Tag: Homemaking

  • The LAZY Day Cleaning Routine

    The LAZY Day Cleaning Routine

    A Lazy day? Yes, many of us have been there. Yet some might be wondering what I mean by that.

    A lazy day can be both planned and unplanned.

    A planned inactive day is when you take a day off from the workload you have been tied up with for days.

    While an unscheduled dull time – when you’re fatigued.

    As I said, a lot of us go through laziness. Nothing wrong with that. It’s natural to feel lazy when we are exhausted (thanks to greater responsibilities), stressed, or ill.

    I agree, cleaning can be overwhelming when the mess is huge (since it is labour-intensive).

    But what if it only takes 15 minutes to get the house back in order?

    Then it might sound doable.

    Yes, spending barely 15 minutes of your entire day to get a small portion done ensures your tomorrow is a little comfortable. That you won’t get weighed down with the previous day’s chaos.

    Here’s what you can achieve in just 15 minutes to prevent regret and stress later on after enjoying your lazy day.

    This is a quick 3-step tidy-up routine that can help restore order and peace in your home while still relishing your lazy, relaxing time.

    1| Load/unload dishwasher

    Empty the dishwasher (if you haven’t yet). Load dirty dishes.

    Get the sink cleared of any pots and pans. Wash them quickly and get them out of the way.

    2| 2-minute pickup busy areas:

    Here we are mostly going to focus on the main living areas — the living room and the bedroom.

    Set the timer for 2 minutes per room. Try to round off as much as you can.

    Put away toys in the toy bin.

    Collect dirty laundry in one place.

    Carry a basket/bag with you to collect out-of-place items.

    Quickly straighten up the cushions and blankets on the couch.

    For the bedroom, set the bed.

    3| Sweep/Vacuum:

    Lastly, sweep or vacuum crumbs on the kitchen and living room floor, real quick.

    That’s all.

    If you follow this brief 3-step tidy-up routine, you will no longer regret being lazy.

    In fact, things will be in check. You can get on with your day and won’t have to deal with the older messes.

    You can surely modify this routine to as your tidying tasks preferences.

    Never forget – something is always better than nothing.

    Today’s teeny-tiny steps can prevent things from piling up. It makes sure the workload stays under control and does not intensify.

    Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • How To Get Cleaning Done On Autopilot

    How To Get Cleaning Done On Autopilot

    I always look for ways to get the cleaning done on autopilot. Today, I’m glad to tell you that after years of trial and error, I finally discovered some effective techniques.

    In all sincerity, I’m inclined to clean a little bit every day rather than deep cleaning once in a blue moon.

    I’m always hunting for tips and tricks to help me keep my house clean without even knowing.

    When I first tried this cleaning method, my house-cleaning was done on Autopilot.

    I ensured that I stick to this cleaning method. And as the months went my house looked and felt clean without much effort and thought.

    Also, the need for deep cleaning has been banished.

    Firstly, what does getting cleaning done on autopilot mean?

    You accomplish things on autopilot when you do them without even thinking.

    Automaticity occurs when a certain action is overpracticed or overfamiliarized.

    There are so many things we do on Autopilot every single day. Example: taking a shower, making coffee, checking your phone notifications, etc

    We don’t need to plan or think before doing the foregoing things, right?

    That is because you are experienced in doing these things. Since you’re at ease in doing them, you don’t have to think about them, and they get done on autopilot.

    Similarly, to get cleaning done on autopilot, you need to be seasoned in it. This is possible when you grow used to or get into the habit of cleaning.

    The easiest way to practice cleaning is by following good systems or routines.

    DAILY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    Our home appears fresh and beautiful, besides safe when it is clean.

    Daily cleaning prevents the chance of disease and brings a bright outlook to our lives.

    Yet you don’t have to dust, scrub, wipe, or shine everything every day in your home to keep it clean.

    You just have to focus on a few things daily.

    Wash dishes

    If you own a dishwasher, make sure to load/unload it daily.

    In the case of hand dishwashing, quickly get them done.

    Laundry 

    Do at least one load of laundry every day

    Tidy Up

    This includes bed-making.

    straightening out the couches.

    Putting toys, belongings, mail, and stuff back in their places.

    Remove trash.

    Straighten things up.

    Sweep

    Last but not least, put in just 2 or 5 minutes to sweep/vacuum the busy areas.

    READ: DAILY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    WEEKLY CLEANING CHECKLIST

    Similarly, weekly cleaning can minimize stress and provide comfort, too.

    Along with your daily cleaning routine, spending 10 extra minutes is all you have to do to maintain a clean home.

    Monday

    •  Change sheets  

    Tuesday

    • Dusting

    Wednesday

    • Vacuum/Mop

    Thursday

    • Wipe mirrors, windows, and doors 

    Friday

    • Declutter/rearrange (trouble spots)

    Saturday

    • Empty all garbage bins

    Final Words

    These basic cleaning tasks are powerful enough to keep your home in a better shape.

    If you are someone who wants to have a clean home with minimal effort, this cleaning checklist would be a valuable assistance.

    As long as you stick to it (which is the only way to accomplish it), I can assure you your home will get clean on autopilot.

    Be sure to share your tips, tricks, and thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • How To MAKE YOUR HOME BEAUTIFUL Without Money | DEVOTEE LIFE

    How To MAKE YOUR HOME BEAUTIFUL Without Money | DEVOTEE LIFE

    Well, I think a devotee’s home must be decent over fancy. If you agree, I have a few suggestions to make your home beautiful without money.

    Have my word you’ll love the payoff.

    The main purpose of a devotee’s life is to overcome materialism and lead a God-centered life. To move our focus from materialistic possessions towards spiritual life.

    Even if you’re not a devotee, finding ways to make your home beautiful without money is a good call for the environment and your wallet.

    Speaking of consumerism buying fancy, expensive home decor heads the list.

    But I find neatness more appealing than fancy decor.

    A devotee’s home is keen on serving the Lord. Hence it should be neat, clean, and presentable.

    Despite spending a lot of time and money, we often don’t understand why our home doesn’t look or feel the way we want.


    These points may help you get a better perspective and save time and money.

    HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT MONEY

    1| Clean kitchen countertop:

    Clean dishes drying on a rack. Empty sink. Clutter-free worktops make your kitchen look more beautiful than high-class decor.

    Definitely give it a try and let me know how you feel.

    For me, knick-knacks on the countertop add up to clutter.

    Instead, think outside.

    Try to arrange kitchen tools and appliances in a way that makes them look good and doesn’t create visual clutter.

    2| Clutter-free open spaces:

    The empty surfaces in our home do not necessarily mean storage spaces.

    You left the spot empty for a reason.

    Empty, open spaces provide breathing room to the eyes and calmness to the mind.

    They strike a balance in your home interior, making it more relaxing.

    This time try not to stuff every open space with something. Keep them empty and enjoy the aesthetic look.

    3| A picked-up living room (temple hall):

    After shringar sewa, bhog sewa our next responsibility must be to keep the living room (temple hall) neat and tidy.


    Picking up the room, dusting, sweeping-mopping are highly recommended.

    We need to make sure that the environment in our temple hall is calm and peaceful.

    The above-mentioned tasks are sufficient enough to make your living area look beautiful. No need for expensive stuff.

