Spring Cleaning

2024 has already been a year, friends.. and it’s only been 3 months. Between being sick for the first 3 weeks of January, unexpected financial stressors, my car dying, chaotic schedules, considering some potential career changes, and stress bringing back my Alopecia, we’re just surviving over here. From other friends or coworkers in my circle, it seems like I’m not the only one. Cultivate was the word of the year, and man, are we cultivating over here.

Something we’ve also learned that while the yearly word for our family is cultivate, there can also be words for seasons within the year. This season is surrendering. Surrendering plans, ego, to allergies (lol), and even control of household chores.. which is a delayed blessing. I say delayed because there’s work to get to that blessing.

Being a family of 5 with 3 kids 3 & under, our house is very well lived in. Toys, clothes, and dirty dishes galore. I love it and hate it all at once. It means our kids are being kids and this house is a home. However, with my work schedule being part-time and toddlers being toddlers, we’re not exactly Southern Living organized or affording a housecleaner over here. I’ve primarily been the household cleaner, which I typically don’t mind.. until I do. (Read that as: Rachel minds until she is stressed the F out and doesn’t have the mental bandwidth to write everything down/release control of the chores/can’t articulate what needs to be done). Daniel, wanting to help but not knowing how, will toss a load of laundry in. So, the laundry is always being done - which means clean clothes, but means folding and putting away literally every day. His heart was in the right place, but with dust bunnies rolling on the floor, I was getting a bit frustrated with putting the clothes that were worn yesterday back in the closet. First world problems, I realize this.

To help him help me, I sat down and brain dumped everything we needed to get done around the house on a daily basis, weekly basis, and monthly/quarterly basis. Then, I organized the chores by day. When he has a break during the day (he works remotely), he can do something on here to help me out. Alternatively, when I am home, I can tackle what is on the list. It lets me feel accomplished and allows us to keep general areas of the house clean throughout the week.. especially since the weekends are typically spent away from the house.

This is the chart that followed. It stopped the excessive laundry, gave Daniel a daily list of things to help me, and let’s me feel like I am getting things done when the mom/wife guilt says I’m lacking.

Hoping this helps you and your family too.

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Create Your Own Household Rhythms: