Boring housework
May 12, 2009 by Marci
Emily at Not Finished Yet had this comment last week on the post Got A Plan?,
All fine and good, but what if all the tasks (and goals and plans) on one’s neatly organized list are … really boring? Cleaning is just not exciting, nor is organizing and planning. Connecting with other people via hanging out on the internet or Facebook or calling a friend is far more interesting to me, and for better or for worse, I tend to gravitate towards the interesting things. Boredom is what I struggle with. I’d love to hear any ideas you have about dealing with the boring-ness of housekeeping…
Oh, Emily! You are not alone. While I do enjoy planning and organizing, I do not enjoy cleaning. And, it is not fun to plan or organize when my house is dirty. Face it, housework can be boring. There are probably 1000 other things I’d rather be doing than folding laundry or mopping floors. Even though I dispise clutter and the sight of a filthy house, it is hard to motivate myself to dive in and stay at it. (I have the attention span of a gnat!)
The thought of cleaning the entire house used to overwhelm me and it is hard to want to start a task when you are already feel defeated by the enormity of it. Then, I found the Flylady. Her attitude that “Your house didn’t get dirty in a day, so it’s not going to get clean in a day either” really made me feel better. I subscribed to her daily cleaning emails that focused on one area a week ( like bathrooms or living room) with a weekly home blessing hour (mop, vacuum, etc.) After following the Flylady to a T for a few months, I started to tweek her methods to fit my own house, my family and my personality.
I no longer clean the whole house in a day. I break it up into little daily pieces with plenty of downtime and rewards. For instance, yesterday, I didn’t let myself write until I folded and put away all the laundry I did that morning while I played with my 4 year old. This morning, I didn’t allow myself on the computer until the dishwasher was empty and breakfast was on the table. I work much better and stay focused when I know there is a reward at the end. As a results oriented person, I would get bored and frustrated if I had to wait unti the entire house was clean before a break or some sort of reward for my labor. I, also, need at to-do list if I am going to get anything done. If I have a plan of what I want to accomplish that day, I am more apt to get it done. And, I love to cross off tasks as I complete them. Makes me feel good at the end of the day.
Another benefit of cleaning a step at ta time is that most of the house is acceptably clean at any moment. It is not like it used to be when I would spent an a whole day cleaning the house from top to bottom and 4 days later it would be a wreck again. So, no one could come over and I would be grouchy until a I had a day to spend cleaning again. Now, I don’t mind if friends stop by anytime. That doesn’t mean I may not do a quick run through the house with my laundry basket or do a quick wipe down of the bathroom. Those things take just 10 minutes and then I can enjoy myself. Life is a bit easier now – not so “busy”.
Emily, I hope that helps. Anyone else got some tips or advice on overcoming the boredom of cleaning?
Comments (5)
I am the opposite; I love to clean and do not like to organize; so maybe we could go in to business together; you can organize and I will clean!
I also am working with the FLYlady. She seems to give you permission to not be perfect as long as you are making an effort. I also like her tips – decluttering a few minutes at a time can make an impact. I am still working on the baby steps but have found the process helpful. My downfall is boredom and the unexpected – recovering from vacation, meetings at school, drs appts, etc. Once I leave the house, it is hard to get motivated to get it back into order.
Great post!
I actually do best under pressure! At least until I can figure out how to do it and want to do it! My example… I invited a friend over this morning for a little devotion time. That meant I had to get moving. I cleaned all kinds of things I normally would say “I don’t feel like doing it” or “how boring!” or better yet “it can wait until later”. Yes, I am a procrastinator. I can tell you that I will be doing that invite more often! My house is clean today! My husband even said at lunch time, can we invite her over everyday? LOL. My husband is a joker, he didn’t mean anything by it but he knows I hate cleaning! It works for me but I am still looking for that thing that will work for me! Not just someone visiting!
Oh horrible last sentence! LOL! Sorry the sentence should say…
It works for me but I am still looking for something that works better for me!
I found the FlyLady when my 5-year old was a baby. I like how she makes the tasks manageable.
I have to be honest and admit that I haven’t stuck to the routine, but I do tackle my “hot spots” regularly.
{My kitchen sink could do with a good cleaning, though!}