    4| Minimal decorations:

    Since we have lots and lots of household duties (sevaen) it is advisable to have minimal stuff in your house. So it’s easier to care for.

    Unwanted furniture, clothes, and belongings create chaos in our lives. It’s a sheer waste of time to care for unwanted items.

    Purging unwanted items from time to time is essential.

    Fewer distractions means plenty of time for sewa.

    You can utilise the extra time for Sadhana.

    5| Thorough dry bathroom:

    If you can only give your bathroom 1 minute daily, I suggest wiping it dry.

    A dry bathroom looks way cleaner than a damp one no matter how clean it is.

    Try it for yourself.


    Wipe down the sink area and walls with a dry cloth. And floor with a wiper. That’s all you have to do.

    And if you can spare another 30 seconds to put things back in the cabinets.

    Now relax, you’re fixed for a surprise drop-by.

    6| Good ventilation:

    Moisture can get trapped in the home and foster mold growth. Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom, living room, or bedroom.

    Airing out eliminates indoor pollutants.

    It removes airborne contaminants and promotes fresh air.

    Optimal air quality is great for both physical and emotional well-being.

    It provides a positive atmosphere and makes your home feel beautiful.

    7| Decor pieces that come from nature:

    Another way to set out a serene, cozy ambiance in your home is by bringing the outdoors inside.

    Think air, water, earth, fire.

    Natural components like seashells, flowers, leaves, fruits, pebbles, rocks, stones, water fountains, sunshine, and fresh air.

    8| Repurposed/DIY storage items:

    Give your home that unique touch and personalized accent by finding new uses for old stuff in your home.

    Creating new things out of something old is a nice way to practice resourcefulness and minimize waste.

    With little creativity and thinking out of the box you can own exclusive storage items — furniture, gift/toy boxes, cartons, and so much more.

    You can revamp your space into a peaceful sanctuary with a fresh outlook.

    9| Set bed:

    The bed is the heart of your bedroom.

    You feel gentle and nice when your bed looks, feels, and smells fresh.


    Your family can relax and feel refreshed.

    Folding blankets, straightening pillows and tucking sheets nicely are all you have to do to make your room more restful.

    10| Soil-free entryway:

    Nothing feels bad like a muddy entryway especially for kids or husband coming home after a long day.

    Having a designated place for shoes, quick sweep/spot mop (if you’re pressed for time) can make all the difference.

    Final Words:

    Many times, maintaining stuff you already have and keeping it clean and organized is all you need to make your home look beautiful.

    On the other hand, if you buy expensive stuff but fail to keep it clean and organized your house will look cluttered and messy.

    Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 10 Tips To Keep Your Home CLEAN And ORGANIZED

    10 Tips To Keep Your Home CLEAN And ORGANIZED

    Overwhelmed by a messy, cluttered home? The secret to keeping your home clean & organized all the time is doing a little bit of cleaning and tidying up more often.

    Consistency is key.

    Cleaning and organizing the house is not as scary as it seems.

    What is dreadful is improperly performing the tasks. Since inaccurate methods can only make cleaning or tidying jobs — lengthy, laborious, difficult, and time-consuming.

    For me, cleaning is fun when it is short and sweet. Meaning, that it takes less time and minimal effort.

    I love dusting when everything gets clean in just one swipe; washing a few dishes; doing a small load of laundry; and mopping floors without special efforts to scrub dried-up spots and spills.

    Because, then it’s easier to clean and takes little time.

    How do you get to this point? By doing things regularly.

    Today I’m sharing the top 10 habits that help me keep my home clean and organized (all the time).

    These powerful habits have worked wonders for me. They have made cleaning and tidying the home a breeze.

    I practice these tips and tricks daily so it never gets to the point when my home desperately needs cleaning or deep cleaning.

    10 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN AND ORGANIZED ALL THE TIME

    1| Declutter every now and then:

    Whether you notice or not cluttered, unorganized spaces cause a lot of stress and anxiety.

    Decluttering is a powerful habit that provides clarity.

    Including the many health benefits decluttering is great for your mental health.

    Decluttering from time to time essentially reduces chaos and frees up physical space.

    It allows better organization and brings peace.

    Decluttering increases productivity.

    Decluttering may seem daunting in the beginning or after a prolonged time. But when you get started, set attainable goals, and keep at it every so often it is rewarding.

    Purging unnecessary items once or twice a month for 15-20 minutes is a good place to start.

    2| Do one load of laundry:

    Doing at least one load of laundry daily is a wise thing to do to prevent mountains of dirty washing.

    If not more, washing daily wear, underwear, activewear, socks, towels, and dish towels can make a huge difference. It is not advisable to keep sweaty, stinky, stained clothes for a longer time.

    It takes 5-10 minutes to sort clothes, wash, dry, fold, and put away but it makes a considerable difference.

    3| Make beds:

    I love to straighten up my bed foremost every morning.

    In India, we are taught this in childhood. So it’s a deeply ingrained habit.

    Making bed first thing in the morning provides a sense of accomplishment. It sets you up in the right mindset.

    It not only promotes cleanliness but also enhances mood and productivity.

    4| Tidy up entryway:

    The entryway is the first impression of your place and so it shouldn’t be neglected.

    This super simple task takes as little as 2 minutes but can make your home look neat and clean.

    The simple action of getting rid of unwanted stuff, wiping down surfaces, having a good storage system, and setting up some rules for people in your family can make all the difference.

    5| 10-minute kitchen clean up:

    Honestly, if you determine you can finish your daily kitchen clean-up in under 10 minutes.

    Yes, you heard it right.

    Putting things away once you finish cooking, wiping spills and spots, wiping down surfaces and appliances, loading/unloading the dishwasher, and shining your sink can be done in a bit.

    If you set the timer every night and move around quickly, you can get your kitchen back in order in minutes.

    6| Speed dust one area:

    Dusting was a pain for me before I discovered how to speed dust.

    With the right tools and methods, you can master speed dusting.

    You just need appropriate cleaning tools and solutions (all-purpose cleaners).

    If you want to speed dust you have to do it daily or on alternate days depending on the situation.

    Check out my earlier article to learn the easiest way to speed dust your home.

    7| Vacuum key areas:

    Vacuuming is important in maintaining a clean and inviting place.

    With tons of germs, skin cells, hair, food particles, and dirt accumulating vacuuming high-traffic areas often becomes crucial from a health point of view. Neglecting this important cleaning step can cause a foul odor.

    The rooms you tend to spend more time in — living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining area should be vacuumed regularly.

    Again if you’re doing it frequently it won’t take you more than 5 minutes.

    8| Tidy up the bathroom:

    Bathroom cleaning is an annoying task for many of us.

    Because of its moisture content, it is the complete spot for bacterial growth and is considered the dirtiest place.

    Since deep cleaning isn’t possible daily tidying up a little bit helps to keep it fresh, clean, and germ-free.

    The chances of having molds and mildew (harmful to health) are higher when there is a longer gap between deep cleaning.

    Daily swishing and swiping your bathroom ensures a lower risk of infections and sickness.

    9| Empty trash:

    Garbage left for longer decomposes and causes harm. It is a breeding ground for bacteria.

    A 1-2 minute task of emptying the trash regularly is essential to keeping a clean and healthy environment.

    Doing this removes all the nasty odors in your home, prevents insects/pests, and keeps it smelling fresh.

