I will admit up front that I am a dirty person. I go long stretches between showers (As long as I look and smell ok, what difference does it make?), I put off dishes and taking out the trash. I sweep maybe once a week and RARELY mop. I don't have carpets, so no vacuuming. Laundry is usually only done for special occasions (like court for custody, or a job interview). I live alone so I'm not really worried about the toilet or the tub. I make sure my 8 month old is bathed and clean and well cared for, and always wearing clean clothes. So, I never skimp when it comes to my baby.
However, how many times when you were a kid do you go to someone's house and it was a wreck? Did you ever see dishes in the sink or dirty clothes in a pile on the bedroom floor? Were the floors dirty? The toilet stained? The mirror over the sink spotty with toothpaste?
It's come to mind that I have to change my deeply ingrained messiness for the sake of my son. Now, my dad and stepmom were very clean people. VERY. So, it's not their fault that I'm like this. I'm lazy and a HUGE procrastinator! Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow?
Well, as my son grows (and he's doing that pretty darn well) he's going to be crawling and walking soon. The floors will need to be swept and mopped everyday. We're going to need all the clean dishes possible. He's going to need clean clothes all the time in case he gets dirty and we need to go somewhere. I'M going to need clean clothes for the same reason! Also, when he gets even older, I don't want him to be embarrassed to bring friends over, or other moms to not want them at my house.
I am also going to have to find the time to do all this while I'm going to work (and hopefully school soon). Granted, I'll only be working part time, but the days I'm off, I'll have Ick with me. So, chores will need to be done while he's asleep for the most part. Especially if I'm going to be working ten hour days because there's no way I'm coming home and cleaning after that.
I could use some tips on how to start this change because I'm telling you: The thought of my favorite shows just sitting there unwatched on my computer's hard drive while I stare at some dirty dishes is just NO contest! I've thought of making a cleaning schedule to go along with Ick's sleeping schedule. Also, he's with his dad for 6 days this week so that's a great opportunity for me to get the place clean to get me off to a great start.
It doesn't help that I get really depressed when Ick isn't here. I don't feel like doing anything. And when he IS here, I'm too worn out from playing with him and taking care of him all day that I'm so grateful for the chance to chill out after he goes to bed.
I realize that it seems like I'm using any excuse I can find to avoid doing housework. Did I mention I was lazy?? And a procrastinator?
So, I think it comes down to time management. As long as I can make time to enjoy my favorite shows and relax a few times a day, then I think I can make sure I get everything else done. And I think the going rate for doing something until it becomes a habit is 21 days. So, the challenge is on.
Tomorrow, I will do a nice, full spring cleaning complete with laundry folded and put away and trash and recyclables ready to be taken out Monday night. Monday will begin my 21-day challenge to a nicer, cleaner home for me and my son. Not to mention, a journey to being a better person. Goodbye laziness and procrastination!
I hope you'll join me for my daily updates and offer your own tips and encouragements.
Oh, and one last thing... Cleaning out the car will have to be one of those days, lol, cus it's a mess, too. Just don't expect a miracle, because I can't clean my house AND my car all in one day.
Edit: I will be the first to admit that my laziness and procrastination have gotten the better of me and I still have not started this project. Oh, well. I will. One day. Probably when I move. Ha ha, at least I'm honest!
