Okay, but what if all that empty space just makes a room feel cold and lonely? I get that cleaning helps some people, but a bit of clutter can make a place feel lived in and cozy. Like, my counter has my favorite mug and some mail, and it reminds me of my daily life. When everything is perfectly clear, it sort of loses personality, you know? It might look nice in pictures, but actually living there feels less homey. I guess for me, a totally clean table feels weird, like I'm not allowed to use it.

Last summer, I made sauerkraut with just cabbage and salt in a big glass jar. I mean, I just pressed it down with my hands and left it on the counter for a week, and it was perfect. Maybe it's just me but keeping it simple really takes the pressure off.