    10| Neaten one trouble zone:

    Zone cleaning for a few minutes a day can be life-saving.

    It is important to keep your home clean and organized all the time.

    Many trouble areas in our home need special attention.

    When we cannot set up good storage solutions, certain areas in our homes get out of control. And over time they become a trouble zone.

    Devoting just 5-10 minutes a day can help transform the place.

    Set the timer for 5-10 minutes. Tackle one small area at a time or divide bigger tasks into little parts so that it’s easier for you.

    Final words:

    With these simple steps, you can keep your home clean and organized all the time.

    What I have learned through years of experience is that —  when you carry out the same tasks regularly, over and over again they become a breeze.

    Because when you clean an already clean space you don’t need to clean it you just have to MAINTAIN it. Maintenance is always much easier than cleaning/deep cleaning.

    Focus on rhythm (regularity).

    So to keep your home clean and organized (all the time) you must focus on repetition rather than heavy labor.

    Even if you’re a beginner, I suggest following these tips and tricks. Don’t go all out. Start small. Begin with these steps and get your home in order first then tackle big projects.

    Be sure to share your tips and tricks in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • 6 Homemaking Skills To Become An Efficient Homemaker

    6 Homemaking Skills To Become An Efficient Homemaker

     Homemakers’ aspirations to own a clean, organized home, and create a sanctuary for their loved ones are massive. We want to make a warm, cozy haven for our family they can relish. We work hard yet we experience some incompleteness. Often it is not 100 percent of what we want or desire. If you notice carefully — what is lacking is proper skills. Creating a sanctuary definitely involves some skills. Today, let’s talk about some crucial homemaking skills that’ll help you become the efficient homemaker you always wanted to be.

    First things first.

    Honestly carving out time to learn new qualities is challenging amidst today’s busy life. You should be willing enough to invest your time in learning homemaking skills if you’re a beginner.

    Yes, if learning new skills was not an investment, no wonder grand businesses devoted their time, energy, and money to training their employees.

    They make that effort because they know skilled individuals work more efficiently. They produce better results.

    To accomplish a task effectively in less time, you should know better techniques to get it done faster and better. Learning new skills helps you achieve that.

    6 Homemaking Skills To Become An Efficient Homemaker

    Homemaking skill #1 Cooking from scratch:

    There’s no denying convenience food is super comfy. But we all know it comes at the cost of our health.

    simpleinspiredblog.com25
    Homemade Falafel with Hummus

    There’s hardly anyone who does not appreciate a warm, delicious home-cooked meal? We love it. But when it’s actually time to cook meals most of us throw up our hands.

    There are some sound reasons you forgo your hearty (scratch-made) meal and prefer convenience food or takeout.

    A bunch of reasons I come across are — maybe you’re time-challenged, you dread cleaning all the mess, you’re inexperienced/new to cooking, or the already cluttered/messy kitchen doesn’t allow you to cook.

    simpleinspiredblog.com52

    You know what, each case cries — lack of skills.

    I believe cooking from scratch is a crucial homemaking skill every human should master. You can’t eat raw plants or meat & survive if you ever get caught up in a pandemic-like situation where convenience food is hardly available.

    Also, no more waiting to eat at your favorite restaurant. With a few favorite ingredients in your pantry/refrigerator, you can create personalized food in the comfort of your home. It won’t even take much time/effort to put up a yummy meal (in no time).

    simpleinspiredblog.com
    Simple home-cooked meal – (Left-Right upper) Dal (lentil Dish), Aloo Gobi Matar Sabzi (Potato-Cauliflower-Green Peas dish), Rice Papad (Wafer) (Left-Right Lower) Chapati (Wheat Flat Bread) and Plain Rice.

    Not convinced yet why you must learn cooking skills, check out this article 6 Reasons You Should Start Cooking From Scratch Today

    If you’re a beginner and need help with cooking, you might find this post helpful 30 BEST Cooking Tips To Make Your Everyday Meals Flavourful

    If clean-up is something that holds you back from preparing yummy food for your family my article on How To Clean Your Kitchen In 10 Minutes or Less! Will have you covered.

    Homemaking skill #2 Gardening:

    For me, plants equal lots and lots of positivity and happiness.

    This homemaking skill provides fresh produce and clean air.

    It’s the most straightforward way to make your place appealing, eat healthily, save a lot of money, and better life.

    Caring for or communicating with plants is sure to improve your mood. Therefore the quality of your life. Many studies say a green environment relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, and calms you down.

    Besides being a good low-moderate exercise growing your own fruits and vegetables can help you eat a lot healthier.

    Growing our own food, especially using traditional methods is great for Mother Nature as it keeps the soil fertile.

    Watching your own plants grow is a blessing. More specifically because they’re alive.

    Homemaking skill #3 Sewing:

    Gone are the days when people used to sew/mend things and use them until they actually wore out.

    I’m terribly bad at this homemaking skill.
    But I understand it’s worth learning.

    I may not say stitching your own dresses. But yes little mends and alterations for sure.

    It is a helpful skill to make the most of our pre-existing items that require small, basic fixes to extend life.

    You can help your husband or kids with some small mending; stitch your exclusive table mats/runners/curtains/cushions etc if you want to take it further.

    You can easily alter clothes and make them fit better. Use special techniques to jazz up ordinary outfits and make them entirely different and unique pieces. That also means a unique wardrobe.

    Sewing skills can be your side hustle and make you good money too.

    Homemaking skill #4 Cleaning, organizing & decorating:

    People usually don’t consider but this is such an important homemaking skill one should master.

    Social media these days demands attractive, picture-perfect homes. And we all know how much money cleaning companies, professional organizers, and interior decorators charge these days.

    Plus, you’re hardly one hundred percent satisfied with their job no matter how big names you go with.

    But if you learn some cleaning tips and tricks, find good enough ways to organize your stuff, and know the basics of home decor, you, my lovelies can make your home as good as or even better than any professionals.

    I’m saying this confidently because only you (and no one else) can make better choices for your home. No one would understand your family’s likes and dislikes much as you do.

    Since, we know what each and every person in our family likes and prefers — colors, materials, styles; which professionals can hardly understand.

    Cleaning, organizing, and decorating is a great way to give your house a fresh and neat look.

    It is a wonderful process to transform your home into a sanctuary.

    Homemaking skill #5 Sustainability:

    Again not talking about big things here.

    Simple steps like making our own cleaning products, reducing waste, upcycling/reusing items, and making multiple uses can make a huge difference.

    These are small ways of getting control over your life.

    Making something with your own hands is an act of self-growth.

    It is a way to say no to social norms and discover your potential.

    It’ll help you develop a strong personality and help you in times of difficulty.

    Again you can enjoy unique products and stuff. And feel good about yourself.

    Homemaking skill #6 Living below your means:

    Another amazing homemaking skill that’ll make your life so much better.

    I have listed this skill because most homemakers are living on a single income. So it is a great homemaking skill we must master.

    Besides improving finances and getting yourself prepared for emergencies, it can lower your stress and anxiety.

    It is a wonderful way we can assist our husband’s hard work and lower his stress (which he will appreciate).

    Simply downsizing, budgeting, keeping track of your daily expenses, and eliminating useless expenses, are great ways to instantly improve your financial situation.

