part. Rather than seeing them as chores, I like to think that everyone is contributing to better and healthier space to live in.