Cleaning Motivation: Finding Inspiration to Keep Your Home Presentable
Hi Friend! So glad your here!
Today I want to talk about house cleaning and not the normal tips and tricks your probably used to seeing and hearing. I'm talking about motivation and the perspective shift needed to do the dang work. Because, I know in our family, cleaning might as well be a dirty word. 🤔 And it's like pulling teeth to get the work done.
I feel like I have read all the tips and tricks on how to make it happen. Set goals, have a cleaning routine, have the family help, they all say. However, it just never works, consistently. We get busy, doing other things like school events, work, cooking, and the wonderful downtime we all super moms need so much after mentally running through the to-do list, remembering all the things we need to do, which doesn't involve cleaning, and managing the kids and their emotional rollercoasters. At the end of the day I usually feel drained.
Tell me I'm not the only one who has thought, "I just don't feel like it. I'm to tired to deal with that.". And, I'm realizing that it takes more then just goal setting and routines, all though those things will help. It takes discipline, perspective shifts, and choices to get the job done.
So, here are the things I'm finding that help me get the job done in the season of life I'm in right now and how they relate to the normal tips I hear about so often.
Choosing into Cleaning Goals
It's not just about setting realistic goals, but also making the choice on a day to day basis to complete those goals. We can set all kinds of goals, but if we choose to sit and watch TV because of thoughts like, "I'm to tired." or "I just don't feel like it.", they will never get done. Instead we GET TO choose to do the dishes because deep down inside we know we will feel better when we just do the dang work.
However, our goals still need to be attainable. Trying to fit in to much at once can become overwhelming and frustrating, specially if you don't meet that goal. So, instead, break down your cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable goals. For example, in this season of life I'm choosing to focus on making sure the kitchen is clean(ish) and that at least one load of laundry is done every day, from start to finish (including putting them away).
By achieving these little bite size goals, I feel a sense of accomplishment and stay motivated to continue.
Although, another important aspect of achieving your goals is to give yourself a break when you don't complete them. Understand that not everything has to be perfect all the time. There will be times were you don't achieve your goal that day. And that's ok. We get to choose what we do on a daily basis.
Creating a Cleaning Routine
Having a cleaning routine can make a big difference in staying motivated to clean. By establishing a regular schedule for cleaning tasks, you'll develop a habit and make it easier to achieve your goals. And the only way to create that habit is by making that choice to do the dang work, more often then not, even when we don't feel like it.
However, to start a routine, you could pick a few things to do every day and determine when you're going to do that task. Write it down somewhere and stick to it as much as possible. For example, I have decide to do one load of laundry daily and clean the kitchen sink every night. And I have decided that I will clean the sink and counter tops every night before bed.
Additionally, it can be helpful to break your cleaning routine into smaller, more manageable chunks. Instead of trying to clean the entire house in one day, focus on one room or area at a time. Another example is, throwing one load of laundry in the washer in the morning, move it the dryer in the afternoon or evening, if you work days, then fold and put it away before you go to bed. This way, you'll feel a sense of progress and accomplishment as you complete each task. Remember to be flexible with your cleaning routine and adjust it as needed to fit your schedule and priorities. And Track your progress. After a month of achieving your cleaning goal more often then not, you will see how much progress you really are making and will have formed that habit, and ready to add more.
Finding Joy in the Process
Cleaning doesn't have to be a chore that you dread. Look for ways to make the process more enjoyable and even fun. One way to do this is to think about how good it will feel to have that task done. I always feel so much better going to bed with a clean kitchen sink, because I LOVE the feeling of waking up to a clean kitchen. It's all about the perspective shift.
Another way to do this is, asking Alexa, or what every your virtual assistant is, to put on some upbeat music or listen to your favorite podcast while you clean. Think of it as a dance party. I like to put on some music and have a contest with my son to see who can get there chore done first before the song ends. My 10 year old HATES cleaning with a passion, anything that is not play is the end of the world. But when I make it a contest, he usually gets his chore done before me. 😜
Either way, finding joy in the tasks can help lift your mood and make the time go by faster. And you have found a way to enjoy the process, which will make you more likely to choose into the task rather then choose out of it and watch TV instead.
Rewarding Yourself
I will be honest, rewards have never been a real motivator for me. However, when I make myself a Happy Juice drink (and NO, it's not alcohol), that is enough for me to get going and motivated to get the task done. Happy Juice is a supplement drink full of specific probiotics that target motivation and focus to help you get tasks done. More on that in another post. But for now, all you need to know is that it's delicious and it works to help motivate me to work.
Either way, rewarding yourself for completing cleaning tasks can be a great way to stay motivated. After completing your cleaning routine for the day, treat yourself to something you enjoy. It can be something small like a piece of dark chocolate or a short break to relax and do something you love, like finally having that glass of wine to unwind for the day and watching an episode of your favorite show (your welcome Grays Anatomy fans). By rewarding yourself, you'll associate cleaning with positive experiences and be more inclined to continue completing your daily cleaning goal.
Another way to reward yourself is by tracking your progress on how often you achieve your cleaning goal. Set specific goals, such as how often you do the few cleaning tasks that are important for you right now, and track your progress. Once you reach a milestone, reward yourself with a bigger treat or a special activity. This can provide a sense of achievement and motivation to keep going.
Seeking Support and Accountability
Keeping the house clean can feel overwhelming, especially when you feel like it all falls on your shoulders. Seek support and accountability from your family. Have an open and honest conversation about how important is for your family to maintain a clean and organized home and discuss ways in which everyone can contribute. Assign specific cleaning tasks to each person, taking into consideration their abilities and schedules. By sharing the responsibilities, you'll feel less alone and more motivated to clean together as a team. Hold them accountable as well. For you kids, prevent them from playing until their part is done. For partners, explain why you feel this it important, and again have on open and honest conversation with them.
In conclusion
Keeping your house clean is all about picking a few tasks a day to focus on them. Setting specifice goals to get them done every day. Creating a routine around getting them done every day. Finding joy in the process, how ever that looks like. Rewarding your self some how in your progress. And seeking support and accountability from you family and friends to get the job done, more often then not.
I would love to here from you on how this post helped you get through the day to day cleaning tasks you needed to keep your house somewhat clean and your sanity from slipping. I have a saying that I learned from my late Mother-in-law, "My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy". And boy is that true in our family life.
Please comment below on your thoughts and perspective on this post. I am here to help YOU! I'm here to help you do the things that feel imposable or unmanageable. And your comments and thoughts will help provide better content in the future. Thank you for your time and I will see you in the next post.
