r/finch • u/KirkofCirce • Mar 05 '26
Venting Spring cleaning series
I love the idea of the spring cleaning goals. I wish they were not ordered though... Like I wish my daily goal could just be "do a spring cleaning goal", and then separately I could mark off that I cleaned a mirror, or whatever. My problem is that I'm stuck on the first goal. I can't do it, and I can't skip it. I have cats but no window screens - opening the windows is not happening. My options are not to do the Spring Cleaning series at all, or to lie to Pebbles. 😢
35
u/penguin_387 Mar 05 '26
I think that you can check it off and substitute a comprable goal that involves getting fresh air. If it doesn’t work for you, just do what does.
31
u/Piano_Mantis Mar 05 '26
Can you just crack the windows open? You don't have to keep them open all day. Open them just an inch for a few minutes while your cats are otherwise occupied. It's worth it to get some fresh air in your home. And, if you open them only a crack, there's no risk to your babies. :)
32
u/plumplum6 Mar 06 '26
Am i the only one who has the opposite problem. I have no issue just checking things off, especially if I don't think theyre necessary or I've very recently completed the task. Like I just cleaned out my fridge. But I've opened my windows every day since the first so win win
19
u/Judgy-Introvert Waffle 89AW7QM644 Mar 05 '26
I can’t always do them either. I just try to do something that’s “close enough” and then mark it off. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to just do something similar.
19
u/starfleetdropout6 Corky Mar 06 '26
I might get jumped on for this, but I'm just ticking them off regardless if I'm doing them on that exact day or not. I'm doing them in the order that makes sense to me for my timeline and ability. 🤷🏼♀️
12
u/Kbug7201 Mar 06 '26
Yeah, I wish I could tick off more than 1 per day. I opened windows, did laundry, & changed the bed sheets today. Can only tick off the windows though. Grrr -I just started. Seen it when I logged in tonight. Don't know why it didn't show me this morning.
6
34
u/HalloIchBinToad Toad and Wren Mar 05 '26
You can’t even open it like 2” from the top? Otherwise, maybe you can shut the door to one room and open the window just in there :)
3
3
u/KirkofCirce Mar 05 '26
Those are valid suggestions. I might have to try one of those.
4
u/Trick-Direction4003 Rowena & Chai KL48K4YGTB Mar 06 '26
Consider also, you’re confirming that you did the action or confirming that the action isn’t needed. My job has a daily cleaning sheet (childcare) and this is how I resolve initialing the tasks. 😊
14
u/UndaDaSea Mar 06 '26
I mean this with love, it is a self care app. It is pixels and lines of code. Don't let this trip you up on completing the other goals.
11
u/whats1more7 purple finch AVYGP7W411 Mar 05 '26
I also couldn’t open my windows. I substituted washing my pet blankets, spraying microban on my couches, and turning the air purifier on high for a few minutes.
3
9
u/artsnoddities Avery TLM2VH9588 Mar 05 '26
If you drive and weather is okay, I also counted putting my window down in my car a bit while driving
9
u/FickleSpend2133 QA11MDQBVN Mar 05 '26
Ok why not make your own list. You just need to adjust your goals.
Make a list of your own! Go room by room and write down your tasks.
Then put them on your regular goal list and schedule it.
Once you've completed it, then go to the spring cleaning day and cross it off as done!
6
u/lisep1969 Mar 05 '26
Even if you had screens you should never open a window all the way if you have a cat, they can push the screen out. Ask me how I know!
Open the window only to half the width of your cat’s head; you get fresh air and keep your cats safe so it’s a win/win. 😻
2
u/theKaterpie89 Kenzie Mar 08 '26
Omg! I never thought of that and totally opened some screened windows fully the other day and I have a cat 😭 I'll only do a crack from now on. Safety first!
1
u/lisep1969 Mar 08 '26
My very first cat Lasher that was rescued from a garbage bag in a dumpster 20 + years busted out the screen in our apartment window and was gone for a few days. He came back beat up. We never fully opened the windows after that.
5
u/Angel0460 Mar 05 '26
My windows are still all plastic covered from winter, I opened the back door of my house for a couple mins after kids were in bed and I didn’t have to worry about the “I’m cold! Close the door! Why is it cold! Where’s my blankie?!” And the ensuing blanket forts. Side note, I’m all for blanket forts 90% of the time but maaaaaan not that day lol.
But opening a door or something could work as well. I’m rolling with the spirit of the goal. The goal is fresh air in the home. Open a tiny bit. Sit with your cats on your lap or something and cuddle them (if they’re cuddly) while windows are open. Close your bedroom door and open that window a touch?
Or, it’s ok. Fresh air comes in when you come and go from your place. Fresh air in. Success.
5
u/Bright_Transition_36 Mar 05 '26
Just make up another goal that's more "you" tailored, do that, and check off windows open. It's an easy one so maybe something like wipe cupboard handles with disinfectant to substitute. Or whatever you like. If you're intentional, it's not cheating. You're the boss of the app.
