The question that’s on everone’s mind – how do I keep my house clean with a full time job? Kids? Whacky hormones? And no energy?
As I’ve nagivated the choppy waters of living in a modern world with the constant pressure of doing all the things and doing them well, I’ve learned a thing or two about embracing *good enough*, *balance* and still *winning*. And today, I’m sharing them with you.
😎 Here are 7-tips that’ll help you create a strategy or framework you can use to find balance in your life and keep the house clean without doing more.
Tip #1: Think long-term instead of short term for a change
Whether you’re hustling full-time or part-time, try to think long-term and opt for a monthly planner. Plot out everything you need to do from laundry days to taekwondo practice for the next 30 days. This will help you see life a lot more clearer which in turn, will help you plan your life a bit more realistically instead of wishfully.
If you really want to take life to the next level, set a goal for the year. Let’s say it’s to get the house decluttered this year. From there, create monthly goals that help walk you closer to achieving your goal. In this case, focusing on one area or space of the house each month will help you stay on track throughout the year so that you can actually hit your goals – for once! 🙌
Tip #2: Make a tiny to-do list for the day
Not a running to-do list. Or a mile-long to-do list. We all know those lists just become a source of stress and a reminder of how much you don’t get done in a day which is all negative energy that eventually breaks down collagen. Noticed your jawline sagging lately? The last thing we need is broken down collagen.
Opt for hyper-short checklists that are totally actionaable and contain only the things that are red phone priorities for the day. I’m talking 1-5 items MAX for the day.
It could be as simple as:
✅ take the kids to school at 7:20
✅ grocery shop at Publix after dropping off the kids
✅ pay credit card bill
✅ wash and put away one load of laundry
✅ wash face before going to bed
Guys, don’t act like I’m the only one that doesn’t always wash my mascara off before going to bed.
👉 Your checklist should be things you *can* do and actually *should* do.
We all tend to get exceptionally ambitious when it comes time to make the day’s to-do list. But to get everything done, you simply need a shorter list. Focus on the easy wins & priorities that are in alignment with your goals and you’ll be feeling like a productive human being in no time!
Tip #3: Get rid of stuff whenever you can
Everyone talks about decluttering as if it has to be some well-thought-out session of some sort. But the truth is, if you pull out the cookie pan and see the probably toxic film that once coated the pan is now hanging on by a thread, just throw it away already.
If you’re reading this, you probably enjoy the luxuries of being in a first-world country so hop on Amazon and get a new cookie pan for crying out loud. I don’t know you but I’m sure you deserve to treat yourself with this.
You have way more trash than you realize. Stuff not worthy of being donated. And it only takes 2-seconds to throw it away. Burnt pans, socks with holes, shoes that can’t go another mile – you get it. Facts are facts and trash is trash. When you see it, toss it.
Tip #4: Make it easy to clean as you go
Everyone says hang your jacket as soon as you come through the door but let’s face it, if it’s hard to do, it’s not going to happen. The solution? Make it easy to put the jacket away. This could be a jacket at the door. Or some hooks over the door. Or simply keeping enough hangers and space in the closet so that you can actually hang your jacket.
Bottom line: set yourself – and family if you’ve got one – up for success by making it easy to keep clean.
Tip #5: Miniature cleaning session
It may feel as if you don’t have time to clean every day, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are sooo many little tasks you can do that take mere minutes.
👉 Vacuum the bathroom floor.
👉 Load the dishwasher.
👉 Gather all the trash from around the house.
👉 Clean the toilets. (makes a big difference in how your house smells)
I could go on and on. 5-10 minutes of cleaning and tidying every day will keep your house cleaner than cleaning it never so often.
Step #5: Don’t put it down, put it away
As a mom of three kiddos, I can attest to how draining it is to constantly police behind everyone, getting them to put stuff away. BUT it’s totally worth it. Especially if your kids are young. Why? Because you’re training them or helping them build the habit of putting things away. So yes it takes time and energy to be the clutter police but your reward is that eventually, they’ll get it.
But don’t be a hypocrite.
It’s always easier to see what everyone else isn’t doing. It’s just part of being a human right? But sometimes, we need to look at the man in the mirror. Do you put things away? 🧐 Yes, a messy house or people not cleaning up is frustrating, but have kindness and patience for yourself and your family as you guys navigate out of this messy house situation.
Step #6: Pull your beds off the wall – stat
It’s been proven that making your bed every day will help you feel more accomplished. But sometimes, making the bed is damn-near impossible. If your bed or your kids’ beds are against the wall, move them off the wall. Even just a foot so that the beds can actually be made without calling in a warlock.
Step #7: Change the way you think about *help*
Yes, hire a cleaning service. I’m not saying this because I own a cleaning service. It’s moreso because I see the busy women and men that use our service and they are nothing short of impressive in their own rights. Everyone has a lot to do but I don’t think anyone likes the feeling of going to work and then coming home and having to work hard. The day seemingly never ends. And that’s deflating.
On a side note: Everyone should have a hand in keeping the house clean. Even you guys that don’t like the idea of your kid cleaning because they have homework and all these other things.
Eventually, your kids will leave home and have to figure out how to balance home, work, and life for themselves. You can either help them learn the skills at home with you so they are more prepared for the real world. Or you can send them off to college where the other kids will dog walk your child because he or she can’t keep their side of the dorm room clean. Which would you prefer? 😂
How to keep your house clean *foreal*
Ok so it’s one thing to clean your house, but it’s another to keep it clean. If this is something you’ve been struggling with, you’re in the right place because this very thing is something I talk about all the time. Here are two places to start if you’re ready to end the messy house cycle once & for all:
👉 The Clean Cure Vault | for simple guides, checklists and roadmaps that help you clean your house better and faster (it’s free 🥳)
👉 The C.H.A.O.S. Control Challenge is the secret to getting a grip on your life and getting your home under control once & for all. Without any long, drawn out courses or snooze fest workshops.
