Confession time: I used to be the queen of creative avoidance when it came to household chores. I’d come up with all sorts of excuses to get out of doing the dishes, laundry, or vacuuming. “Oh, I’ll just hang those clothes up in the bathroom and let the steam take care of the wrinkles!” or “I can totally stretch these socks out for another week before washing them.” Sound familiar?
But then parenthood and the pandemic hit, and suddenly, I found myself drowning in a sea of never-ending tasks. The dishes piled up faster than I could wash them, the toys scattered across the floor by 8 AM felt like a lost cause, and don’t even get me started on that dreaded weekly bedsheet change.
Finding Joy in the Mundane
When the going gets tough, the tough get joyful – or at least, that’s what I told myself. I knew I needed to find a way to make these necessary but unpleasant chores more… well, enjoyable. So I turned to my fellow Joyspotters – a community of over 6,000 people dedicated to finding more joy in everyday life – and asked for their best tips and tricks.
The response was overwhelming, with more than a hundred strategies shared by this generous, thoughtful group. From timed cleaning challenges to dance parties with the vacuum, there were so many creative ways to transform even the most tedious tasks into something that could actually be fun.
Hacking Your Chore Routine
One of the first things I learned is that our perception of how long a chore will take can often be way off the mark. Joyspotter Genevieve shared how she used to hate emptying the dishwasher – that is, until she timed herself and realized it only took 4 minutes. Suddenly, that looming task didn’t feel so daunting.
The secret? Set a timer. Vanessa, for example, gives herself just 17 minutes to clean the bathrooms on Monday mornings, and she loves trying to beat the clock. This not only makes the task feel more manageable but also turns it into a game. I can totally relate – back in grad school, I used to do the same thing with my drawing exercises, using a 20-minute timer to power through page after page of warm-up sketches.
The Power of Playlists and Dance Breaks
Another popular strategy among the Joyspotters is to crank up the tunes. Whether it’s a playlist of ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s top 40 hits or a special “vacuuming song,” the right soundtrack can make even the most monotonous chores feel downright energizing. And if the urge to bust a move strikes, most Joyspotters agree that it’s worth indulging in a dance break. As Shelly puts it, “I hit shuffle and clean and dance away – makes it go so much faster!”
Of course, music isn’t just about boosting your energy; it can also help soothe those pesky sensitivities that sometimes make certain tasks unpleasant. Linzi, for example, hates vacuuming because the noise makes her anxious, so she puts on her headphones, turns up the music, and dances her way through the whole process.
The Joy of Guilty Pleasures
Speaking of music, the Joyspotters also swear by the power of “guilty pleasures” when it comes to making chores more enjoyable. Eveline, for instance, loves folding laundry – because it gives her an excuse to indulge in a favorite TV show or vlog. And Marike has a special “vacuuming song” that she only allows herself to listen to during that task.
The idea here is that by pairing a “guilty” pleasure with a dreaded chore, you can redeem both. The TV watching or cheesy music doesn’t feel quite so indulgent when it’s balanced out by productivity, and the chore itself becomes a little more palatable. Win-win!
Bringing in the Fun Factor
Of course, not everyone wants to rely on guilty pleasures or external motivation to get through their chores. Some Joyspotters prefer to find ways to infuse the tasks themselves with a sense of play and whimsy.
Laurie, for example, shared a genius tip for making sheet-changing an adventure: get a mischievous cat involved! Apparently, watching your feline friend dart in and out of the freshly made bed can turn this otherwise mundane task into a game of hide-and-seek. I loved this idea and was reminded of how my old nanny, Lola, used to let me snuggle up in the sheets as she made the bed around me.
Other ways to add a playful twist? How about turning mopping into a dance party or finding ways to get the kids involved, like making cleaning a scavenger hunt? The key is to tap into your inner child and let your creativity run wild.
The Joys of Joyful Tools
Of course, the Joyspotters didn’t just stop at making the chores themselves more enjoyable – they also found ways to upgrade their cleaning tools in a way that sparks joy.
Color seems to be a big factor, with many people swapping out boring old supplies for versions in their favorite hues or even DIY-ing their own with washi tape and yarn. And don’t forget the power of adding a little personality – like gluing googly eyes on your trusty Roomba or giving your steam mop a badass dragon-inspired makeover.
But it’s not just about aesthetics; the Joyspotters also appreciate tools that make the job easier and more effective. Jenny, for example, used to hate mopping until she discovered the magic of a steam mop, which she describes as “unleashing dragon power.” And Citrasolv, a natural citrus-based cleaner, has become a new favorite for its grease-cutting prowess and mood-boosting aroma.
The Importance of Mindfulness and Gratitude
As much as the Joyspotters love their joyful tools and playful strategies, they also understand the power of mindfulness and gratitude when it comes to chores. Lisa, for instance, has a pre-cleaning ritual that involves saying a little blessing for her home and lighting a candle – a practice that helps her stay focused on the positive energy she’s creating.
Others, like Jennifer, prefer to incorporate a mindful element after the cleaning is done, lighting a candle as a “finishing touch” or “celebration” of their hard work. And many Joyspotters find that simply reflecting on their gratitude for having a home to care for and clothes to fold can transform a dreaded task into a meaningful act of self-care.
Treating Yourself (and Others)
Of course, no discussion of chore motivation would be complete without acknowledging the power of rewards and treats. As happiness expert Gretchen Rubin points out, these little indulgences can help restore our energy and boost our self-control, making it easier to maintain our healthy cleaning habits.
For some Joyspotters, that might mean whipping up a decadent cake or granola in their newly cleaned kitchen. For others, it’s as simple as enjoying a peaceful lunch outside or carving out time for a favorite workout. The key is finding something that truly feels like a treat, whether it’s an indulgent experience or just a chance to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.
And don’t forget the joy of sharing the load! Whether it’s getting the kids involved in a cleaning scavenger hunt or scheduling a virtual closet cleanout with friends, the Joyspotters know that many hands make light work – and that the social connection can be an invaluable source of motivation and delight.
The Joys of Letting Go
Finally, the Joyspotters have a piece of advice that may be the most liberating of all: it’s okay to lower your standards. As Hinda puts it, “Okay is good enough” – a mantra that can be particularly helpful for those of us with a bit of a perfectionist streak.
The way I see it, the time we save by not striving for spotless floors or perfectly folded laundry can be better spent savoring a delicious meal, enjoying a beautiful sunset, or working on a fulfilling hobby. And if prioritizing joy over pristine surfaces means the occasional dust bunny or wrinkled shirt, so be it. After all, when I’m 80 years old, I doubt I’ll be reminiscing about the times I scrubbed the bathroom to a sparkling shine.
So there you have it, my friends – a wealth of strategies and insights from the Joyspotters, all aimed at making those pesky chores a little bit easier (and a whole lot more fun). Whether it’s a timed cleaning challenge, a joyful playlist, or simply embracing the beauty of “good enough,” I hope you’ll find something here that helps you reclaim your time and restore your sense of delight in the everyday tasks that keep our homes and our lives running smoothly.
And remember, if you’re ever in need of a little extra cleaning motivation, be sure to check out the amazing services offered by Adam Cleaning. They’ve got a team of experts who can tackle any job, no matter how daunting – so you can focus on the fun stuff (or just take a much-needed break!).