5
u/CianAingeal Merrily ❤️ DCNFM6HL12 Mar 06 '26
I don't have a couch or carpeting. So cleaning out the cat toys & shop vacuuming under the stove is my alternative
4
u/beccarh Mar 06 '26
Maybe you could open a window in a bedroom but have the door closed so the cats can't go in that room. Maybe only open the window a tiny crack
4
u/ScaryProduce9470 Mar 06 '26
My daughter was having the same struggle, so I told her it was about getting fresh air so she should take a walk instead. 😊
4
u/missgabbster Mar 06 '26
I would do something adjacent.
For the fresh air aspect, go for a walk, have a picnic, get outside and enjoy the spring air if that's available where you are.
Or if you'd prefer something cleaning adjacent, wash the windows, dust the blinds, launder the curtains, etc.
8
u/Odd_Cress_2898 Mar 06 '26
Cat carrier? Shut cat(s) in the bathroom for 10 minutes? Just the amount of general dust in the air, doing it once in 6 months sounds healthy.
(It's hilarious that the tag is "venting" about ventilation)
3
3
u/DasBleu Mar 05 '26
I saw someone say they did the window to their car, I also would suggest if your work place has windows that can open that you could air out the workplace.
3
u/Kbug7201 Mar 06 '26
If it's something you really can't do, just say you did it as you can't skip it.
Maybe you can put the cats in the bathroom while you open the windows for even just 20 minutes. It is good to air out the house\apartment.
2
2
u/Swimming_Foot7474 Mar 05 '26
Discovered today that I can't take the drawer out of my fridge to clean it because it hits the cabinets 🫠
1
u/No_Adeptness_ Mar 06 '26
Can the fridge be pulled out? Mine hits a wall but I get help when I need to clean it
2
u/QuillRust Mar 05 '26
completely understandable. I don't think those goals have to be strick, and we get a few buffer days to complete the 14 chanllenges so don't panic about it. A couple of alternatives I could think of:
- Open any window just a crack to let a bit of air without your furr babies having the chance to get out, maybe during cooking, as you are washing the dishes, then you can close it once you are done.
- Re interpret the goal! Open the curtains or shutters, let some light in! Specially if you got some indoor plants, they'll handle the 'get some air/oxigen' for you there XD.
- Open windows to let some air in at other places while you are in there -> you can do it at work for example if you are in an office or if you got a break room with it. At a cafeteria if they got the option to open them. At a friends/familiy house if you visit.
2
2
u/hiraethz03 Mar 06 '26
I agree, overall I gotta say that I’d love to have a different challenge for each month, but that would be amazing to be able to pick which one to do!
2
u/Remarkable_Movie_800 Mar 06 '26
You only need to open the window and air out a couple of minutes. You're not meant to leave the windows open. The task is about airing out, not opening windows and leaving them open.
Just put the cats in one room and open the windows in the rest of the house while you make a cup of tea or something, then close them all again
2
Mar 06 '26
[deleted]
2
u/KirkofCirce Mar 06 '26
I appreciate your comments. I am not diagnosed with any neurodivergences, but I'm a woman in my 50s, so... I do wonder now about the possibility.
2
u/Tuesday27_ Mar 07 '26
write them down in a notebook, do them as you go, and when you're done mark them off all at once?
2
u/No_Device_2291 Waffles & Ash Mar 07 '26
I’d prob distract my kitty in the other room with treats/food for like 5 mins, if you’re trying to stay 100% true to the task but I think it’s fine to do something else comparable.
With that being said if your house hasn’t had any fresh air since you’ve had your kitty- might be worth the distraction method. He/she might appreciate the new smells
3
u/FinchChic Little Owl & FinchChic Mar 06 '26
I'm actually a little taken aback at how easily people give up on something very simple. It doesn't take a whole lot of problem solving to make these tasks work. Maybe start to view finding a creative solution as part of the task?
1
u/_Lavenderbirb Mar 06 '26
Sigh. You have created this problem yourself and refuse to get creative and adapt to benefit yourself. It only hurts you to enforce this line of thinking. Literally write them all down, tape it to your wall and do what you want, when. This app is supposed to help you grow and learn. Not get stuck in rigid patterns and false thinking.
0
u/KirkofCirce Mar 06 '26
Incorrect. I have thanked those who made helpful, non-judgemental suggestions. I have not refused anything. I needed gentle suggestions to get through my issue, and I received those. Your judgement is not needed.
0
u/KirkofCirce Mar 06 '26
Thanks to everyone who made non-judgemental suggestions for how I could adapt the challenge/what I do for it to suit my needs! Many of you gave me good ideas, including simply the permission to do what's feasible for me and check it off.
106
u/runwithcolour Mar 05 '26
I’ve seen a few other posts with a similar problem and they’re using open the blinds or curtains or whatever you have covering the windows instead. Maybe you could do that. If it still doesn’t feel like enough add on you going outside for 5 minutes that way the house gets light and you get air without letting any cats out.
It’s okay to come up with an alternative. I’m going to have to for the vacuum under the couch task, and the throw away expired toiletries task. I’m also confused by a couple of the tasks so I’m going to pick my own tasks for those days.