35 Unexpected Things That Make Life Better (And What They Teach Us About Cleaning)

Between work, family, and Chicago’s busy pace, keeping your home clean can feel like a constant battle. You’re not alone if you’ve ever looked around your space and wondered how it got messy again so quickly.

Finding Joy in the Everyday

Recently, I made a list of 35 things I’m grateful for – not the obvious stuff like family and health, but the weird, unique things that genuinely make life better. What surprised me was how many of these happiness boosters were connected to having an organized, clean home that gives me time for what matters.

The Magic of Less Stuff

I’m incredibly grateful for my decluttered home – not just because it looks nice, but because it means I have time for things I love. A clean your apartment is simply easier to maintain. When you’re not constantly battling clutter, you free up mental space and time for hobbies, relaxation, and connection.

When Technology Does the Work

My robot vacuum might be my favorite modern convenience. It automatically handles daily cleaning, which means less dust and more time. For busy Chicagoans, having fast cleaning services or tools that handle the work for you can be life-changing. The less time you spend cleaning, the more time you have for everything else.

Cleaning Tips From Unexpected Places

Multi-Purpose Solutions

I discovered foaming glass cleaner does more than just windows – it tackles soap scum and various surfaces with no streaks. Sometimes the best cleaning solutions are simpler than we think. When you need deep cleaning help, having the right tools makes all the difference.

Easy-Clean Appliances

My air fryer isn’t just for cooking – it’s incredibly easy to clean, which means my teens can cook without creating a huge mess. Choosing appliances and systems that are simple to maintain reduces the cleaning burden significantly.

Making Cleaning Effortless

Having systems in place – whether it’s a robot vacuum schedule or knowing when to call for professional home cleaning – transforms cleaning from a chore into something that happens automatically. As a leading Chicago cleaning company, we understand that your time is precious.

Simple Systems That Work

• Designate specific cleaning days so it becomes routine
• Keep cleaning supplies accessible in each room
• Do quick 10-minute tidy-ups throughout the day
• Consider cleaning services in Chicago for deeper cleaning needs

The Connection Between Clean Space and Mental Space

What I realized from my gratitude practice is that physical space directly impacts mental space. When my home is clean and organized, I feel calmer, more focused, and have more energy for the things I love. Sometimes you just need someone to clean my apartment to reset your space and your mindset.

Whether you handle cleaning yourself or use a home cleaning service, the goal is the same: creating a space that supports your lifestyle rather than complicating it. Ready to schedule a cleaning that gives you back your time?

