*Note: the underlying subject of this post is self-love however with a focus on housework - you've been warned.
I took a leaf out of my own book this week (thanks Shar for the pun). As you may have read here, last Sunday I grappled with what my head was telling me to do and what I wanted to do. I went with the head. I regretted it. It wasn’t a life altering decision, but it did impact on my soul. You see I loathe spending my two days off doing chores, especially when the weather is this superb. I want to instead spend my two days frolicking at the beach.
I am a doer, if I don’t like something I change it. Unless of course it cannot be changed then I learn to like it ie winter (we’re almost friends). So naturally when I found myself facing this minor dilemma of clean house vs beachtime, I put the word out and some lovely ladies gave me some fabulously simple ideas to manage the housekeeping so I don't spend precious weekend time doing it all (thanks Mum and Bonnie). So also not one to muck around, I kicked off my new cleaning regime on Monday.
My new plan is to clean a little every night for 30-45 minutes after work, to reduce the amount I need to spend on the abode on my two days off. I had thought of this before but I found it hard to break my habit of cleaning from top to toe in one hit. I used to get up on Saturday and tidy up, dust, vacuum, mop, clean bathrooms, spot wipe walls and clean window ledges etc all in one hit. I liked that my weekend was spent with a sparkling abode. The problem with this is, doing it all in one hit takes up a lot of time. I wouldn’t sit down out of fear I’d lose interest, so I could essentially spend my entire Saturday morning cleaning. Then Saturday morning turned to Saturday afternoon, sometimes evening (I do enjoy nocturnal housekeeping) and most recently Sunday afternoon. Ugh. The other problem with this is that the abode only stays sparkling clean for 1.5 days, and then by the following weekend it is F.E.R.A.L. I wouldn’t sweep my floors intermittently as I prefer to vacuum. But I wouldn’t bring out the vacuum cleaner midweek as it was too much hassle, and then I would feel I’d also need to dust etc etc etc. So after hearing about the genius idea of doing a bit each day (yes I do think discussions on housework can be classed as ‘genius’, for those of you that think otherwise, you’ve obviously already got it down pat) I started just that. Discussion was Sunday, new cleaning style started Monday. Told you I don’t muck around.
Is it weird that I was a tad excited? Yes I thought so too. So come Monday I tidied up for about 20 minutes. No biggie, didn’t cringe or feel I was even doing housework. Tuesday I cleaned the bathroom after work, no issue. Wednesday morning I woke up earlier than my alarm, so I put some clothes away and scrubbed the toilet, as you do. And today on this extra day off we’re heading to the beach. Not a hint of guilt in sight since the abode isn’t looking feral and as always, who cares about the weeds!
Have a fabulous Australia Day, spend it doing something you love with the ones you love.
Good on you, Pegs! Glad to hear you made the most of your Australia day.
ReplyDeleteI've operated on the little bit each day approach for a while, mostly out of habit rather than a deliberate approach to efficiency. I have to always leave the kitchen spotless each night and give the bathroom a once over after Amelie's had her bath and tidy as I go. It means I only have to vacuum and mop on the weekends - if I want to.
Hope you're not reading this -hope you're at the beach instead. xo
Actually I am reading this, as I currently have another little Amelie over visiting for the morning. We're off to the beach this afternoon, we like to go late and stay for the sunset. :) But I promise I am not doing any housework, just cooking pasta for lunch and that's about it.
ReplyDeleteYour style of housekeeping sounds ideal. I am liking it so far, I think this may be the way to go. xo
Hi Peggy
ReplyDeleteI also pretty much do what Teresa does. It makes the weekends less stressful and I generally always then have a clean & tidy home. Sometimes I might let a load of wash wait a day, but if I do a little bit here & there the house always looks like it is in some sort of order. Once you begin doing this the house chores don't seem like such a big deal or having you take up entire weekends to clean. Hope you have had a good day.
xo
nice blog i liked reading it, it was really interesting....
DeleteThanks Veronica. I must admit I do already feel it is somewhat more manageable. Just got home from the beach, popped a load of washing in the machine. Doesn't feel so tedious when doing a small bit here and there. And you're right, it will probably remain tidier throughout the week rather than feral when I leave it all for the weekend.
DeleteHope you had a great day too. :) xo
Thank you Estate Management Services. :)
DeleteGlad you found something that works to give you your funtime back :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, I seriously think it's going to work! :)
DeleteGreat approach Peggy. I end up vacuuming most nights, just the kitchen and dining room though, everything else gets done in bits and pieces, unless hubby takes the kids and I get a good hit at it. I wash almost every day though, mainly because the baskets are full before I know it!
ReplyDeleteHope the sunset was lovely yesterday.
It sounds like that's the way to go Nat, loving the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThe sunset was awesome, thanks. It was surrounded by storm clouds and a grey grizzly sky. :)
Sounds like you're finding a pretty perfect balance here Peggy! I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and give it a try. xx
ReplyDeleteAmelia I must admit after only the first 5 days of the first week the pressure has very much lifted! This morning I would usually already be grappling with the thought of cleaning, but knowing I did a lot during the week is such a relief! Only need to clean the floors all weekend! PERFECT! My mum has long told me to clean a bit each day, but I never tried it. It is definitely the key to balance and more free time on the weekend. :) xo
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