    Final words:

    These are some crucial homemaking skills you should consider to become an efficient homemaker.

    Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • How To Treat Homemaking Like A Job

    How To Treat Homemaking Like A Job

    How to treat homemaking like a job is a common question among homemakers.

    Maybe for a couple of reasons.

    One, we sense the absence of determination, obedience, and commitment to homemaking. Two, homemakers are discredited in our society.

    How many times have you heard

    “oh, you’re JUST a homemaker”,

    “oh, you just stay home” or

    “she’s not independent?

    Even worse in my case — my relative said to someone in my face, “She’s educated but doesn’t earn money”.

    I mean, what kind of view is this?

    But yes, the point is, it is their view. We shouldn’t even bother.

    I absolutely have no value for such views/opinions. It’s our life and we have the power and authority to decide for ourselves.

    That being said, it may be affecting us at some point when people behave like that so we thought we treat homemaking like a job.

    We must treat homemaking like a job to hold ourselves accountable and feel better about our role as homemakers.

    What I find is people’s negative impression of homemakers isn’t because of the job title but mainly because they think we sit idly at home.

    It’s a universal truth that only hardworking beings are approved by society.

    You can’t be happy if you don’t produce.

    You’re happy, content, and confident when you work hard. And that reflects in your attitude.

    Homemakers who put in work, earn respect.

    Homemaking is a calling. It’s a blessing. I love being a homemaker because I love to stay home, cook, clean, and care for my husband. I enjoy blogging because I’m able to do it from home.

    However, I should not treat unfairly this beautiful role God has gifted me.

    As we saw in the earlier post, we have many responsibilities as a homemaker. We must ensure those are fulfilled. This can be easily done by treating homemaking like a job.

    What makes someone successful in a career? Their passion, discipline, hard work, consistency, and patience. In short, sound work ethics make a person successful in their career.

    But when it comes to homemaking we hardly take it seriously.

    We disregard our job before anyone else.

    It’s high time that people belittle us, homemakers. Some significant changes are necessary on our part.

    HOW TO TREAT HOMEMAKING LIKE A JOB

    1| Know your purpose/why:

    Being successful in a career means knowing and chasing your passion.

    It means developing powerful habits and acquiring knowledge along with an optimistic outlook that makes you more efficient at work.

    The same goes for homemaking. You need to be so passionate that people start respecting your job.

    But before that, know if homemaking is for you?

    You’re only going to enjoy something if you are passionate about it.

    You are likely to do better at things you enjoy.

    If homemaking is something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

    2| Value your calling:

    In a professional job, you’re aware of what your employer is seeking.

    To achieve success at work, you have to work hard. And efficiently fulfill duties listed in your job description.

    You learn the mission and goals of the organization. And do your utmost to achieve the goals and help the business attain its mission.

    In the same manner, first, be aware of what is expected of your role as a homemaker.

    Then learn the required skills that help you be successful at homekeeping.

    Have a goal.

    Write down the current situation of your house.

    Rate your house on a bar of 1-10, with 1 being filthy and 10 being germ-free.

    Note down how many times a week do you cook at home? How much time do you spend with your family?

    Write out how you expect your home to be. Create an action plan and be your best.

    3| Master your time:

    Successful career women manage their time effectively.

    They plan out their workday — the night before. And prioritize the critical tasks.

    They know their official work timings (9 to 5).

    Working women wake up early &e follow a routine

    Do everything for your home that you would do for your career/profession. This will take your homemaking to another level.

    Simply by rising early and having a productive morning routine, you can finish your housework (that is – kitchen swept post breakfast, laundry hung up to dry, house neatened, yourself dressed up) by 9-9: 30 a.m.

    Your reward would be — plenty of free time (except a little bit for dinner preparation) for important work or things you enjoy.

    By breaking down cleaning, decluttering, or organizing projects into small workable parts, minimizing pastimes, learning to say no, and establishing routines, you can master your time pretty well.

    4| Set goals:

    One of the most profitable things one can do for your career is to set realistic goals.

    So if you ask me, my homemaking goals are short-term as well as long-term.

    The short-term goals consist of something like starting my day early, being consistent with my cleaning routines, preparing nourishing meals on time, cutting grocery costs, sticking to a budget, and decluttering and organizing one shelf/drawer every day.

    My long-term goals involve being productive, bringing more value, holding myself accountable, engaging in creating a sanctuary, and learning new homemaking skills.

    5| Learn new skills:

    Whether you’re a seasoned homemaker or just stepped into homemaking, there are plenty of skills that help you become a better homemaker.

    It can be cooking, baking, canning, preserving, cleaning specific items, home decor, sewing, or gardening.

    The more skilled you are the more homemaking becomes simple and enjoyable.

    6| Learn & implement new techniques:

    The core element of success is life-long learning.

    Your prospects for growth increase when you’re determined to learn new things.

    If you admire a homemaker and wish to take her as a model, look for skills she has that you can learn. Program time.

    Check out Google. Find courses online.

    Pick something that brings you opportunities for home-based business/service.

    7| Dress appropriately:

    We know how corporate women invest a lot of their time and money in their looks.

    What’s holding us, homemakers?

    PJ’s is a big no-no for homemakers too.

    Much like the corporate world, homemakers must have a dress code too that matches their work environment. And that definitely is not your pj’s.

    Look for something comfy yet dressy to wear all day.

    And please feel free to wear your big-budget outfit on some days too.

    You don’t need a special occasion to feel your best.

    8| Embrace an optimistic mindset:

    Start feeling confident; feeling worthy of your position/job title – homemaker.

    Recognize your role and prove the non-financial value that you bring through homemaking.

    Be confident that even if you’re not bringing in income, you are giving your family your time (more valuable than money). You’re ensuring your family’s good health and happiness, helping them pursue their passion, creating a place of comfort, and caring for them.

    Keep an optimistic attitude and others will respect your role as a homemaker.

    9| Maintain work-life balance:

    Homemaking demands can dominate all our lives.

    Though you stay home, housework can consume a lot of your time.

    You need to carve time for your family or else it would never be.

    Referring to homemaking, it is always better to choose quality over quantity.

    Steadiness and composure are a must for your sanity.

    Carving out a little time to exercise, meditate, or watch a favorite show is important to make yourself feel better. A short vacation can help you recharge mentally as well as physically.

    As we talked about earlier, setting working hours means deciding on work duration. How long you’re going to work (when you start working and when wrap up), setting hours for housework is crucial to regard your work boundaries and expectations.

    10| Act professionally:

    If you want to be a successful homemaker, take charge of your victories and failures.

    Celebrate your accomplishments and explore them in the future.

    Accept failures without letting them dishonor you. Learn from your mistakes.

    Read books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. Develop good communication skills.

    Come up with new ideas and solutions for your family members.

    Widen your emotional intelligence.

    Final Words:

    Treating homemaking like a job is easier with these quick tips.

    Know why you’re into homemaking.

    Value your work.

    Be a timely person.

    Set achievable goals.

    Upgrade yourself.

    Be a learner.

    Get dressed.

    Have a positive vision.

    Balance your work life.

    Be artful.

    By being affectionate, determined, and intentional you can master the art of homemaking.