There are 35 things that I’m so grateful for. And I’m not just talking about my incredible family, good health, blah blah blah. These are like weird or unique or things that just make me happy. And I can’t wait to share them with you. The first thing, I almost did not include this because I just told you in a video previously that I never buy this thing and then I did because a friend recommended it and lifechanging. All right. I have had adult acne my whole life since I was 13. I have had a breakout every single day of my life. A friend recommended this weird vibrating torture device spatula thingy and I was like, “It’s 30 bucks. What do I have to lose?” Let me tell you, I have not had a breakout since. It’s been almost 2 weeks. It could be coincidence or this could be the coolest gadget ever. I’m grateful for it because I can leave the house without makeup for the first time in my life and not be embarrassed. So, yeah, that leads me to the second thing that I use with this, which is like this Palmer’s cocoa oil. And it seems weird to add oil to oily face, but it’s really helping. And I don’t know. Okay, moving on. The third thing I’m grateful for is so weird, but it’s the fact that I can touch my toes. And I know what you’re thinking. Can’t everybody touch their toes? But I just found out that Joe can’t. And Abby, my daughter, she’s only 17. She also can’t touch her toes. Tight muscles. I guess it’s a small thing, but I’m like, huh, there’s something that isn’t falling apart on me. I’m still flexible enough to touch my toes, and I’m grateful for that. Can you touch your toes? Try right now and see. Without bending your knees, can you do it? Let me know in the comments below. The fourth thing is my like favoriteest thing of all time right now, and that is a video game called Fortnite. I know it’s ridiculous. I play on my iPad and I love it so much because not only is it super fun, but I play online with my son Milo, my daughter Abby, my two brothers who live really, really far away and I never get to see them. Joe joins us sometimes. It’s great because I get to visit and connect with loved ones while also playing a really fun game in my bed. So, everybody’s winning. And um I’m just I’m so grateful for Fortnite, which uh means I’m also really grateful for a decluttered home for lots of reasons, but mostly because it means I have time to play Fortnite every night. A decluttered home is less work. It just makes my life effortless so I can do other things with my time. This one is so weird, okay, but I am so grateful that my taste buds have changed recently. I have only ever loved sweet things like my whole life. I put pineapple on my pizza, but like a month ago, I started craving green peppers and onions and mushrooms. I tried it. This was always so disgusting to me now. Love it. Which is opening up a whole door. My taste buds have changed. I’m craving vegetables. Also, I just made pickled eggs because I thought to myself, maybe I like them. Hey, try something you always thought was gross. Maybe your taste buds have changed, too. >> So, pregnancy people have >> Yeah. Yes, it’s probably hormones. Oh my gosh, this would make so much sense. I’m going through menopause that hormones. I also craved pickles and weird stuff and so great. Okay, every single morning I’m grateful for my makeup mirror. And I didn’t even know I was grateful until I was doing this thing my therapist said where I had to every day find something I’m grateful for. And it was like always coming up again. Moving my makeup from the bathroom to my bedroom feels like luxury. I don’t have to fight with Joe for the bathroom. There’s so many wins here. An old desk, an old dresser, got a makeup mirror. You’re welcome. It’s awesome. >> You’re the biggest water stain on your shirt. >> Yeah, I got to tell them. Okay, listen. I was eating soup and I spilled it and I just wiped it with um So, this is soup stain. I could change, but I’m not going to. So, Eagle Eye, if you saw it, Yep. It’s soup. I uh bought a pair of Sketchers once. I don’t even know. We were on vacation. My feet were hurting cuz I was wearing stupid shoes. And I just got these dumb slip-on old person Sketchers where you don’t have to bend over. They are the greatest shoe that has ever existed. I have had them for years. Same shoes. I just slip them on. Boop. You could run in them. They will not fly off. Why isn’t every shoe this shoe? No tying. Just boop boop out the door. Boop boop boop boop yourself and get some. This is an ADHD thing. I know it is cuz I have ADHD friends who also have this where you just like love one food so hard and that’s all you want to eat until you absolutely hate that food. And right now it’s yogurt parfait. Some Greek yogurt, some fresh raspberries, some crunchy granola. It tastes like a sweet treat. It’s like candy, but also healthy and packed with protein. And right now, it is my latest food obsession. I’m also really grateful for tiny spoons, which I’m using to eat my yogurt parfait, but also imagine life without spoons. It is the perfect thing to serve you food, not just for soup. Spoons. I’m grateful for spoons. I also heard tiny spoons are an ADHD or neurode divergent