Organizing homemaking

 

I do not suppose any homemaker never gets behind in housekeeping. Some people mistakenly think that just because a woman is a full time homemaker, her house should be splendidly in order all the time, but there are many other things which can interrupt the order and efficiency of things:

Birth of a child

Return from a trip

Aftermath of hospitality

Extended company

Illness

Reconstruction of house

Extreme weather conditions

Family circumstances

Extreme tiredness from stressful occurrences

Too elderly to tackle some jobs yourself

Urgent seasonal responsibility

Important outdoor work

Unexpected demands on your time

Helping others

Interruptions

is there anything else?

 

Sometimes I am in all those situations at the same time. I like to find a picture of an orderly room that is also pretty, to get my enthusiasm going. The pictures also have to be pretty, not just practical.

 

 

 

 

 

I also take a hint from my early childhood observation of parents making lists of things that need to be done. Someone may say there is no need for a written list if you can see what needs to be done, but writing out a list also helps to see a plan. It helps to decide what to do first.

 

Taking before and after pictures can be motivating, as well as emailing close friends and relatives the evidence of progress.

I personally find that in crisis cleaning, where housework has become overwhelming, that it is a great starter to get prepare myself in the morning by dressing for company or as if I might be going somewhere, and putting on a fill size bib apron,

and making a list, beginning with what things matter the most and ending with a reward. Sometimes the reward of a clean room is enough, and other times it motivates me to invite someone to share it. Occasionally the reward might be sitting at a clean desk or table to write a letter, or getting out some cheerful project.

My routine for each room is to straighten and declutter, vacuume or sweep, wipe and dust, change or add accessories, look and be thankful. Write the start and end time next to the job on my list, take short rests between rooms to check the mail, get a refreshment, or some other thing. Sometimes I like to talk to someone while working, and the conversations are quite stimulating, whether in person or on the phone.

 

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