If I had a dollar for everytime that question was asked I would be rich! And so here is my best explanation.
1. Don't be fooled -- it is not always clean -- but whenever it is clean I reward myself and have friends over. That is my motivation -- I love to have people over -- I love to just hang out and watch the kids play --
2. This is a hard lesson to understand until you have been keeping up your house for a while. "Keeping your house clean on a daily basis will occupy far less time than bailing your disaster out once a week (or once a month or however often you do it)." And you will be happier -- very, very, very much happier.
3. There is no special skill set, talent, or personality trait that makes keeping your home nice a "fun" task. I don't like cleaning, you don't like cleaning, no one likes cleaning -- but I like the results and so I do it. It is like most things in life -- the means to the end is well worth it in the end.
4. There is no one method that works for everyone. My way will not be your way. But you should figure out your way (and the only way to do that is trial and error).
One of the best helps out there is flylady.net
It provides a framework for getting started even if you are in the worst possible way. Here is my favorite thing. . . she asks
1. Don't be fooled -- it is not always clean -- but whenever it is clean I reward myself and have friends over. That is my motivation -- I love to have people over -- I love to just hang out and watch the kids play --
2. This is a hard lesson to understand until you have been keeping up your house for a while. "Keeping your house clean on a daily basis will occupy far less time than bailing your disaster out once a week (or once a month or however often you do it)." And you will be happier -- very, very, very much happier.
3. There is no special skill set, talent, or personality trait that makes keeping your home nice a "fun" task. I don't like cleaning, you don't like cleaning, no one likes cleaning -- but I like the results and so I do it. It is like most things in life -- the means to the end is well worth it in the end.
4. There is no one method that works for everyone. My way will not be your way. But you should figure out your way (and the only way to do that is trial and error).
One of the best helps out there is flylady.net
It provides a framework for getting started even if you are in the worst possible way. Here is my favorite thing. . . she asks
- "Are you living in C.H.A.O.S? (Can't have anyone over syndrome?) Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start? Don't worry friend, we've been there, too."
- She has "baby steps" to help anyone get started on a whole new way. The first step is to shine your sink.
I did not find this website until after I had figured out my own method, but then as I read her lessons, I could not believe how similar what I was doing is to what she recommends. It would have saved me a lot of trial and error, had I found her website first.
3 comments:
Yes- ever since you recommended her website to me a couple of years ago- I have been in heaven:)
So, it is all thanks to you and your wonderful tips!! Can't wait for more:)
I just found fly lady a month or two ago. I love it, not that I need that help but I love the extra 15 minute ideas, like clean out the medicine cabnet today or what ever. it only takes 15 minutes and is something I might not have thought of. Or have the kids clean all the light switch covers. They can do it and think its fun. Great post.I wish my son Ryans girlfriend would take a few pointers. hmmmmmmmm
Yes, I definitely remember that your house always seemed so clean. So, I'm curious...what is YOUR routine. I am still working on sticking with one, but luckily, I don't feel like my house is dirty, just the daily clutter. I will have to check that website out. Thanks!
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