thing that people just love really tiny spoons which makes me think about the next thing I’m grateful for which is my ADHD. It makes me kind of weird and odd and yes it comes with a host of challenges but also I’m excited about random everyday things every day. Like it could be something real dumb but I genuinely feel like so much excitement and hyperfocus. It’s nice to be that way. I’m not always optimistic. Sometimes I’m pessimistic, but I’m genuinely like geeked about something at least once a day. And I guess that leads me to the next thing, which is my ADHD mastermind group. So getting together once a month online with a group of people who all have ADHD, we’re just like, you know, struggling with the same stuff and we’re sharing wins. If you haven’t joined an online group for whatever it is you like, beekeeping, bird watching, book club, I totally recommend you create a little group of like-minded people because it’s amazeballs. My new slippers. I have never really been a slipper person, but the last few years I’ve had planter fasciitis. I don’t know what it’s called. So, like when you wake up in the morning and it feels like someone’s murdering your feet. I could wear house shoes, but no. So, then I started getting slippers. Where were you all my life? Slippers. I never take them off. Sometimes I go to the grocery store with them on and forget. I take out garbage. I go for walks. These are awesome. Yep. A a good pair of slippers will change your life. I’m really really grateful for my Alexexas right now. Yes, it’s great because they remind me of things and I always forget everything and so they’re great that way. But better than that, I’m listening to relaxation music like nature sounds all throughout the house through the Alexa. And it is, it’s calming, man. Makes me feel zen. And I’m just grateful. I’m grateful. I’m super grateful for firefighting. I became a volunteer firefighter, which, you know, it’s almost been 2 years. Can you even believe it? That’s nutso butso. I love it so much. I love it more than words can describe. I’ve not loved it any less. The pager goes off. Highlight of my day. It’s an adrenaline rush. Plus, I have all my friends and family. I feel like they are family at the fire hall. It’s just h volunteer, man. Volunteer. So freaking happy I did. Best decision ever. I’m actually really grateful for this plaid top. I have been a little bit I don’t want to say down, but like lazy lately. Showering is an ordeal. Getting dressed, big deal. Okay, so I sleep in this soup stained shirt and black tights all the time. I’m just like wearing this. But if I go out, I want to look put together. I want to cover the stains and look maybe like I’m not covered in dog and cat hair. So, I got this plaid coat. I don’t know how else to describe it. It has structure. It is warm. Never wrinkles. I wear it like four times a week. I’m embarrassed to say that, but I feel when I put it on, I feel like, okay, you’re not just wearing your PJs. You look like you have your life together. And everyone needs something that they can throw over top of their slobby clothes and feel pretty. also little lumberjack-esque. But you know what? I still love it. >> Buy one in every color, then you’re full lumberjack. >> I should buy one in every color because honestly, it’s so soft and it’s like long. It covers my butt. There’s so many so many so many reasons to love it. I’m really grateful for my dog. She’s the coolest dog that ever existed. She’s my best friend. She’s Milo’s best friend. She plays soccer, hockey, jumps on the trampoline. She’s just she’s my just I love her. I just love her. I’m so so so in love with my dog. I’m so grateful for chai juice. I don’t like the taste of coffee. I mean, I’ll drink it if I have to just to be woken up, but it’s it’s gross. That’s that’s adult drink. I need something delicious. Chai juice gives me the caffeine. It gives me the boost. It’s creamy. It’s delicious. I’m obsessed with it. And the glass. I’m also grateful for these cool glasses with the glass straw with the lid because I feel fancy when I drink my chai juice. It is the perfect vessel for all things liquid and it makes me happy. And drinking out of a regular glass now pales in comparison to this cool glass that I’m so grateful for. This next thing is actually brought to you by today’s video sponsor and I am crazy grateful for it. Like this is why I reached out to them and said, “I’m doing this thing that I’m so grateful for. Will you sponsor this video because I’m so grateful for you?” And that is Robo Rock Auto Vacuum. Like the robot vacuum. This is the third that I have in my house and I am completely addicted to them. I especially love the Robo Rock Q7 L5 Plus because it’s an entrylevel robot vacuum. It is so affordable and it’s perfect for homes with carpets, pets. It has 8000PA hyperforce suction power, dual anti-tangle technology, precise liar navigation, and it auto empties itself. So, it’ll go back and charge, empty the dust collection for daily cleaning. They also sent me the F-25GT, which is so awesome. It is designed for efficient everyday home cleaning, and it has features like 180 flat reach cleaning, tangle-free, streak