"Homeostasis is a medical term that refers to the tendency of the human body to seek and maintain balance. What is your house's "HOME-eostasis?" What is that balanced condition of your home to which you would always like to return?
Homeostasis n. [hoh-mee-oh-stay-sis] The tendency of the body to seek and maintain a condition of balance or equilibrium within its internal environment, even when faced with external changes. A simple example of homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, whatever the temperature outside. (definition from The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005.)
Your house's homeostasis results from preventing clutter, reducing the clutter you have to a manageable and acceptable level, and consistently maintaining your home with systems and routines. It's a state of balance and readiness-the kind of feeling you have when you've just straightened up the house for company to come over for dinner. It's a state of satisfaction, pride, and comfort. Homeostasis is your definition of success!"
