So how does this story have anything to to with me? I am a moral person at heart and my mistakes drive me crazy. No, I am not to the point where I throw myself under a train, but I am unhappy with much of my behavior. My major fault is my hatred of housework. I didn't mind it when I took care of myself, but cleaning horrible messes that are not my fault is something I abhor. Avoiding my responsibilities has become an art form, one that I am quite skilled at, and, like Anna, it is slowly eating away at my sanity. I have one good cleaning hour in me (I hope) and my my late new year's resolution is to work hard at cleaning my house for an hour each day and then fold laundry in the afternoon while I watch a movie. When the hour is up I get to do what I want. When the movie is over I get to stop folding and putting the laundry away. I think I can live with this. I still get to work on my hobbies, read, and write, yet my work gets done as well.
What do you think? Those of you who have made cleaning an art form know that once the habit is formed it becomes less of a horror and just something you do. I believe that I can become one of those people. Any tips for me on how to make cleaning more of a joy than a hardship?
Interesting parallel! What a tragic story. Anyway, I don't love cleaning in and of itself, but the result is what gives me happiness, so it's worth the doing. Having clean space, even if just the kitchen, gives me a feeling of control over my environment. Plus, the kids are getting old enough to clean a lot of their messes, though they don't clean up the details too well. You're right on with giving yourself an amount of time per day devoted to cleaning. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy house will never ever be as clean as I want it. I don't mind certain things like laundry, dusting and vacumming, and can do those whenever. But the yuckier ones like bathrooms and deeper cleaning I have to put on my weekly schedule so they'll get done. Definitely a hard thing. Maybe you and Big T can work out a system where you make a list of stuff that needs to be done and he can pick a couple he can help out on weekends or evenings. That way it won't all feel like it's on you and he'll know where you need help. We're big list makers over here, can you tell?
ReplyDeleteI have a cleaning schedule I follow for the major cleaning as for the everday clutter and upkeep I kinda follow your way with a reward system. If I get the dishes caught up then I can have a couple mini candy bars if the whole kitchen is done I can sit and watch a fav show of mine, silly but it works for me :)
ReplyDeleteI abhor housework too. It never ends and that's what just makes me want to go postal.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I notice that when I just do one little job--like organize the shoes or something my mind feels so much better and it motivates me to do other projects.
Brandon has the job of sweeping the floor every day. That job always seemed to put me over the edge so we agreed that if I did the counters he would do the floors. It's been working great so far. (He also folds the underwear and socks because I'm sick of laundry by that point)
Our kids each have a zone--meaning a room and hallway they are in charge of each week before they can do anything fun.
Great post! and thanks for refreshing brain with some classic Literature. (I'm still asking for a housekeeper for Christmas for the rest of my life)