If you’re anything like me, sometimes cleaning the house seems so overwhelming that when you get started you might get through a room or two but then tire out or get burned out. I’ve faced facts years ago, maintaining the perfect house isn’t one of my talents.
Yet, I’m still not in the position to afford to hire this work done, so what’s a gal (or guy) to do?
Simply put, you just figure out a way to manage it. Because it doesn’t go away if you ignore it, and a messy house is a real distraction. You can’t relax in a mess. And the older you get, the more it bothers you. I think that’s true for most of us.
So here are my tips on managing it:
· Take a while to look around. Not like you normally do, though; don’t look around in disbelief and bewilderment. Look around for problem areas. Case in point: I have one area of counter space in my kitchen near the phone which is always cluttered with miscellaneous junk. So, I put a medium size wooden bowl there as a catch all, but guess what? That turned into a wooden bowl plus a cup for pens, a little dish for change, and still a pile of clutter. Therefore, the bowl wasn’t the right solution. As I sort through the overflow, I notice that much of this already has an appropriate place, and I’ve just been too lazy to return it to where it goes.
· We’ve all heard the expression, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” My best laid plans often go awry, too. However, I’ve found that if I keep those plans in my consciousness I’m more apt to follow through. For example, I’m a daily to-do-list maker. I have found that if you remind yourself that picking up daily is as important as taking a shower, you’re more likely to do it. Also, each day can also bring focus to one room. For example, let’s say every Monday night after you pick up all the kids’ toys about the house and other things that have wandered out of place you give the living room special attention. The next day, it’s the kitchen. You get the drift.
· Be realistic. For some of us, it’s just never going to be perfect, so we just have to prioritize. Personally, nothing disgusts me more than a dirty kitchen or bathroom, so I keep those rooms clean and myself calmer for it. My daughter’s room, and my bedroom, might always be a little disorderly though, because she’s a kid, and my room catches the overflow when I can find a place for things. So, I forgive myself for it, and I go back to work so one day I might be able to afford a maid and a personal organizer.
