An important part of the community is living
in and around other people. Keeping your home and neighborhood tidy helps
people feel a sense of comfort. It starts with you leading by example. People
will notice, and it might make them change too. None of the examples in this
article cost a lot of money, but they do take a little bit of time.
Keeping your front yard clear and tidy is an easy way to lead by example.
Plants and shrubs are cheap and go a long way at making your yard look neat.
Most cities make you take care of the sidewalks around your house. In the
summer this means keeping weeds cleared away. In the winter this means to keep
snow cleared away as soon as possible. A tidy and stain free driveway also
looks good.
Seasonal jobs around the house can be important too. In the summer, keeping
your lawn mowed and the weeds in control goes a long way. Fall time means
raking leaves. In the winter safety comes into play. It is very important to
clear snow from sidewalks and driveways as soon as you are able. People can
slip and fall. Springtime doesn’t need much, but you will want to make sure mud
and puddles aren’t making slippery conditions.
Sometimes picking up outside of your yard can help lead by example. Keeping
after your pets in your yard and on walks keeps neighbors happy. Save plastic
grocery bags and take two with you. One to cover your hand and one as a waste
bag. It is not just pets, picking up trash along a nightly walk or keeping
storm drains clear will go a long way at cleaning your neighborhood. Sometimes
a senior neighbor might need some help picking up litter too.
Neighborhood clean-ups are a great way to connect with neighbors and make the
block shine. You will want to talk with your neighbors and local government to
start. Adopting a local highway or expressway is another great networking and
clean-up event. Many organizations like churches, scout groups, and school
adopt roadways to pick up waste.
Reporting of areas that need cleaned-up can help spread the word. Maybe
officials are not aware of the problem or people have not made enough of a
fuss. Reporting graffiti might create a chance for street art to go up. Being
active in community planning is a way to stay self-empowered and build a
comfortable community.
A tidy home helps make a welcoming community. It starts with you leading by
example. It might take a while to see the results, but it will not go
unnoticed. Luckily, none of these ideas cost a lot of money and might even be
fun.