Introduction
As a lazy person myself, I know how hard it can be to stay on top of chores. It’s so tempting to let things slide and live in mess and filth. However, I’ve learned some tricks over the years to make chore management as easy and painless as possible. With just a little planning and effort, even the laziest person can stay on top of chores and have a clean(ish) home.
Schedule and Prioritize
The first step is to make a schedule of what needs to be done when. Here is what has worked for me:
Daily Chores
- Make bed
- Wash dishes/load dishwasher
- Take out trash
- Quick tidy (pick up clutter, wipe counters)
Weekly Chores
- Vacuum
- Mop floors
- Clean bathroom
- Laundry
- Change sheets
- Take out recycling
Monthly Chores
- Dust
- Clean inside appliances (microwave, oven, fridge)
- Clean windows
- Scrub showers/tubs
- Deep clean kitchen
Knowing what needs to be done each day, week, and month helps me stay on track. I also prioritize tasks – I always make sure to do quick daily tidying and laundry before less important chores.
Batch and Multitask
I maximize efficiency by batching chores together and multitasking. For example, when I clean the bathroom, I’ll also dust, scrub the tub, wipe mirrors, etc. all at once. When I fold laundry, I’ll put on a TV show so the chore feels less tedious.
Doing all chores in one room at one time saves energy. I’m not going back and forth as much around the house. Multitasking makes chores go by faster.
Make It Easy On Yourself
I try to eliminate chore pain points so I’m more likely to keep up with tasks. For example:
- Keep cleaning supplies organized and in each room so everything I need is at my fingertips.
- Use small laundry baskets around the house to easily transport items left out to their rooms.
- Invest in cleaning tools like a robot vacuum, dishwasher, etc. to cut down on labor.
- Listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks while doing chores to make them more enjoyable.
The easier I can make chores, the more likely I am to actually do them. A little effort in setting up systems pays off.
Schedule Rewards
To stay motivated, I schedule little rewards for myself after completing chores. For example:
- After folding a load of laundry, I get to watch one TV show episode.
- After cleaning the bathroom, I get a chocolate treat.
- After doing a deep clean, I get to indulge in a nap or bath.
Giving myself something to look forward to makes chores feel less painful. I’m more inclined to check things off my list.
Accept Imperfection
As a lazy person, I had to accept that my home will never look spotless and professionally cleaned. And that’s okay. My goal is to keep things generally tidy and clean – not perfect.
It’s about balance. I focus on chore areas that really matter like dishes, laundry and floors. But I don’t stress if furniture has dust or there are some fingerprints on the walls. The mindset shift from perfection to good enough has made chores feel much more manageable.
Conclusion
Staying on top of chores is totally doable even for lazy folks like me. By scheduling, batching tasks, making chores easier, rewarding myself and accepting imperfection, I’m able to maintain a reasonably clean home without becoming a chore machine. Give some of these tips a try, and see if chore management feels less painful. A little change can go a long way!