    If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below. Be sure to share your homemaking tips and tricks and I would love to share them in ‘Homemaking Tips Part 2’ with credits. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

    PIN FOR LATER

    How To Treat Homemaking Like A Job

  • Slow Down And Enjoy Homemaking (JUST AS GRANDMA DID)

    Slow Down And Enjoy Homemaking (JUST AS GRANDMA DID)

    I know, today’s life is too busy being a working mom, work-at-home/stay-at-home mom. We remember our grandma fulfilled these roles too. Yet her life never seemed to be so busy or stressful. She, indeed, moved through the duties with effortless grace. What was the heart of success? Today let’s deep dive and learn how to slow down and enjoy homemaking like grandma.

    Today I’m talking about my maternal grandma (a single, working mom of 3 kids, my mom lost her dad when she was 2) and my paternal grandma (stay-at-home mom of 5). So, we can get an idea of both lifestyles.

    Ever thought if grandma needed a weekly off?

    A self-care routine?

    A reward for her hard work?

    The latest and greatest piece of home accessories?

    The newest cleaning tool or appliance in the market?

    By no means.

    She was all around 24×7.

    Her work was her reward in itself.

    She created decor pieces with her own hands.

    Her cleaning tools were her hands, cloth rags, a bucket of water, or whatever little she got.

    Still, her home was warm and pleasant, and she was loving and kind.

    The keys were ideas, techniques, efforts, patience, and lots of love that went into making a home.

    SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY HOMEMAKING JUST AS GRANDMA DID

    SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY HOMEMAKING JUST AS GRANDMA DID

    The power of routines:

    Even now I can tell — my grandma woke up at 5:30 a.m. and my maternal grandma at 3:00 a.m. As I said before she was working outside of the home. They would take showers as soon as they woke up. Just before anyone in the family wakes up.

    Before 8 a.m. the breakfast was wiped away. And the laundry hung out to dry before 8:30 a.m. (they used to wash and dry laundry manually). Of course, my cousin would help her.

    Just so you know, the laundry process involved soaking clothes in warm water with little detergent for half an hour. Then, they would soap and scrub each section of the clothing. They did that for every piece of laundry. After that, they would rinse every piece of clothing in 2-3 buckets of water until the clothes come out soap-free and clean.

    For dishes, they would scrape off the food of the dishes. Take water in a small container and a bucket. Soap the dishes, put them in a small water container, dip them in the bucket (for final rinse), and place them in the drainer.

    Then she would tidy up (do the dusting, pick up, straighten up, and sweep the floors) the house and head out for groceries.

    She would walk to the market, chitchat with her friends (either she would go with her friends or they would meet along the way), and head back home around 10:15 a.m.

    Then she would cut fruits, make lime juice, or give the snacks she had picked up on her way home.

    She would then start preparing lunch, cooking everything from scratch. The meals were elaborate and it took her time (an hour and a half) to cook for 6-7 of us. She kneaded fresh dough (every time) to make — wheat/rice/ragi flatbread, steamed rice, legumes curry, vegetable side dish, fried items, and 3-4 accompaniments (pickles, sauces, salads, raitas). And yes my cousin or someone would help her a bit.

    After that, we would eat lunch together. Post-meal she would do the dishes, leave them to air dry, and tidy up the kitchen quickly.

    Then it was spare time for grandma. She would do knitting, sewing, preserving, and canning alongside her favorite TV show.

    As you can see, I am still able to tell her routine. I still remember what my mom would do at a precise time.

    But, I couldn’t tell what my own routine was a few years ago before I started my morning and evening routine.

    That’s because their lives and routines were steady and predictable.

    They had a daily rhythm.

    Grandma’s life may seem mainstream but they were the happiest and most stress-free people.

    The secret to this harmonious state was that their life was on autopilot.

    They were seasoned in carrying out the same duties every day.

    Their routines were the cornerstones.

    So, the secret to enjoying homemaking lies in simple-to-follow routines.

    Limit pass time:

    People back in the day cherished TIME.

    They adored their mornings; esteemed their evenings; treasured festivities and events.

    My maternal grandmother didn’t have the luxury of watching TV.

    She was a very hardworking lady.

    Devoted to raising good children as a single mom. My mom and her siblings were too young when they lost their father.

    Always on her toes, Grandma never believed in getting rest even for a little while.

    She would clean something, make snacks/sweets/specialty food, or read scriptures in her spare moments.

    TV and radio devices were the only forms of entertainment in those days. People were updated with the news and songs. But that was just a tiny little part during dinner time.

    This might sound harsh but truth to tell — today we’ve too many distractions.

    We have the same 24 hours as Grandma.

    She had the same number or even more children.

    She didn’t have as many modern conveniences as today.

    Even then, she outperformed us.

    And here we are getting tired and stressed doing just half her work. That too with fancy appliances.

    Is this fatigue from too much work or simply because we’re exhausting our mental energy without even noticing it.

    All the decision-making — what to wear, what to cook, how to decorate, how to clean, different kids’ activities, matching the standards, higher self-expectations, all the rush — are depleting our energy.

    This is the main reason for stress; which is considered normal today.

    We hate doing housework because we want to relax and spend our time on social media, shopping online, or watching our favorite stuff on TV, or the internet.

    We spend hours in front of our devices and then rush through our daily duties, criticizing our lives and roles as homemakers.

    Why do we need shortcuts to clean, cook, or do our duties?

    What’s the rush?

    Why so laziness and distaste for homemaking?

    Read: 5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    Deep cleaning=family project:

    People back in the day deep-cleaned their homes once or twice a year.

    Deep cleaning was done during festive times. Everyone (from kids to seniors) was involved and given tasks they can manage well.

    It was a huge family event.

    Between the two deep cleaning sessions, Grandma would wash all the bedding, and quilts (in summer) or sun-dry the mattresses, wash all the utensils/containers, and clean the cabinets or do the required cleaning.

    But other stuff was included only in deep cleaning.

    That freed up her time. The daily and weekly cleaning only needed to be taken care of.

    We can follow this in our life too if we are willing to give up on the idea of picture-perfect homes.

    The cleaning standards and requirements grew lately when people started displaying their ideal homes online.

    You could lower the bar and enjoy homemaking just as Grandma did.

    Another thing is to involve everyone.

    We used to help our mom and grandma bring in plates and cups for dinner and help them clear the table after finishing (P.S. We used stainless steel plates and cups which are unbreakable), and help her fold and put back clothes in the cupboards.

    We also sweep and mop as grown-ups.

    That’s why I mentioned above why my cousin would help Grandma too.

    You can have your family members help you as well.

    This will help train your kids and develop an interest in housework at a young age.

    Embrace imperfections:

    People in the former times cared less about their homes and appearances.

    They hardly bothered if the house was guest-ready, or if they had the best food to serve the guests.

    They would welcome people with warm hearts and serve with love.

    In those days you could feel comfortable visiting any of your friends or relatives without prior notice and no one would mind.

    And you could make yourself feel at home even in their ‘not-so-well-kept home.

    Surprisingly these things seem far off today. We now, visit our close ones to judge them, compare with them, and not share a good bond.

    Grandma never bothered if her home was up to the mark.

    She was busy making the guests feel comfortable, asking about their well-being, and serving them the best food.

    We can implement this by just letting go of perfection.

    If you keep up with your daily cleaning routine your home will be a pretty welcoming place and you’ll not have to worry about it.