free roller, and it vacuums and mops in one. And right now, you can save big bucks because Robo Rock is having so many Black Friday sales with incredible discounts. So, you can go to either Amazon. I’ll put a link to Amazon Canada and the US or go to the official Robbo Rock store. This is your chance to never have to vacuum or mop again. Like, honestly, it takes care of cleaning my house for me, which means less dust, too. And it does it all automatically every single day. Treat yourself, friends. You’ll be grateful. That kind of leads me to the next thing that I’m really grateful for, which is having a job where I get to try out a bunch of things. Not only gadgets and cool tools, but hacks and different systems and find the things that work and make life easier so that I can share it with you. This job has literally saved me so much time and effort just learning new things and I get to share those things every day, which means I’m also grateful for my Clutterbug team. We have like a bunch of people now. We’re up to five employees. Hold the phone. I’m grateful for every single one of them. They just make my life so much easier. They’re taking care of things so I can go do other weird things like squirrel boxes and firefighting and beekeeping, but still provide really cool things to help you as a community. So, I’m grateful for them. This is going to seem kind of weird, but I’m actually really grateful for foaming glass cleaner. I know. Listen, I hate streaks on mirrors, but also I’m lazy. I just like having one product that will kill all the goo. Whether it’s soap scum or whatever you just you throw on some glass cleaner. It’s like Windex, you know, but better. You put that on everything. I’m grateful for it. I was really trying to think to get to 35. Then it dawned on me. I’m so grateful for my air fryer. Not that I use my air fryer, but my three teens, they’ll cook themselves gourmet meals in that thing. It’s really easy to clean and I don’t have to prepare as many meals. They’re rocking that thing. I feel like one day in the future, my kids aren’t going to have ovens or microwaves, just kitchens filled with air fryers. I love my wet hair brush. It’s not a brand or anything. I don’t know. I got it from Shoppers Drug Mart. You can get them on Amazon, too. It’s like a special brush made for people with nasty hair. I don’t know what else to say. Like, my hair isn’t naturally straight. It’s not quite curly. It’s somewhere in between. And every time it gets wet, or even if I just sleep, it’s so tangled. It was a battle to brush my hair. But now it’s like Anyways, I don’t know what it’s called. But if you have curly hair or almost curly hair, a wet hairbrush just it’s a game changer. I’m so grateful that I finally found my tribe. I found a group of friends who are uber nerds, but they also like just like me without me having to mask. And we play katan together. I found other people who love Sellers of Katan as much as I do. and I’m so grateful for them. It’s like a bunch of us weirdos just being weird and no judgment. I hope you have found your tribe. And if you haven’t and you always kind of feel like you haven’t found that person you click with, keep looking, my friends, because they’re out there. Let’s rapid fire some. I’m grateful for my family doctor. He’s awesome. I just love my doctor. There. I love him. He’s awesome. Grateful for fall. Best time of the year. Don’t got to put on shorts. Not that I would ever wear shorts. Why do I love fall? Stop it. I’m grateful for fall. I’m looking outside of the window right now. The colors, coolness of the air, the crispness, apple picking. I’m allergic to apples. It doesn’t matter. Everything about fall is glorious. Also, you get to just cover up with warm cozy blankets and sweaters and light candles. What is not to love? Which leads me to the other thing I’m grateful for, which is the fact that we have four seasons. Yes, I curse the hot summers and the cold winters, but I’m also so glad we have it. Every day is a little different. You never know what it’s going to be like outside. I mean, it must be nice to live in California where every day is sunny and 75. But doesn’t it get boring? I want to be freezing my butt off every now and then. Do I though? But I do. Do I? I do. You got to have the crappy weather to appreciate the good weather. I’m a bath lover and I am so grateful for my big giant bathtub. Emily says that baths are gross because you’re just marinating in your own filth. I disagree. I think it is the greatest form of self-care. I lay in my bathtub. I watch a movie. I play Fortnite. It’s weird that I’m playing Fortnite with my brothers online while naked in the bathtub. It doesn’t matter. They don’t know. Greatest greatest thing ever. Bathtubs. >> People are going to agree with me in the comments. >> Are you just marinating in your own filth? I have a bath every night before bed. We have a hot tub, but the problem with the hot tub is it’s an ordeal cuz you have to put on a bathing suit and then you’re wet. Bathtubs are naked. If I could go naked in my hot tub, I would probably like the hot tub, but it’s all the way outside and then I have children and it would traumatize