Overcoming The Dread of Chores - In Good Health, or Not!

Cleaning doesn't have to be this stressful!

I grew up in a household which firmly separated the roles of man and woman when it came to household chores. There was no lacking of argument when it came to the role of "who did what" when it came to cleaning. The end result was the mistaken belief that household chores were women's work, and the ensuing negativity and resulting feuds caused a strong resentment against household cleaning that had to be overcome. Thankfully, it WAS overcome.

The male head of the household - under the auspices of extreme fundamentalist Armstrongism - would close the curtains for fear someone would see him vacuuming the floors - or constantly complain if for some reason he was the one who did the dishes. (You could argue if he really was the head of the house, truly!) He was a product of his generation - and of the teachings of the Church when it came to the roles of man and woman. "Sissy work", I believe, was what anything home-maker like - was what he called it.

Attempts to try to change his mind would be futile. You can't teach an old dog new tricks - so the saying goes. But, as it goes without saying - this way of thinking was incorrigibly outdated, and absolutely incorrect. This is not that generation any longer. Yet, with the teachings of Meredith probably ingrained in some people in the background of the ACOG's - I'm certain that he was not the only one who looked on such tasks with mortal disdain.

The truth is - keeping a house clean in a family is everybody's job. Every member should pitch in and make housekeeping a pleasant, cheerful necessity of life - from the children to the parents - it is absolutely imperative that housecleaning be enjoyed and taught in a positive, rewarding atmosphere from all involved. Housecleaning can be a great opportunity for families to work together and actually spend time together, instead of something to be dreaded and hated for self-centered, misogynistic reasons. It's the responsibility of the parents to not just teach positivity in housecleaning - but to show it.

This can all be challenging if someone has a physical ailment that makes the tasks of keeping a clean home difficult. When this was the case for me due to my medical conditions - there had to be some improvisation to be able to do what needed to be done. I also needed to address the psychological brainwashing of negativity that I was reared in so I could actually enjoy it. What follows is some things that I've learned on ways to keep your home clean when you're physically impaired in some way. In my case, when I was near death and physically incapable of doing anything, doing the very basic things were a challenge. Moving just 10 feet was absolutely exhausting - like you were pushing a 2 ton safe around. Living with chronic conditions that can be debilitating makes you learn ways to do things to live in a place you can be proud of. Here's some tips to help, if you are ever in such a situation - or even if you are not!! 

Physically speaking: 

• Get Rid of useless crap. All it does is clutter stuff up. This is a hard one for me, And I feel like I shouldn't even say this because I'd be a hypocrite, but I am working on it.Every time I get rid of stuff, I tend to get more stuff. I'm learning to say "no" to things that I don't need though. As long as it's not a neon sign or exotic light. I cannot say no to those things. 

 

• Get a Swiffer mop. It's easy to push, it's light, and you can use it's sprayer, or get a spray bottle. The mop comes right off and easily cleans in the washer or by hand. If you have an electric Jazzy or scooter, hold the mop with your hand while scooting around. Presto! (I don't have one of these, but I know someone who does.)
• Use disinfectant wipes. They come right out of the bottle, and clean messes up so fast and easy. Then, just throw it away. No dirty washcloths to rinse out and hang to dry, or put in the washer.
• Never let your sink have dirty dishes! Put them in the dishwasher right away. Rinse first. If you don't have a dishwasher, wash them as you go! If you can't stand doing dishes by hand, use paper plates and cups, and throw them away immediately. Then, take out your garbage. It's best to take them out when the garbage is light then to try to take them all out at once if you have a physical condition.
• Rinse out cans before you recycle or throw them out. You don't want to attract any kind of insects. 
• If you have a garbage disposal, always empty your food items down there every time. 
• Never store stuff under your bed or in cubbies. Dressers are for clothes, not junk. Buy plastic totes if you are not sure where to put stuff. 

 

• Vacuum constantly - at least once every three days. And use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. This will help keep dust down. And, use your vacuum tools to get places you can't get the big sweeper into.
• Never, ever let things get out of hand. Procrastinating about cleaning is the biggest way to start a disaster. Above all, keep your kitchen clean at all times. If there's a mess, take care of it while it's small. Things can get overwhelming if you let things go. And if you see something in the fridge that needs wiped up, wipe it up, before it gets to be too difficult.
• Never let your laundry pile up. Get your laundry done at least once a week. Dirty laundry is not only unsightly, it doesn't smell good, and is honestly just gross. Don't forget your blankets and your sheets.
• Don't pile stuff up in your closets. It's tempting - but if you don't need it, chuck it. This way, if you REALLY need to store something, you have the room. 

Mentally speaking:

• Approach it positively. Play music when it is time to do chores - your favorite song, or something to have a beat going in the house. This is an automatic boost to your morale. 
• Make it fun, somehow. In your mind, make a game out of it. This may seem juvenile, but imagining your vacuum is a giant pulverizing tornado is somewhat power-izing! 
• Make it interesting. And make it you. It doesn't have to be dull and boring! Work with your family if you have one, and think of out-of-the-box ways to make it you. If it's just you, knock yourself out! Make it weird, if you're weird. Make it fun, if you're fun. Making your house you will automatically inspire you to be proud of what you have and keep it looking spiffy. 
• Most of all, when it comes to throwing stuff out, remember - IT IS JUST STUFF. Keep in mind what's important is not what's physical - it's what is spiritual. Attachment to physical stuff can actually stifle spiritual growth if it becomes more important than what really matters. 
• REWARD yourself. Take yourself somewhere fun when you're done. Or relegate your favorite meal or treat to only if you are living to the standards you have set for yourself. 
• Keep in mind THREE WORDS that will change your life: "Responsibility Before Pleasure". Cleanliness is a responsibility. When everything is done with your clean house, then you can feel free to do whatever - without the guilt. 
• Don't procrastinate. Get it done. Make a commitment and force yourself. When you see something you don't like, say to yourself, "Not acceptable", and mean it. When you feel yourself procrastinate, say to yourself, "Do it now, so it won't be there to do tomorrow." 

 
Just some suggestions on keeping a clean home if you aren't in the best of health. Or even if you are! The point is - if you're the type of person that hates the chores - It can be done, with strategy and maintenance and a little bit of re-programming. . A little at a time, clutter-free can also help your mood! And you'll never have to worry when it's time for a visitor to enter your house ever again. You'll be glad you did!