    You can then focus on attending to your guests — fun and positive talks, simple homemade food, and an attentive ear. And have a good time with them.

    Next time you have a company coming over don’t beat yourself up. Just try to stay on top of your cleaning routines, forget about the home, connect with the guests, and make your best memories.

    Final words:

    Just slow down and appreciate your role.

    I believe it’s the greatest role of all. Give your family the love and care they await.

    Savor every moment as you perform your duties with your own hands.

    Learn to create a balance.

    There will be more days of a mad rush but be sure to make your home a calm place in the thick of it.

    Take time to stop and smell the roses.

    Truly enjoy your work — create tasty meals, provide fresh laundry, give the dishes thorough wash with hands, and tidy up the living place.

    Do everything with love. There’s no satisfaction like working with your hands!

    We’re fortunate to be blessed with this role of a homemaker. Focus on being a ‘loving mom/wife’ than a ‘perfect mom/wife’.

    Leave a warm print on everyone’s heart as Grandma did.

    Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • The Secret To Staying On Top Of Homemaking

    The Secret To Staying On Top Of Homemaking

    Today’s fast and furious life has made staying on top of homemaking harder.

    Relax, there’s a better way!

    Juggling between work, home, and family is a challenging job. Full of ups and downs. Some days you’re more productive, you — rest well, spend good alone time, eat a healthy breakfast, and make sure everything goes as per plan. Other days are about rushing the soccer day, running errands, or doing church activities.

    One day you’re out for a cause and your house is intolerable. What if you have side hustles or have to be out a few times a week – can you live in your house?

    Will you have something in place to feed your kids when they get home from school/activities? Can you cook today’s meal on top of the mess from the previous night? Will you have a clean pair of work clothes in your closet? Could you find things easily before leaving for the office?

    This is how things spiral out of control.

    If you’re planning to attend an event, without prioritizing and getting your daily-havetos done, thinking you’ll get to it later, you’re setting up yourself for bigger and worsened chaos when you get home.

    How do we get everyone on board?

    What’s the secret, the magical potion to stay on top of homemaking regardless of whether or not you’re a working mom.

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING

    And the secret is:

    — GETTING YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLE TASKS DONE AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR DAY.

    What are the non-negotiable tasks?

    There are a few household tasks that can directly affect our day-to-day living.

    Like, you cannot cook in a messy kitchen. This makes dishwashing & tidying a non-negotiable task.

    The dirty washing is all over the place because your washer and laundry basket are flooded with the older washing or there are still clothes in the dryer — making laundry a daily-haveto task.

    Everyone will have their own set of non-negotiable tasks. These tasks won’t make your home super clean but homey. And put you at ease knowing that your most significant tasks of the day are done.

    Keeping up with your daily havetos will ensure  — you have a clean kitchen and living space, a fresh pair of clothes, and everything in place, readily available.

    Related:

    One Simple Trick That’ll Transform Your Homekeeping

     5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    As for me, the daily-havetos are having dinner made, breakfast wiped, house picked, and floors swept. I can still manage to give laundry a miss for a day or two.

    So, in case I get an unexpected call from my friends, parents, or in-laws asking me to accompany them somewhere, important or casual:

    I’ll take 30-35 minutes before I leave to quickly throw some rice, and veggies into the pressure cooker (10-15 minutes).

    THE SECRET TO STAYING ON TOP OF HOMEMAKING
    My lifesaving one-pot meal recipe. Super healthy and tastes delicious!

    Speedily clean the dishes and counters (10 minutes).

    Do a quick pickup (5 minutes).

    And sweep the floors real quick (5 minutes).

    I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to return to an orderly home with a meal ready to satiate your hunger.

    You guys, try it and let me know. You’re going to love it, I promise.

    Steps to do this:

    • Jot down 4 of your non-negotiable tasks in the order of their prominence. Duties that have the biggest, most prompt impact on your house. These tasks would have your home functioning smoothly as well as allow you to slow down and relax.
    • Every day, try to get these 4 tasks done in the first one or two hours of your day. Remember, these are your daily-havetos, so learn to do them quickly and well.
    • Identify how much time it takes to get your non-negotiable tasks done. And allot that much time to those tasks only. In between, avoid any deep cleaning and ignore all the messes no matter how noticeable they are. For the moment, focus on your non-negotiable tasks only.
    • Include a 5-minute pickup for the widely-used parts of your home to achieve remarkable results.

    With a planned outing or an unexpected one, while having someone over; on your office day off, on a sick day, or working outside or at home, in all instances — make sure to get your non-negotiable tasks done. And you’ll be well on your way to staying on top of homemaking.

    Final words:

    With this one secret, you can succeed in staying on top of your homemaking like never before. Yes, even on a busy day, regardless of how crazy life is. Accomplishing your daily-havetos will maintain your home between the deep cleaning sessions and keep it presentable and guest-ready.

    Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homekeeping!

    To keep up with my new blog posts follow simpleinspiredblog on Pinterest.

  • How To Create A Laundry System That Works

    How To Create A Laundry System That Works

    Drowning in the laundry? Does the laundry mountain keep growing despite the implementation of a good few hacks? There’s a big chance of you using a laundry system that isn’t working for you.

    Miss a day or two of doing the laundry and you have the washer jam-packed with this monstrous pile of washing; some more overflowing the hamper. Plus, clean laundry is all over the place.

    Where did you get that? You wonder.

    All of that is a great sign of a terribly managed laundry system.

    We’ve hundreds of different views about the laundry system. Everyone has their unique solution.

    Our family size, occupation, execution of the system, and amount of assistance all play a part in the effectiveness of our laundry system. Now, how do you find a better method?

    A laundry routine consists of – washing, drying, and PUTTING AWAY clothes. Failure to attain even one of these can cause the entire process to crumble.

    Not only that but looking at the big picture, the entire functioning of your house could be affected simply by failing to do the laundry.

    How To Create A Laundry System That Works For You

    Today let’s take on this major chore and figure out how to create a laundry system that really works for you.

    HOW TO CREATE A LAUNDRY SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR YOU

    Establish a sorting system:

    Have a basket assigned to each one of your family members. Kids should have their own laundry basket too. They should be encouraged to sort and put their dirty washing in their designated basket.

    Play around with colors, and numbers as you have them sort their clothes.

    Another way is having baskets with labels for sorting clothes by muddiness, color, fabric, usage, weight – heavier/lighter fabric, etc. Like one basket for whites and another for dark clothes.

    Set up everything beforehand:

    Sort the clothes. Pretreat the whites or stained clothes.

    Soak denim/sheets/linens in warm water with a little detergent the previous night.

    Load washer.

    This will help you set the pace. 

    Daily or weekly routine

    Some people prefer daily, others weekly.

    Instead of arguing about the correct way, let’s find a balance between the two.

    I do laundry every single day.

    I recommend no less than twice weekly.

    • Home wear, underclothes, towels, and sheets/bedcovering on weekdays as they don’t need much care.
    • Office wear/delicate clothing (that needs special handling) on weekends.

    Feel free to wash linens/sheets and towels with your regular clothing. If you wash them regularly, they don’t need presoaking/pretreating.

    That way, you won’t have to wait until the weekend for a fresh pair of underwear.

    And unnecessarily worry about the massive load of laundry on the weekend.

