Do you ever feel overwhelmed with housework?

Question

If so, did you ever come up with a solution to the problem?

Answer 1

Well, I think i found the solution.. i just haven't really DONE it yet. (hehe)

I subscribed to the FLYLady newsletter (www.flylady.net), and she's got a really great way of looking at cleaning. The basic principle is to take "baby steps" and do a little bit each day. Take a task - and set a timer for 15 minutes. For instance, it may be to pick up all the garbage in the living room, or de-clutter your desk. You only bite off as much as you can do in your alloted time and do that task until the timer goes off. The idea is to set small, attainable goals and not burn yourself out. It's not instantaneous, but if you adopt it as habit, your house will come around.

I have to warn you, if you subscribe, you get like 10 emails a day (I use a filter so mine all go into a side folder instead of flooding my inbox). Some of them are advice or testimonials (and i've picked up some good ideas) and some are "missions" for you to do.

The motivational stuff is a little lovey-dovey for my taste, but I edit out the goofy bits and print up the week's "missions" to post on my fridge for my boyfriend and i to work together on. Like i said, I haven't fully put this stuff into practice yet, but it really does seem like a sensible, non-overwhelming system to help the housework challenged, and it's free... so why not?

Answer 2

oh yes , and the best thing I can suggest is this. No point in trying to clean your home if you are worn out . especially if you have been out working all day . You just don´t have the energy , or if you have small children . If you do work all day , the first thing you must do before even lifting a duster is. Lay on top of your bed , just for 1/2 hr, relax your body. You will find this 1/2 hr will give you that extra energy to do the work you want to get done. Next pick 1 thing or 1 room to clean, you need not do all in one day. Set your alarm clock to go off in 15 min´s time, see how much you can achieve in this short amount of time. Working in the 1 room remember never waste time taking things back to their rightful places until you have finished, Leave the things outside the door you are working in , Once the clock sounds , you sit down and have a rest , but if you think you would rather carry on then do the same again. Set the clock for another 15, min´s and carry on the same way. The golden rule is, no matter how little housework you do always reward yourself . 15 min´s here and there will get your house the way you want it to be 6 still have time to relax with your family

Answer 3

Every day! There is always something that needs doing.

Prioritize. Some things kinda have to be done everyday like making the bed. But something like wiping down the bathroom mirror, if it doesn't look all that bad let it go. Do what needs doing.

flylady.com has some great ideas. She has a system where you spend 15 minutes a day on a specific area of the home. I'm trying to learn to be diciplined enough to do it but I distract easily LOL

Answer 4

yes...all the time.
i do a good cleaning on saturdays. during the week, we clean as we go. i usually do 1 room at a time, and it may take all day on saturday to clean (since i have a 1 y/o), but that is what works for me.
every morning i unload the d/w so as the day goes on just put the dirty dishes in there then at night, run it.
i do 2-3 loads of laundry a day, i sweep nightly, and vacuum every 3 days or so. i never make the beds ( i think thats a waste of time), and we wipe up the bathroom every day as well.

Answer 5

Well, if you have a whole house to clean, it can be a really big task....especially if you want to do it all...dust, vacuum, put everything in its proper place. If I have company coming over, especially if they are staying overnight, I know what I'm in for...cleaning-wise...so I start early and do a little each day. Do one room each day or whatever...start with the rooms that you aren't likely to mess up again by the time the guests arrive...for example, the guest bedroom. Make your way through the house and end with the kitchen and bathroom...the rooms you use everyday and the ones that can get the dirtiest.

Answer 6

Yep, I feel that way too a lot. What helps me is to do the cleaning WITH someone. Even if they are not helping, but just chatting with me, it makes the time go faster, puts me in a better mood, and I get more done. If no one is home, and I have to clean, I've found that listening to books on tape works great too. I get lost in the story, and the cleaning doesn't seem like so much drudgery. I hardly realize I'm cleaning and then it's done.

Answer 7

All the time!
I just get the kids, and hubby to help out.
One person cannot do it on their own if they have a family.
When I was single, I wouldn't make such a mess.
I would clean up as I go. (cooking)
Laundry, set two days out of the week and do it then.
Shopping, once a week and plan meals for the week.
Cleaning in general, bathrooms every other day
Dusting, twice a week
Windows, twice a year and so on.
Just make plans, and put things away when you are done with it.

Answer 8

Everyday! Some people are natural born housekeepers.. they have that house beautiful look all the time. Mine only looks that way if I have slaved away and made everyone around me miserable. My solution is to either get another job to pay for a housekeeper or learn to do what I can and be happy with my house that is clean, but lived in.

Answer 9

no. because my hubby helps put with the housework. we do it together. if i cool he will clean up.do the dishes. clean up the stove, countertops./v.s he loves to vaccum, dust, and he always makes the bed in the morning. he picks up after himself. he is the best husband in the world. i wouldn't know what to do without him:)

Answer 10

Yes, and you should see my house right now..(well,maybe not)..it's a living mess!! I hate that when that happens...

Just put on some very cool music and dance your way through it..