Maybe I'm just not good at completing projects. Maybe I'm too scatter-brained to stick at one job for a long time. But after a week and a half of deep cleaning, I'm done.
Not "done" as in finished with the job. Completion. Just done in. Want to quit.
I'm not sure why. I love the progress I've made. I have all the windows washed except for two and it is a delight to see the sunshine stream in. It is fun to open up a newly organized drawer or closet. I'm glad that I started with my bedroom since it is inspiring to end each day in a sparkly room. I was able to remove some stuff from our house completely - such a freeing feeling.
But for all the effort put forth the past week, there is a lot more to do. I have some stacks labled don't-know-what-to-do-with-it. There is very grimy areas I have not yet touched. And that saying "cleaning with children is like shoveling while it is still snowing?" It is true. The toy-library-craft room is getting worse every day since my attention is on other places. Yesterday there was a giant blanket/pillow house that somehow took stacks and stacks of books to complete. Guess I should have taken the opportunity to dust the bookshelves while the books were on the floor.
And then there is the constant interruptions that mean that I never ever get as much done in a day as I think I should. Somehow there is still laundry to do and meals to make whatever other goals are on the agenda.
So, that his how I feel, but I'm writing this to commit to plowing on. I'm not going to quit yet.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
I have been working rather randomly. (Maybe a mistake but when everything needed clean it seemed ridiculous to make a list.) But this week I am trying to gain some focus by writing down one thing to accomplish each day. I need to make bite-sized goals and celebrate small steps of progress.
So if you are mired down in the middle of a project - whether it is cleaning or something else - remind yourself why you started and what your goal is.
It is okay to feel discouraged. It is even okay to take a break (which I did for a few hours the last two days.) But then jump back into your project. Make a few small doable goals that will push your closer to your final goal. Put on some praise music and work with joy.
A smile makes any job easier.
I feel the same way. I have washed most of the walls..the exception being the backroom where the woodstove is. It also houses boots,coats,etc. and I am not sure where to start. I got the curtains and windows done in all rooms(only to notice a few minutes ago that some nesting birds made a "mess" on one in the aforementioned room). Oh well,we keep trudging on don't we? Let us smile,be joyful,and encourage one another! P.S. at least it is warm enough to open the windows..yay!!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the open windows and breezes too!
DeleteGina
Oh my. I'll bet MOST of us can relate to this post! I remember as a young newly wed, staring at dishes in the sink, and thinking "I can't do this. My life can't be an endless cycle of washing dishes" And then the REAL reality sets in: 'so what is the alternative?"
ReplyDeleteWell....many years have gone by, and I continue to reject the alternative! I choose to keep my head above dirty dishes, dirty laundry, uncut grass and on and on. It is a choice after all, and that sometimes keeps me going.
I agree that short, doable goals work best for me. I don't enjoy housekeeping, so if I get a chore done, I can go on to other things. Getting others to do their part certainly helps! I remember 'training' my new husband not to get a fresh glass every time he wanted a sip of water. Now Im training my grand to pick up after herself (which,as we all know can be more work than doing it ourselves! Signs of progress, such as NOW it only takes half as long for her to clean up after a bath, are encouraging! ) I also agree whole-heartedly that putting on some wonderful praise music is a GREAT tip!!
Thanks for the encouragement! Attitude is so important!
DeleteGina
It sounds like you are doing this alone. My Mom & Dad had us do much of the cleaning, since we 'made most of the mess' according to them. They were right and I could zip through cleaning a floor and had plenty of time for play time. Maybe a team effort would help. And teaching children to put toys away, dust, etc, are great life lessons. I was so proud of the chores I did as a child, helping my Mom. I even remember ironing my brother's shirts as one of my chores. I am so glad for wash and wear now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I probably should be having my children help more. They do a lot of the general clean up (such as that huge blanket house!) But when I'm sorting, organizing, and deep cleaning somehow I think I'm the only one for the job! They have been great help babysitting the little one so I could work (mostly) undistracted. And my daughter has put lunch on the table several times. I really couldn't do it without them. But I'm sure there is much more I should be training them to do. Haven't tackled ironing yet!
DeleteGina
I so understand about 'interruptions', besides ALL the normal, every day duties to perform!! I'd say you're doing a good job!!�� Keep it up!!�� It was good to read this.( I have six boys and one girl- all 12 and under; and I'm trying to get some things done too)
Delete.
So encouraging. Our summer break started this week, and I'm trying hard to get things done around here. But yes... there is still a house full of children, and they make so many more messes while playing versus doing school. And as you mentioned, there are still meals to make and laundry to clean. So... it can feel rather overwhelming at times. But I AM making progress. No matter how slow/small.
ReplyDeleteGina, my husband has gotten after me to clean out my closet for a week now and I have finally gotten time set aside to tackle that challenge. Spring clean, and donate clothes to Goodwill. As I have gone through, little by little - still not done, it is making me feel better to purge unnecessary items or outgrown items. It is a cleansing feeling within. Even though I am not finished with my closet yet, I am excited at the prospect of taking on other areas in the home. Progress is good and I feel successful with knowing/feeling just that. Progress is key! It's all part of the journey....take it in bite size proportions or baby steps. You are wonderful and doing Great!
ReplyDeleteYaay !! I'm not the only one with issues.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these posts. They are an encouragement. For some of us, this business of organizing never comes easy. Years ago I circled Galatians 6:9 in my Bible. It can apply to housecleaning, but it is also a wonderful promise from God to recite to yourself with any ongoing trial of life.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this today. My family and I just moved into a new home and we are in the process of unpacking. Just like you, the first bit got done well and quickly but I hit a wall. There's just so much that still needs to be done, that I didn't seem to be able to pick a chunk to start on. So my husband and I sat down and made a list of concrete jobs that had a beginning and an end. I think this will really help me get things done. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful outlook and it will get done and every year it will get easier until you are like me and the children are gone and it is just the hubby and me, and now and then we laugh and miss the mess. (but not for very long!) There was an old mountain man in our church when I was a little girl who told me a story when I complained about a job - That which does not kill you makes you strong - except for bears, bears will kill you! Trust me remember it and every time you think of it you will laugh! It will not get the cleaning done but it will help your attitude - laughter always does!
ReplyDeleteI understand your mom feelings! I often get so inspired in the spring, and then burn out about cleaning! I made myself long lists of things large and small that I would like to get done, then when planning a days' work, I pick out a few of what is important to me right then. And I try not to count on them getting done! I sure didn't plan to get sick for a week!
ReplyDeleteIt helps me to be ok with the children's messes. For some women this comes more naturally. It's been a learning thing for me. I would just like my house calm and orderly all the time! But I won't trade that for the children, and what saves it for me is evening "Roundup", where just before bedtime, Tony or I announces it's roundup time, and they all go to putting anything away that is out of place. When I know throughout the day that that will happen in the pm, I can make it! I also try hard to keep after them to clean up whatever they do, just clean up after themselves!!
Just a note to say Happy Mother's Day Ms, Gina!! Your commitment to family is a great inspiration to so many!! Trust you are getting lots of love and hugs today...and REST!! Thank you for blessing us all!
ReplyDeleteThank you Grandma Ruth! I enjoyed a wonderful relaxing Sunday afternoon.
DeleteGina
"Guess I should have taken the opportunity to dust the bookshelves while the books were on the floor."
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh saying that! Haven't we all been there?
How about tackling little bits at a time when the kids are in bed? You can get twice as much done in that time!