Achieving A Better Work Life Balance in 2020
Collaborative post. Now it’s a new year I want to get a handle on the housework, so I have more time to write. Lots of behind the scenes things I want to work on keep getting neglected because of chores. I find it so difficult working from home because I don’t feel like I can ignore what needs doing even when I have deadlines pressing.
Plus, it’s not ideal for matrimonial harmony, I get a little envious of my husband. He gets to go leave the house and work in an office out of sight of the laundry pile or the rooms that need to be vacuumed. I don’t want 2020 being the year that resentment slowly builds up. Instead I am going to look for some practical solutions to achieve a better work life balance.
I have desperately wanted to boot up my laptop. Especially as it’s the first day back with both my boys at school. A chance for me to catch up after juggling the childcare over the holidays. My boys might be 10 and 12 but they still need supervision! Mainly because they tend to drive each other slowly crazy and argue (a lot!). But so far today I have started my third load of washing! Put two baskets of clothes away, cleaned the budgie’s cage, hoovered, unloaded the dishwasher and wiped down two bathrooms.
The house looks better for it, but my blog gets neglected again. Not the work life balance I hoped for. It’s frustrating as I don’t feel I have it under control. The danger is if I end up not writing in the day, I am left with no choice but to work when the kids go to sleep. Now they are older that seems to be quite late too! Sometimes by then I don’t have the energy or the inclination.
I want to do things a bit differently in 2020 to achieve a better work life balance.
Laundry Service
I am wondering if I use a laundry service it might take the edge off! That should free up some time, so I don’t feel quite like Cinderella. Looking online I love the sound of Laundryheap an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service. I could imagine myself taking advantage of the home pick up laundry service. It would be incredible to get the washing out of the house! I like the convenience of the laundry delivery app, so simple to schedule a collection. If you live in the area they service a driver will come and collect your laundry. I love the sound of it already! No more looking at laundry piles in despair.
Chore List
Hopefully I can look at other ways to get a house cleaning schedule that works better for me. I feel I have been productive, but I know that as soon as everyone gets home the house will be trashed again in no time at all. It can feel overwhelming. I don’t want to do the same again tomorrow, something must give otherwise I feel like all I do is clean. Writing a list can help with the jobs that need doing in each room. Then you can do a little each day to keep on top of it.
For me the most time seems to be spent putting things back in their correct place. I need to rope in the kids and my darling husband to pitch in and help with that. My husband keeps his office in an awful state! I don’t think he has heard of a bin. I think if I left all the sweet wrappers to build up, he might eventually get completely covered up by them!!! But I better not write too much about that or I will only get grumpy!
How do you keep on top of your chores?
Oh these are certain things I need to look at in my life. Thanks for the great tips xx
I do little and often for the general cleaning but always do the chores first that I am most particular about such as the windows, the front door and step and putting things away.
Chores / Housework in the past was ” Women ‘s Work “. There might have been a time when there were clearly marked out / defined / expected roles for Man, Woman, Child. But surely all that :- Man goes out to work, Woman’s work is the home, and children have no responsibilities are long gone.
A home can be a place for the family. Which is a group of individuals. Though they have a link or connection with each other. Surely that should come with Respect for one another, and the house / home. Negotiations are required. Effective communication. As each person needs to be responsible for self and respect space / place / people. As a baby grows into a child he / she learns. So interesting time can become responsible for own bedroom. Perhaps chores if Parents so choose. Adults should be able to do housework, and share the load through negotiation and Respect. If one parent becomes ill, or dies ( these things can and do happen). The other parent can suddenly have to take full / total responsibility.
So, I have encouraged my partner to be able to gain knowledge, skills and experience in housework. So that he is capable, confident, etc. I came across a colleagues who had her children doing their own washing, taking care of their own bedroom, etc from age 12 years. Not how I was raised. But makes sense, as child is maturing. In order to become a capable, independent adult ( good partner opportunity, etc) they need the opportunity to learn through practice and experience. So my attitude and way of life changed. Aiming for all family members to be responsible, respectful and capable in regards to housework. The load is shared, we are a team, and mutually respect one another. We aim to do our best, without loosing perspective. People are important, and should be valued. Material items tend to last longer if taken care of, they don’t last for ever, and all have a financial cost. We have to live on limited finances. So we take care of each other, and our home.