    Additionally, if that moderates even one load of washing and putting away, if not more, you can utilize that time to complete ironing on the same day (weekend).

    Your laundry routine will also depend on the size of your family. A large family must do at least one load daily to prevent a mountain of laundry.

    Read: How To Get Motivated To Clean

    Consider the size of the load:

    The user manual states the capacity of your washing machine. It can help you determine the size/weight of your wash load.

    Follow the instructions carefully to optimize the results.

    A big wash load will prevent the flow of the wash cycle. Clothes won’t come out as clean as intended.

    A smaller load will cost you more referring to — soap, hot water, and electric power usage.

    Moderateness is the key.

    Line dry:

    Line drying will save the dryer time.

    A big pile can easily be hung in one go.

    When the weather doesn’t permit hanging clothes outside, these racks seem practical and cost-efficient.

    put away the clean clothes immediately:

    I know the likelihood of assuming I’ll fold all the clothes (together) at the end.

    But folding all 6-7 loads jointly will make it more challenging.

    And if you only want to get it done altogether in the end, you can have your kids fold with you.

    Another basket for clean clothes:

    Don’t have time to put away clean clothes?

    It is understood. Things get in the way.

    Keep a separate basket to fold & put the clean laundry as you take them off.

    Rather than throwing clean laundry on a chair (which your kids might scatter sooner or later), fold and stack it nicely in a basket so that it’s easier for you to arrange later.

    Another useful idea is to keep a small container around the washer to collect small objects pulled from the pockets before putting clothes into the washer.

    Iron only if necessary:

    One of my high school friends used to iron her underwear too.

    I mean, really?

    The point is, depending on the texture, usage, and occasion see if ironing is required.

    If it’s truly necessary do not hesitate to reschedule it for a Monday evening.

    Final words:

    This simplest laundry system has helped me tame the laundry monster and reduce chaos. It makes me feel in control of things.

    What laundry system do you follow? Don’t forget to share it with me in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Cleaning!

  • One Simple Trick That’ll Transform Your Homemaking

    One Simple Trick That’ll Transform Your Homemaking

    You know the drill of a hectic life. Kids, chores, meals, guests, and making ends meet can leave you tired to the bones. However, there’s one simple trick that’ll transform your homemaking.

    Most often, simple tricks add greater value to life. Yet we continue to remain unmindful of such extremely effective strategies. This misconduct keeps us from taking the lead in keeping our home.

    How frequently do you recheck if the window glass is squeaky clean, wonder if you’ve disinfected the surfaces perfectly, whether the toiletries are lined up in symmetry, and the supreme one — check the nasty smell of your dish scrubber?

    I know this is just beginner-level nitpicking. Some people are real perfectionists. How about in case of time constraints? No exit without burning out yourself in the process.

    One Simple Trick That'll Transform Your Homekeeping

    Do you really think these minute details matter at all in your daily life? With having someone over, these minutiae are appreciated. But how does that matter in the frantic life?

    How can your house get so messy with the same people (your own family) living there? What is going to cause so much impurity/contamination?

    Is it indeed a perfectionist, a false mindset, or a cleaning obsession?

    ONE SIMPLE TRICK THAT’LL TRANSFORM YOUR HOMEMAKING

    Want to know, what’s that one simple trick that’ll transform your homemaking?

    AIMING FOR PROGRESS – NOT PERFECTION.

    Ever observed how overpowering the strife for perfection is?

    Perfectionism is paralyzing.

    It impairs decision-making and preludes swing into action. Perfectionism can make you procrastinate.

    One Simple Trick That'll Transform Your Homekeeping

    You always want to wait for that perfect time, perfect tools, and perfect skills to get even your basic things done.

    We always have this preconceived idea about doing things. Usually, this preconception is idealistic. This makes a super simple task a MARATHON and yourself a professional procrastinator.

    [click_to_tweet tweet=”Perfection is an illusion based on our own perception . . . – about.com” quote=” Perfection is an illusion based on our own perception . . . – about.com”]

    There’s no such thing as entirely clean or perfect – most probably you’re misled by your mind. It happens to all of us.

    To become an efficient homemaker, you must get past that ‘all or nothing’ attitude.

    Only then you can stay on top of homemaking. Such is the case in other matters of life, homemaking more importantly.

    Homemaking is about savoring the moments as you move through the steady rhythm of your housework and not rushing into the chores.

    In truth, even seasoned homemakers find home-keeping a drudgery at some point in their lives. We all have been there and know it’s a matter of fact.

    But rather play the blame game why not figure some better way out?

    How better than setting yourself reasonable standards.

    Focusing on being good enough – not a perfectionist.

    You want your home to function effectively to thrive in other areas of life. It’s possible when you know how to strike a balance between home and life.

    Being a homemaker doesn’t mean you should immerse yourself in housework night and day. Nope, you have a life apart from that.

    How can you apply this one trick in various spheres of home-keeping?

    1| Take action straight away:

    The perfect occasion will come when pigs fly. Make headway with your work; one step at a time.

    If you see something misplaced return it back forthwith. Don’t make an excuse that you’ll be back later. You hardly will. Do it that very moment.

    2| Simplify things:

    Break up the chores or bigger cleaning, decluttering, or organizing projects into bite-size chunks.

    For instance, to make the bathroom cleaning task easier – split the steps into daily and deep cleaning routines.

    So on a deep cleaning routine, you can overlook the areas that you clean every day and focus more only on what isn’t cleaned regularly.

    Make the chores the simplest possible and you’ll undoubtedly enjoy them, I promise.

    Read: 10 Ways To Simplify Homemaking

    3|  Set realistic standards:

    Evaluate what is truly important.

    One good example: to plan your meals you don’t necessarily need the fancy stuff you saw in that YouTube video, every time you meal plan.

    You can use a simple pen and paper, a mobile app, or simply text messaging to make a list in a great hurry.

    [click_to_tweet tweet=”The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.’ – Edwin Bliss” quote=”‘ The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.’ – Edwin Bliss”]

    4| Just do it:

    Getting started is a huge obstacle, most frequently.

    Once you get started you’ll want to keep going as you accomplish the tasks.

    But to get started, you might want to trick yourself into doing it only for a few minutes.

    I do this when I have a large stack of dishes in the sink. I trick myself to wash the dishes for no more than 10 minutes. And as I go for it I already have accomplished so much in those 10 minutes that I want to keep going until the end.

    [click_to_tweet tweet=”Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect! – Aryn Kyle” quote=” Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect! – Aryn Kyle”]

    5| Focus on progress only:

    If still, nothing motivates you to get the chores done remember you’re accountable for certain duties as a homemaker. You have to do them no matter what.

    For that focus on progress only. Do not bother if you’re shining your house by making some special cleaners or following precise techniques. Strive to just be good enough with your housework. And eventually, you’ll get there.

    Final words:

    I assure you this one trick — aiming for progress – not perfection will help you transform your homemaking.

    Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

  • 7 Daily Disciplines For Every Homemaker

    7 Daily Disciplines For Every Homemaker

    Daily Discipline? Does a homemaker even need that? You ponder.
     
    People consider homemaking a worthless role, and homemakers – idle humans who do nothing but binge-watch Netflix and cuddle up on the couch!
     
    But you know how fulfilling it is. And that homemakers have so many duties and responsibilities to minister.
     
