It Can Be Easier

Yesterday, I told you it was time to reassess your mindset in order to make your household duties enjoyable.  This, no doubt, is a difficult process that will take a bit of effort on your part, but it can be done.

Today, I want to talk to you about simplifying.  Don't worry.  This second step to happy homemaking is much easier than the first step.  Instead of altering your entire outlook on life (which is hard no matter what you're hoping to achieve), this second step involves changing your processes.

My personality type is constantly driving me to re-evaluate every process in my existence.  I am never satisfied with how things are and I always feel there is room for improvement.  While I do not expect you to go quite that far, you may find your life as a homemaker (whether stay at home or not) can be easier than it all ready is with a little creative thinking.

I recommend you start simplifying your processes one at a time.  Start with the task you dread and despise the most.  Decide why you dislike it so much and see if there is anything you can do to make it easier, less grueling, or at least faster so you are spending less time in misery.  Get creative.  Think outside the box.  Try new ideas.  The worst that can happen is the task becomes more difficult.  In that case, try again.

Every household has a basic group of tasks that need to be completed regularly to ensure its upkeep.  These are the things that, when mentioned to a group of people, no one will say "I never do that."  Examples are vacuuming, dishes, laundry, and cleaning the toilet. 

Each of these chores can be simplified:

• Vacuuming can be sped up by rearranging furniture to make the carpet space more accessible and less maze-like.
• Dishes can be soaked through the day so washing them later is as simple as wiping them down.
• Laundry can be done far less often if you focus on reusing bathroom towels, re-wearing overshirts and pants a couple of times (unless obviously filthy), and choosing to wear sandals instead of dirtying a pair of socks.
• Cleaning the toilet can be done less often if you use a bleach tablet and regularly sanitize the seat.

Some of these examples may seem small and silly, but the time adds up quickly.  The same goes with cooking.  If you feel you spend a great deal of time cooking, then perhaps you need to readjust your menu.  Throw in more crock pot meals (like Crock Pot Spaghetti or Baked Beans), find simpler recipes, and cook in bulk.

Any area of your life, whether inside or outside of the home, can be improved.  This week, I challenge you to select a task, analyze exactly what you dislike about it or why it takes you so long to perform, and start tweaking your process.  Work on simplifying each task, one at a time, until you can breeze through your day effortlessly.  Have a task that you just cannot seem to make bearable?  Then perhaps its time to go back to step one and change your mindset.