The Overwhelming Homemaking Struggle
I know the feeling. I honestly do. I know what it’s like to look around at the messy house, and even your life, and say the word “impossible.” I know the discouragement of waking up full of ambition to tackle the out-of-control toys and the stacks of dishes, only to have your plans derailed by a fussy baby or a disobedient child. Sure, if you were to stop by my house this afternoon, you might think it’s lovely and clean, but I can see the piles all over the desk that seem to grow faster than a four-year-old. And I can’t forget the mess that hides behind a certain bedroom door where there’s barely a path to get from the bed to the closet.
Sometimes it seems like everyone in the world must have their lives put together. And color coded. And stacked in cute little bins. Everyone except for you and me, that is. No, we feel just plain overwhelmed by homemaking. We really want our houses clean and our stacks of mail sorted and filed away, but it’s just out of our grasp. We have every good intention of getting things done, but then we’re so weary and overwhelmed by clutter and mess that we make the choice to eat chocolate today and attack the work tomorrow instead.
Breaking the Cycle of Overwhelm
At some point we have to decide that enough is enough. We must stop making excuses and then guilting ourselves into inaction. We have to quit the dramatic swings between comparing ourselves to others one moment and being satisfied with our own laziness the next. We don’t have to live like this. We really, truly don’t.
One of the best “first steps” you can take is to challenge yourself to turn off the phone, the computer, the iPad, and the television for one hour each day. This one hour challenge will sting a little, kind of like ripping off a band-aid, but it’s amazing what can be accomplished when you aren’t checking Facebook or replying to email. I double-dog dare you to give it a try.
Also, you need to keep in mind that what someone else’s home looks like does not matter. Your husband will not be more or less blessed because of how clean Suzy Homemaker’s kitchen counters look in those pics on her blog. And your children will not feel neglected because their toys aren’t organized just like that magazine article described. Everyone lives with different situations, limitations, and starting points. Don’t let all those perfect images bully you into thinking it’s hopeless. That’s just a lie.
Steady Progress Over Perfection
Catching up is always harder than keeping up. This means the path to getting your homes into the proper condition won’t be easy, but maintaining that level of clean will be much, much easier. Trust me on this one! The company my husband works for has this motto: “Better today than we were yesterday; better tomorrow than we are today.” You don’t have to feel continually overwhelmed by the clutter and mess in your home. Keep working to make it just a little better today than it was yesterday and better tomorrow than it is today. You can do it!
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The Mental Health Benefits of Tidying
Maintaining a tidy, organized home has a profound impact on our mental health and well-being. When our living spaces are cluttered and messy, it can contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression. On the other hand, a clean and orderly environment can have a calming effect, reducing mental strain and promoting a sense of control and clarity.
Research has shown that clutter and disorganization can actually impair our ability to focus, make decisions, and feel relaxed. The visual chaos of a messy home can be overwhelming, causing our brains to become overstimulated and unable to process information effectively. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and a general sense of being “stuck.”
Conversely, studies have found that tidying and organizing our living spaces can have a profoundly positive impact on our mental health. When we take control of our environment and create a sense of order, we experience a surge of accomplishment and pride. This boost in self-esteem and feelings of mastery can then translate to other areas of our lives, empowering us to tackle other challenges with renewed vigor and confidence.
Decluttering for a Clearer Mind
The process of decluttering and tidying up can also have a calming, almost meditative effect on the mind. As we sort through our possessions, decide what to keep and what to let go, we engage in a form of mindfulness that allows us to be present in the moment. This mindfulness can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, allowing us to feel more grounded and centered.
Furthermore, a tidy and organized home can promote better sleep, which is crucial for our overall mental health. When our living spaces are cluttered and chaotic, it can be difficult to truly relax and unwind, leading to restless nights and daytime fatigue. By creating a peaceful, uncluttered bedroom, we can improve the quality of our sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Embracing the Journey, Not the Destination
Remember, your home didn’t fall apart in a day, and it won’t be glued back together in one, either. That’s alright. Every step you take toward dealing with your overwhelming homemaking issues – big or small – will be one step better than things were when you started. Don’t be afraid to start small, whether it’s tackling one drawer or clearing off the kitchen counter. The important thing is to keep making progress, even if it’s at a slow and steady pace.
At Adam Cleaning, we understand the mental and emotional toll that a cluttered, messy home can take. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping our clients in Nottingham, UK regain control of their living spaces and, in turn, their overall well-being. By partnering with our professional cleaning service, you can take the first step toward a cleaner house and a clearer mind, allowing you to focus on the things that truly matter most.