    To master domestic art discipline is essential.
     

    What is self-discipline?

     
    According to dictionary.cambridge.org self-discipline means the ability to make yourself do things you know you should do even when you do not want to.
     
    As explained by Merriam-webster.com self-discipline is the correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement.
     
    Now, forget about being strict and disciplining yourself. We’re not going to complicate things here.
     
    Remember you ought to serve specific duties when determining to be a homemaker.
     
    Valuing your duties and achieving significant tasks (each day) is what we’re considering discipline here.
     
    Today we’ll be concentrating on the mere essential duties of homemaking.
     
    Even if you get nothing more done, these tasks ensure your home is in shipshape order.
     

    7 DAILY DISCIPLINES OF A HOMEMAKER

     

    1. Make the bed:

     
    This one comes first because the bedroom is where your day begins.
     
    It is the last place you come to unwind, restore peace, and be at ease at the end of the day.
     
    Thus, it must be your safe haven.
     
    A freshly made bed can put you in a good mood and make the entire bedroom nice and neat.
     
    It’s a subtle way to begin your day on the right foot.
     

    2. Take a shower:

     
    I won’t stress much about getting dressed fully. Still, tidiness is necessary.
     
    A quick shower is essential for hygiene and cleanliness since we tend to several nasty tasks throughout the day.
     
    Scouring the toilet, dealing with pet litter, taking the trash out, etc. Plus, the dirt, oil, and sweat from handwashing dishes make getting cleaned necessary.
     

    3. Spend time with God:

     
    Dwelling in God’s words is a must to lead a meaningful life.
     
    You’ll nowhere find wisdom and guidance than as written in our sacred scriptures.
     
     
    Ask God for help. The sagacity to lead you through your day-to-day life is of greater significance.
     
    We come across so many good and bad situations every day.
     
    Plenty of times, we don’t understand how to address the case. At those times, God’s teachings guide us to the right path.
     
    Related Topics:
     
     
     
     

    4. Fix meals:

     
    Making all 4 (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner) meals can be practicable for homemakers. But challenging for breadwinners.
     
    Ensuring your family has something to eat at the start and end of the day takes the load off the mind.
     
    As a homemaker, preparing and serving timely meals is your responsibility.
     
    Arranging something for breakfast and dinner in the early hours will put your mind at ease all day.
     

    5. Do a load of laundry:

     
    As I say, whether you have a large family or a small one, doing one load of laundry a few times a week will save a day of work on the weekend.
     
    Stay-at-home, as well as work-at-home moms, will find it worthwhile.
     
    Working mommies may need an alternative solution. You can find it in this post.
     
    Simply one load every morning can leave you feeling accomplished throughout the day.
     

    6. Tidy up before bed:

     
    Tackle today’s mess today.
     
    Run the dishwasher/handwash dishes. Wipe down the countertops. Quick scrub sink.
     
    Call an after-dinner 10-minute house pick-up challenge for your family.
     
    Let everyone be involved. Yes, the little ones can contribute too.
     
    Sweep/vacuum.
     
    Get everything in order before concluding the day.
     

    7. Prep up for the next day:

     
    Review the next day’s menu plan and prep as much as possible.
     
    Get the most preparation done beforehand.
     
    While doing this, see if you can fix something for breakfast.
     
    Make sure – dirty washing is sorted and put in the washer. If anything needs pre-treatment. Also, if the kitchen is clean and set up for the next day.
     
    Set the breakfast table.
     
    This will allow you to begin and end your day stress-free.
     
    So those were my daily disciplines for every homemaker.
    These daily disciplines ensure your home functions smoothly and help you be a better homemaker.
     
    Thank you so much for reading! Happy Homemaking!
     

    For new blogposts follow simpleinspiredblog on Pinterest.

  • 5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    A home, unlike the rest of the world, should be a warm, welcoming, and comfortable place to be.

    A place where you can’t wait to retire after a busy day. A spot where, in contrast to workplace politics, toxicity, and sarcasm, someone awaits your arrival with a warm meal. Your own personal place where everything smells like you, seems like you, feels like you, sounds like you. Like your very own. Unique and special!

    Irrespective of the level we criticize and take for granted, our home never ceases to shelter us in this wicked world. Did you ever happen to spend a day outside in an unfamiliar place? Or been in a situation when you were stuck at the airport or the train station platform the entire day/night?

    At that very moment, you realize the significance of the home. The home that we make a fuss over. I have had such awful moments for quite a time, so I know it.

    5 Ways To Make Your Home A Haven

    What makes the home a comfortable place to be?

    This article is inspired by the book Mrs. Dunwoody’s Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping. In this book, the author Miriam Lukken has explained The Art of Homekeeping by considering the five senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. So today, let’s dive deeper to see how we can make our home a haven.

    A haven for our family, for God, and for the visitors – by working on these 5 important elements of our home.

    5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME A HAVEN

    Sight:

    According to the author, colors have a grand impact on our nerves and psychology. Thus, they need to be considered carefully. Different colors have different effects. Bold colors affect the mood strongly, whereas cool/pastel tones are soothing to the mind.

    Rethink how you prefer each room. Understand the purpose of each room.

    Do you like a simplistic look with bare essentials or a flashy design with an enthralling mix of books, relics, couture, etc.?

    Smell:

    The sense of smell is strongly connected to memory. Whether it’s an appetizing dish from childhood or the fresh orchards in the garden.

    The smell can be a powerful feature in making our home a haven.

    Observe the smell in the house when you’re home from outdoors.

    Does it smell pleasant or stale/moldy? Make your home smell fresh by taking out the trash regularly.

    What fragrance do you and your family love? The smell of lavender, freshly ground coffee, or simmering lemon zest? Maybe aromatic candles, incense, or essential oils? Whatever choice of aroma you pick for your home, airing out by opening the windows can never go out of style.

    Touch:

    How does your home feel?

    How often do you change sheets, wash curtains, clean rugs, sort mail, and declutter toys? Are there knick-knacks, books, laundry far and wide?

    The cleanliness, luminosity, and comfort of your home can make a huge impact on how cozy you feel.

    Sound:

    How does your day-to-day life sound?

    Loud and noisy, or quiet and peaceful?

    I have seen a lot of families turn their televisions on well ahead of breakfast and shut them down at bedtime. Some people like upbeat music while getting ready for the office.

    At the same time, some people’re more of windchimes, soft piano, and a home bursting into laughter of family and friends.

    Reduce the noise in the room. Play some soothing music or mantras for a peaceful ambiance.

    Taste:

    Do you love to serve your guests a gourmet menu or just simple, nourishing meals?

    Are you a formalist host who wants a perfectly set, color-coded, and well-decorated table with everything from appetizers to drinks to the main course out and out for their guests?

    Or just believe in the idea of quality versus quantity?

    Decide and get ahead of having a guest-ready party plan by jotting down every small detail in a notebook.

    Final Words:

    All of these areas deserve attention as we strive to make our home a haven, a most special place for our loved ones. A home that witnesses composure, beauty, and inventiveness. As author Miriam Lukken says, “Home should be a place where we can grow and thrive, and live and love, to the fullest extent”.

    Don’t forget to share your thoughts. Thank you so much for reading. Happy Homemaking!

    To keep up with my new blog posts follow simpleinspiredblog on Pinterest.

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