April 14th 2024.
Are you one of the many who have been mesmerized by the popular TikTok trend of Sunday Reset videos? If so, you're not alone. These satisfying and methodical cleaning routines have taken over our 'for you' pages and have even made some influencers internet famous. But for me, they do more than just inspire me to clean my own flat occasionally. They bring a sense of relaxation and wholesomeness, similar to the feeling of watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow. And let's be honest, sometimes we just like peeking into other people's homes.
27-year-old digital editor Emilie Hill agrees that these videos have a soothing effect on her and even help her feel more at peace. "Watching someone else organize their fridge or color code their wardrobe just motivates me to do my own and makes me feel calm," she says. And for those who have recently relocated, like Emilie, these videos have been a massive help in creating a sense of routine and order in a new environment.
But the benefits of cleaning on our mental health have been studied extensively. A 2017 report found a significant link between procrastination and clutter, with older adults viewing clutter as a source of dissatisfaction in life. And for women, in particular, clutter and lack of order can negatively impact their mental health. While these studies focus on one's own space, the same principles apply when observing others' cleaning routines through a screen.
Social scientist Nina Francis-Young explains that these Sunday Reset videos provide a ritual for many to lean into, creating a sense of calm and order not just in our physical world, but in our minds as well. And for 27-year-old social media expert Mared Parry, these videos have an unexplainable allure. "I don't know what it is about them, but I will never not stop scrolling when one pops up on my feed," she says. "It's not like I'm ever motivated to do it myself, I just like watching other people who have their lives together."
But these videos aren't just about sharing cleaning tips and hacks, they also project a certain aesthetic and lifestyle that many aspire to. And while there are all types of influencers sharing their Sunday Reset videos, the more popular ones tend to have immaculately dressed and beautifully decorated homes, complete with expensive cleaning equipment. And for those who also restock their cupboards in their videos, it can seem like they live a life of abundance with their Whole Foods groceries and endless cans of Diet Coke and Fiji Water.
But as someone who grew up with a cleaner for a mother and did the job myself for years, I struggle with this aspect of the trend. The reality of cleaning for a living is far from the glamorous and easy breezy way it is portrayed in these videos. I remember the calluses on my hands from lugging heavy equipment up multiple flights of stairs and scrubbing baked-in grime on my hands and knees. It was not a job for the faint of heart and certainly not one where I would wear my best clothes.
And while these videos have changed the perception of cleaning and made it seem like a simple and enjoyable task, it hasn't necessarily shifted the perception of cleaners in general. As my mother, who is a cleaner, says, there are still people who purposely make a mess because they believe it's the cleaner's job to clean it up. And while there may be a difference between cleaning for clients and cleaning for oneself, my mother believes that both have their rewards, but there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of sitting on a clean sofa with a cup of tea after a job well done.
But perhaps, as social scientist Nina notes, this trend has the power to create change and shift societal views on blue-collar jobs and those who do them. And if these videos can provide benefits to those who watch them and potentially change how others perceive this type of work, then that can only be a positive thing.
However, like any social media trend, it's essential to strike a balance and not let it affect our self-perception or internalize certain messaging. But overall, the calming nature of these videos has helped many and may even have the potential to bring about broader societal change. So, whether they inspire you to clean your own flat or simply bring a sense of relaxation, there's no denying the impact of Sunday Reset videos on our lives.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
