The Cleaning Chronicles
/Let me start off by saying that I really hate cleaning. It’s just a task that I’m forced to do and I don’t like it. I can clean, I know how to clean, I just don’t want to do it–ever. But let’s face it, it has to get done. I actually wrote an entire post earlier today about cleaning and the frustrations associated with trying to maintain a clean house with little ones (plus more) running around and the entire thing deleted. I think you’ll get more from this one, though, since I’m actually in the moment.
I had to stop and give myself a break because I was getting overwhelmed. I’m trying to straighten up and it’s just not working. It’s mess, it’s clutter and it’s just too much. I started off by trying to clear off the dining room table because it has been a major eye sore. You walk into my 2-bedroom apartment and that’s the first thing that catches your eye. Since we returned from vacation, everything has been strewn all over the table–just everywhere. Mail, Aiden’s items, bags, you name it. It’s the middle room, so you have no choice but to pass through it. It’s annoying.
I tried to start there, but I wasn’t getting anywhere. Once I cleared off one thing, it was as though something else appeared. The frustration started to build, so I moved on to the living room. I started folding up the blankets and putting the pillows where they belonged and then I looked over and saw things hidden behind the chairs and immediately I felt like–ugh. Aiden’s toys are everywhere–it’s just A LOT. So here I am, feeling as though I’m going in circles and not accomplishing a damn thing. I give up on these rooms at this point and feel like I’ll have more luck in the kitchen–yeah, right. There aren’t too many dishes in the sink, but the dish rack is full, this table is covered too and there are bulk sized items from BJs taking up so much damn space with nowhere to go at the moment.
Honestly, what am I to do at this point? I’ve had talks with other mommies about cleaning routines that I have found to be helpful, but that’s when it’s actually maintained. Sometimes I FEEL LAZY (I call it relaxing occasionally) and I end up letting it fall aside. My house was spotless when we returned from vacation, but that was almost 2 weeks ago. As soon as we walked through the door on that Thursday, Aiden TRASHED the house. It hasn’t been the same since because we’ve been on the go. Now is the time that I want to get it together, but it’s just too out of order. Yes, I know, “try one room at a time.” It doesn’t matter because honestly, that doesn’t work for me. I’ll get that room clean and it’ll be a mess again tomorrow. All it takes is 10 minutes, y’all–him waking up in the morning and me turning my back for the slightest second. I realize I have an active child and hey, it is what it is. But something has got to give. Eventually, I plan on trying different organization techniques that will at least pull the clutter together or create the “out of sight, out of mind” thing. But for now, I guess I gotta get back to it.
So here’s a few tips from when things were actually working out:
Set your cleaning schedule and stick to it
There’s no point in tidying up the toys while the kid naps–he’s just going to mess it up again as soon as he wakes up (it’ll frustrate you more!)
Do the common areas first, it’ll make you feel better
You can always close the bedroom doors! (Haha)
Sometimes you can’t do it all and need to ask for help–and that’s OKAY!
Share some of your cleaning frustrations, ideas, etc. It will probably help another mommy!