WFMW ~ One Thing at a Time
Girls (and boys?), I am not a good housekeeper. And my strongest personality trait is unfortunately a negative one: Procrastination. Now, my house is not nasty or toxic or anything, but as I may have mentioned in the past, we do have some teeny little problems with clutter. And I would much rather read or blog or read or play games or read or play with my kids than pick up the clutter.
This tip will hopefully be helpful for my fellow procrastinators, but those of you who are organized and tidy may find my suggestions obvious or trifling.
Here's one thing that's working for me, little by little, when I absolutely, positively do not want to clean. Pick up one thing at a time. Don't wait until you can do a whole room. Every little bit helps.
For example, this morning when I walked in the front door after dropping the big girls off at school, I did not leave the living room until I had picked up the things that were out of place. Since we don't spend much time in that room, there were only a couple of things out of place. So one room now looks great. Too bad we can't say the same for the rest of the house.
Later on while I was waiting for my bagel to toast, I put away the cooking oil and wiped off the stove.
Just now when I went to the restroom, I picked up some trash and pony tails from the counter and put them in their respective homes.
The next time I leave my bedroom (where my computer is) I will take a basket of clothes to the laundry room and throw them in to wash.
For example, this morning when I walked in the front door after dropping the big girls off at school, I did not leave the living room until I had picked up the things that were out of place. Since we don't spend much time in that room, there were only a couple of things out of place. So one room now looks great. Too bad we can't say the same for the rest of the house.
Later on while I was waiting for my bagel to toast, I put away the cooking oil and wiped off the stove.
Just now when I went to the restroom, I picked up some trash and pony tails from the counter and put them in their respective homes.
The next time I leave my bedroom (where my computer is) I will take a basket of clothes to the laundry room and throw them in to wash.
When I go to let the dogs out the back door, I'll wipe off the kitchen table and put out clean napkins for dinner.
You get the idea. Instead of being overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done around here, I'll just do them one thing at a time, as I go through the day. That way I don't feel guilty for being a lazy butt, and I find that the more I do, the more I want to do.
You get the idea. Instead of being overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done around here, I'll just do them one thing at a time, as I go through the day. That way I don't feel guilty for being a lazy butt, and I find that the more I do, the more I want to do.
As I mentioned above, this may seem obvious to those of you who don't have problems with motivation and keeping up with housework. But for those of us (and I hope I'm not the only one!) who are slow starters, every little bit helps.
So. Picking up one thing at a time. Works for me. Be sure and go on over to Shannon's and check out all today's great tips!
7 comments:
I hate housework, but my house isn't toxic, either, LOL! My secret is Ta-Da lists. (I think it might be Mytadlists.com--something like that. Just Google "My Ta-Da Lists.") I made a list for each room and broke the cleaning down to the smallest bits. For example, my bedroom list has everything from: "Make Bed" to "Turn off Electricity." (That latter covers not only the lights but the heater or a/c.) As I go along, I check off what I did. Looking at a whole room is overwhelming, but doing 'one thing at a time,' like you suggest, is easy! One thing only takes a few seconds.
BTW, I like your blog name!
Hey, Queen Lori, I forgot 2 things:
1. Ta-Da Lists is free.
2. I have ulterior motives using it. Because I hate housework--for every 2 or 3 things I check off a list--I do something fun. Like blogging. Today, it's 10 WFMWs for every 2 things. Hey, it'll all be done by dinnertime.
I really need to do this too. My house could use some TLC right now.
This post was a great reminder. I am often tempted to procrastinate doing anything, until I have enough time to do the job perfectly.
You are NOT alone on this one =)
I'm famous around here for "we'll get to that tomorrow" =D
I am going to try you tips =)
Jennifer
That's a great tip! I am a perfectionist, so I tend to think "If I can't have the whole house perfect at one time, then forget it". I love this idea because then at least you could have one good room. ;)
Have a great week,
Michelle
My mom always had a similar rule when I was young, "Never leave a room empty handed." In this way as we walked throughout the house things got put away. I didn't remember this until reading your post because at this point the "rule" is so part of how we live that I don't even think about it.
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