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3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

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3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

A few months ago, Alison called me and was so excited about some things she learned in a class about organizing and creating peace in your home.  I rushed over to hear all the details and was intrigued so I called the teacher and asked her to share her information with all of you!  She agreed.

Let me introduce Julie Meyer.

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

She has done a lot of research on the subject of keeping a clean and organized home (has even opened her own business centered around cleaning) and she is sharing three ways to keep your attitude in check:

“My lifelong quest to create my ideal home has uncovered a mountain of ideas from the experts in home management.  I love sharing these tips, tricks, strategies and ideas with other homemakers.  So for those of you who don’t love to spend hours in the library (I have heard you exist) I’ll boil down some of the best bits for you.

The most important trick to taking the “work” out of housework is ATTITUDE.  If you can shift your paradigm about why we keep house, by altering your attitude, you have unlocked the key to happy homemaking.  Now go back and read that last sentence again.  If you can really do this, it will be very powerful

First, you must create a sense of pride and ownership for the place you currently live.  Many of us aren’t living in our “Barbie Dream House” but we can make our house, apartment, or wherever we are currently living, our ideal home.  I often hear ladies say, “When we get into a bigger house, I’ll be able to keep it clean,” or “Once we move into our permanent house, then I’ll paint,” or a number of other excuses as to why we aren’t happy with our current residence.  Ladies, we simply can’t wait to start enjoying our homes.

To help you develop a sense of pride in your home, I’ll suggest a few exercises to get you on the right mental track.  The first one is fun and easy.  It was inspired by traveling the English countryside with my three girlfriends.  We noticed that all the homes were named, from the smallest cottages, to the lavish estates.  We visited Groombridge Place, Burghley House, Chatsworth, and Chawton Cottage.  In the movie Pride and Prejudice these places were, Longbourne, Rosings Park, and Pemberly etc.  We decided that when we returned home, we would all name our homes.  I live in more of a Cottage than a Manor, which I have embraced, and lovingly named Lillywood Cottage.

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

Give your house a name and an identity.  It will help you to value it and take pride in it.

Along with naming your home I challenge families to create a Vision Statement for your home.  What does your ideal home look like?  How do you want to feel when you enter your home?  How do you want others to feel when they come to your home?  Thinking about these types of questions will help you to define what your ideal home really is.  Our vision statement is: Lillywood Cottage is a lovely, pleasant home where friends and family gather to relax, refresh, and enjoy each other’s company.  Keeping your vision in mind while you work will help you to enjoy what you are accomplishing.

My final suggestion for unlocking that key to happy homemaking is gratitude.  With each task you perform feel gratitude: for the people whose clothes you are folding, for the plentiful food you are rinsing off the dishes, for the magic of flushing toilets, for the brilliant scientists who invented the microwave.  You see where I’m headed with this.  One day I put some inspiring music on the ipod and cleaned my house with gratitude, for my healthy, strong body performing the work in air that was the perfect temperature, with chemicals that really did most of the work.  We are blessed women who can be faithful stewards over that which we have been entrusted with.

To quote one of my favorite organizers, Peter Walsh, “Your home is the outward expression of what you value, what you enjoy, and what is important to you.” Yikes! What message is my home sending to my friends and neighbors?  Hopefully, I am steadily transforming my house into my ideal home.  By changing our thinking, focusing on why we take care of our home and family, and being grateful for our blessings, we can do all the chores and checklists with a glad heart.”

Thanks Julie!  I also loved her tips on organizing a housekeeping binder,

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

keeping kids on track with chores,

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

and effective ways to discipline your kids

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

Maybe we can get her to share these next time!?

3 TRICKS to take the WORK out of housework

About Missy

A mother of 5 who holds a degree in English and run on sentences. She has a passion for photography, especially capturing life's sweet moments. She has a serious addiction to Oreos, coconut oil and sushi...not necessarily all at the same time. She is one of the 3 founders of HowDoesShe.com.

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Comments

  5. Tris says

    We are suburban apartment dwellers and have named our home too! The first one was in the middle of 3 buildings, had a funny little dip in the grass of the front yard and tons of toads who visited frequently. Consequently, we named it “Middle Toad Hollow”. When we got the chance to move to a corner unit, it was around the time we had to file for bankruptcy and the hubs had been out of work for almost a year. Because moving was the start of a newer and better life, we named our current apartment “Clean Slate Corner”…and yes, I made a sign for both places!

    Reply

  8. Heidi says

    Wonderful post but now I want to hear more! I need to hear more about the binder, keeping kids on track and discipline!!

    Reply

  10. Krymsen says

    Thanks for this.
    I have been thinking about giving our farm a name. I had never thought to name the house. I am totally going to do that now!
    I want to hear more about the binder and other ideas too!

    Reply

  12. Jesslyn says

    Ditto the power of “shifting your paradigm.” I used to get so irked when I had to clean house, because within a few minutes my 3 little girls would have destroyed it again. But it hit me one day that I could NOT have my girls and husband. I could be back in the spotless apartment from my single days. Spotless… and lonely. I am so grateful for the life I have, my lovely home, and my adorable “mess makers.” After that day, cleaning has no longer been a heavy chore. It may not be my favorite thing every day, but it’s certainly not a burden!
    .-= Jesslyn´s last blog ..Trend Translation – Full Skirts =-.

