Ever since I heard about Works for me Wednesday, which Shannon hosts at Rocks in my Dryer, I've had a recurring thought. What works for me? Ummm, not much, some days. My dryer works, thank goodness. My kids - work? Not so much (I mean, really, they're kids). The dishwasher went kaput this summer and the heater died in late fall. We did not revive them, but thanks to loving parents, we replaced them with appliances that work.I think the most disturbing appliance that doesn't work around my house is ME. So, ladies, since today is backwards day, what works for you?
How do you motivate yourself to keep a clean house when you know it will only last for mere minutes and no one will know or appreciate it anyway? I just need a little motivation to get this human machine working again.
Would you give me some hints? How do you motivate yourself? What gives you that boost each day to get your housework done?
Thanks for the help!
Comments
Flylady has good ideas if you don't feel overwhelmed by all the emails. Simply get yourself into workable routines morning, afternoon and evening and then you are almost on autopilot.
It works...by adding 1 extra step each day for a month, you'll see a big change. Check out her Beginners Baby Steps!
Good luck!
My biggest motivator is having people in my house so often. I host a Bible study on Wednesday nights and it forces me to clean even when I don't feel like it!
Flylady makes me feel neurotic twitches.
I'll also put on the tea kettle to heat some water while I unload the dishwasher. I can only usually get a few things done in the time that it takes to make tea.
Finally, I talk on my cordless phone to one of my friends while we're both working on junk that we would rather not be doing.
I care about certain things - my bathroom, my kitchen, my (&DH) bedroom. My bedroom is never ever cluttered. Ever. I don't bring anything in there that isn't a book or a glass of water. LOL It is my restful haven. The laundry is never piled in there, nothing is stashed under the bed, it isn't a stash and dash place. (I have other locations for that lol) but I make sure that my bedroom isn't a dumping ground. It makes a huge difference.
I love a clean bathroom and kitchen. I just do it. I have a dishwasher (never use it) I hand wash the dishes because I enjoy it. These are things that I do because I like them that way. I don't care what other people think and if they mess up these areas, I ask them to clean it up.
I have a coffeetable that I don't think I've ever cleaned off entirely. I have a chair in my living room that is the catch all for the whole house. I have several areas that are flaming infernos of clutter, but nothing gets put in the master bedroom :)
I guess I pick my battles and my bedroom is the biggest one --
Have a great Day!
Kristin
I finally decided that this is my JOB. I need something to feel prideful in, I need to feel a sense of accomplishment just like my husband does at work.
I would NEVER accept less from myself in a work environment and it should be even more true at home.
I just set a standard and started with baby steps, now I can pretty much keep the house clean without too much trouble.
Clothes on Monday and Friday
Sheets/towels on Wednesday.
Hope this helps or at leasts encourages you that you are not alone in your thoughts.
I also used to have a jail at our house. Anything left on the floor or out of place at bedtime went into jail. This taught my boys to put up their things. It does not always work, but it helps.
Don't be hard on yourself. MOms have lots to take care of and a clean house is low on the list.
An immacualte home is the sign of a dull woman...
I have to break down the cleaning, make a list even. Do a few small things every day, and then I don't feel so overwhelmed by the magnitude of it! And I'm also motivated by having company over, so I try to be hostess a couple of times a month.
Hope you're getting some good ideas!
hope that helps!
I guess what works for me is to remember that any work I do for my family is holy work.
One day I was grumbling to my grandmother about having to repeatedly clean up muddy boot prints off the floors I had just cleaned. She was quiet for a moment and she said, "Sandy, I'll tell you this, I'd give anything to be in your shoes. I'd gladly clean up any muddy boot prints that were left on my floor with a smile and a prayer because that would mean that Charlie (my uncle, her only son) would be alive and well and I would not live in this house alone." I was quiet for a while and I told her she was right. Her words made an impact on me and my attitude about repeat jobs. I asked myself what would it be like not to have my dear loved ones, to be all alone and did I really want a clean house or people to share it with. I actually found myself photographing tiny smudges of hand prints left by my grandson on a frosty window, a perfect muddy boot print left by my husband on the entry floor, and crumbs on the counter where my daughter prepared her lunch! I felt grateful for every mess and for the opportunity to wipe them away, it is after all, holy work.
This phase of messiness with young children will pass and believe it or not, you will miss it!
Wow, what a great bunch of comments. The last one made me cry.
There is something to maturity. I am much better housekeeper now than in my 20s. I don't let dishes sit in the sink cause, yuck..I just have to do them later. Its automatic now. When I get burntout I want some organizational shows to motivate me.
Now I can even feel good about folding the 7 millionth load of laundry becasue I feel like I'm organizing by putting things in the right place.
Just keep making small changes now Make a list. ex. Purpose to always wipe the counters when you fix a snak or mael. Purpose to always wipe down the bathroom every morning after brushing your teeth. etc.
In a few yeaars you'll be doing things automatically without thinking.
I think a couple of other people said it too, but the most motivating thing for me to get the house clean is to invite someone over.