them. You know what I’m saying? So, I just don’t dry shampoo. I don’t know who invented dry shampoo. I think it’s just corn starch that’s been like airrated or something, but I am greasy. Okay. I am a slimy slimy person and I have to wash my hair every single day or I could fry bacon on it. And so dry shampoo means I can have a bath but not wash my hair. Sometimes I can go two whole days. Hold the phone. If you are a person who also has greasy greasy hair, you know how life-changing that can be. I’ve said life-changing a lot. Maybe life-changing isn’t the word. If you are a person who has greasy, greasy, greasy hair, you know the power of dry shampoo. I’m grateful for grocery schedules. So, I don’t have to like go to the grocery store and like talk to people and see things and move. I can just sit in my car and the groceries come to me. That is super nice. Also really grateful for Canva because it just makes my entire business so much easier. I would take a bullet for Canva. I would jump in front of a bus for Canva. I could not do my job without Canva. If Canva came to me and said, “Gosh, you must pay all your money to continue using.” I’d be like, “Sorry, Canva. I guess I have to. I have no choice.” Maybe I shouldn’t say that. Don’t watch that, Canva. Don’t hold me hostage. But also, take my money. Also, Canva, sponsor us. Canva, call me. Super grateful for my vision board. Vision board is something I did years ago. I literally just printed off pictures on the internet of cool things that I hope to do one day. And then, like magic, those things started happening. And not only is that part awesome and magical, but also I look at my vision board every day and it reminds me of the things I have accomplished. It’s a sense of pride and also focusing and goals and just all goodness. Make a vision board. And last but not least, I am so grateful for you. You watch this whole video. You’re a freaking trooper. But I’m grateful for you because because of you, because you take the time to watch, we at Clutterbug have jobs. You you watching this video is the reason that we can support our families. It is the reason that all of this exists. I just I probably don’t tell you enough. I definitely don’t tell you enough how grateful I am to you for taking the time to hang out with me, watching some weirdness, and just showing your support. So, I love you. You’re amazing. And thank you. I really wanted to do this video because, yeah, it’s Thanksgiving coming up, but also every single therapist I’ve had, and I’ve had a lot because I’m always like, “Me, I don’t like what you’re saying.” And I go to the next one and they say the same thing. All of them have said that gratitude journaling is like going to solve the majority of my problems. Like anytime I’m feeling negative or sorry for myself, the answer is always write things you’re grateful for and they’re right. Just taking time to acknowledge small things like spoons, touching your toes, your hairbrush, and really like saying like, “Yeah, that makes my life better. I’m so happy for that.” It rewires your brain so you are a happier, more positive, just it just makes every aspect of life better. So, what are you grateful for? Let me know in the comments below. Not only will you be helping me and I’ll be like inspired, but other people reading that hopefully will start appreciating those things in their life, too. Let’s spread some gratitude around. Happy Thanksgiving, my neighbors to the south in the US, and I’ll see you guys next time. Thank you guys so much for those of you who have stayed to the end. So, I’m all like, I’m happy and grateful and look at all the ways that I’m a cheery person. Here’s the reality, okay? Uh I’m actually a terrible human being and a nightmare for a wife. I have insomnia. And I know it’s because of menopause, but I do this thing where if I’m suffering, Joe must also suffer. Do you know what’s worse than still being awake at 3:30 in the morning knowing you have to get up at 7 and work all day and and like the panic and the dread that comes with You know what’s worse? Looking over at your sweet husband, dozing like an angel, getting a good solid eight hours. So what do I do? I just poke him every 20 minutes or so just so he wakes up too. Like not that he knows. Just some Wait, Joe. Look out. And then he’s like, “What?” And I’m like, “Oh, shh. Go back.” Does that make me a bad person? Yes, it does. This morning I woke up, had to drive our daughter to school because she missed the bus. I was so tired. I’m like right now rocking like maybe 3 hours sleep walking out the door. Just gave him like a just gave him a shot while he was sleep. Just like a little, you know, just like a just because if I have to suffer, you have to suffer Joe. And that makes me a terrible person. And I realize that. And which I mean, I’m grateful for Joe because he would never do that to me. He is a better person than I am. I don’t know why I’m like this. I’m so petty. When I’m having a bad day, I want someone else to share in my misery. Let me know in the comments below if you are also like this. Where is this coming from? Why can’t I just be kind? That’s all. I’ll see you guys next time.