    Reply

  14. KBaker says

    i struggle with this daily, as our “fixer upper” isn’t getiing “fixer uppered” as quickly as i’d hoped. in fact, we’re outgrowing it — and i may never see my ideas in place. ** ugh! ** thank you for this fresh perspective. can’t wait to see the next post(s)!

    p.s. does Julie have a Facebook fan page??? 🙂

    Reply

  15. April says

    o my… I love these ideas… BUT now I need more. What a cliff hanger?! Please o please how soon will she return with more info?
    My kids are going to get out of control while we wait?! 🙂

    Reply

  16. Amelia Harris says

    LOVED LOVED LOVED this post! But would really like to hear some more about the housekeeping binder, keeping kids on track with chores, and effective ways to discipline your kids! You should definitely have her back REAL SOON 🙂
    .-= Amelia Harris´s last blog ..Sihouette Give Aways! =-.

    Reply

  20. Mindy says

    Nothing makes me more happy than having a clean and organized home. Great tips! Now I need to think of a name for my home. Such a cute idea. 🙂

    Reply

  22. rachel says

    i REALLY want to hear about those infraction cards! the naming the house thing had me chuckling… i don’t think she’d approve of any of the ones that immediately popped into my head… “crappy rental” probably isn’t what she’s going for, is it?

    Reply

  23. Dee says

    I really need to change my attitude about my house work. I love my house and I also love what you have created with the chore chart. Can you tell my how to make the chore chart so that I can make one for my kids. Thanks,

    Love your blog!
    .-= Dee´s last blog ..Subway-Art Halloween Crafts =-.

    Reply

  24. julie says

    julie, you know I’m a follower. I’m still tweeking my binder but loving it! It was great to review the information again and be reminded of things. Tomorrow I think I might suit up, tie on my apron and get something clean!
    thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  25. Jesilee says

    I LOVE the idea of naming the home, now if only I could convince the two guys I live with of that. A very well written article.

    Now I am TRYING to wait patiently for that housekeeping binder that I KNOW you will post soon, right???

    Reply

  27. Molly says

    Wow, I just found your blog and I LOVE it. I am currently trying to get on board with cleaning and organizing after realizing that the state of my home is causing me a lot of unnecessary stress.

    Right now, I have a plan to make-over different parts of our lives that aren’t working. We’re doing a dinner make-over first because food is a major problem in our house, both cost-wise and health-wise.

    I think it is a wonderful idea to name your home. As a creative writer I can totally get on board with this. In fact, when we were trying to sell our home I wrote a letter to potential buyers and had it setting on the table. It read, “Welcome to the house with the red door.” Close enough, right?
    .-= Molly´s last blog ..Your Three Words =-.

    Reply

  32. Natalie says

    love it, and that would be awesome to get her to tell us how to keep our homes organized, I am obsessed with organization and would love some help and ideas on that!

    Reply

  33. Cindy says

    Like the many others, I loved this post too! I feel inspired to love my home wherever it may be and make it mine! I would also love to hear more of her great ideas!

    Reply

  35. Magen says

    Thank you for helping me put things into perspective. I am always complaining about not being able to keep up on it all. After my grandfather dying today and reading this it really helps me to appreciate what I have and who I am doing it all for. I would love to see more though, the chore charts, tips on organizing and also discipline ideas!!

    Reply

  36. lisa w says

    Love this post…I want to name my little casa now too. Reminds me of the cool Blessings Board I saw that someone created….goes right in line with remembering to be thankful for all the small things too. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  39. Nesleirbag says

    This post speaks of the “Secret to Happiness,” not only in organization and home upkeep, but in everything. ATTITUDE!

    Reply

  42. Chelsea Strong says

    I also love the idea of naming your home. Our last name is Strong and I want to name our home “Stronghold.” Definitely don’t have a castle, but it’s all good.

    Reply

  43. Tamara says

    I would love, love, love to hear more from her!!! I agree with many others that more explanation about keeping kids on track with chores and effective ways to discipline your kids needs to be expounded on very soon!

    Always looking for new creative ideas!! Now I am off to come up with a name for my home!

    Reply

  45. trudie says

    I just found your blog as well–love it! Put me on the list of people who want to hear more about Julie’s other tips!

    Reply

  46. Heather says

    I love the idea of naming your home. I will have to come up with one that inspires me. In the kitchen area, right over top my table is a plaque that say “sit long… talk much”. That is exactly the atmosphere that I want my home to be about and my friends and family know it. Coffee is always on, and am always grateful for the company of friends and family. 😉 Great Tips!

    Reply

  50. alissa says

    I’ve been struggling with my attitude toward housework – mostly because I resent the fact that it seems I’m the only one doing it 🙂 However, these suggestions are very encouraging. I really like the idea of naming the home, because its gives a sense of ownership and pride that I think I’ve been missing. Plus, I too love Peter Walsh and that quote is an excellent reminder! Thank you for the renewed motivation and fresh perspective!

    Reply

  51. Jani McNeill says

    Funny I was just thinking how cute that would be to name your home, but now that I really ponder a name, I’ve realized it already is complete with a door side sign. Nana and Papas Nest, where the flock gathers.

    Reply
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