Are you a stress cleaner? Or do you get swept up in rage cleaning? It may seem like the first month of the new year has already flown by in a flash and you find yourself experiencing overwhelming emotions as you juggle an endlessly growing to-do list of housework chores while also trying to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions.
Post holidays, the thought of housework chores can induce overwhelming feelings of dread. While creating a to-do list is an efficient way to boost your productivity, it can inadvertently lead to overwhelming emotions if it grows too out of control. Don’t let the stress of household chores get to you!
There are actionable steps you can take to eliminate such cleaning stress. By initiating certain measures, you can alleviate the overwhelming feelings that come along when it’s time for your weekly housework chores. Let’s see what tips may be potential game changers for you and help to reduce the stress of the job. We here at You’ve Got Maids of Northern Virginia have you covered!
First Steps First: Make Yourself A Master To-Do List Of All Of Your Housework Chores
Lay out all your housework chores in a master list to gain a bird’s eye view of your tasks. A visual list will help you reclaim a sense of control and provide immediate relief from overwhelming feelings. Just by creating this to-do list, you are already initiating positive and immediate action.
This master list can be written by hand on a physical notepad organizer or even a yellow legal pad. You can also craft your to do list on the iphone. Better yet, it would be beneficial to create your to do list with a template through Google Docs or put your to do list on an Excel spreadsheet. Google Keep is a straightforward note-taking app you can use to make a to-do list on the desktop. Think of it as a virtual bulletin board that will provide you with an excellent visual of your housework chores. It also syncs with your phone!
Whichever system you choose, it is most important to use a process that you feel comfortable with, so that you can implement a consistent routine, which will reduce the stress of the job and yield mental health benefits. Such organizational measures will dramatically alleviate your cleaning stress. Whether you’re a stress cleaner or more into rage cleaning, a master to-do list will alleviate many overwhelming feelings of anxiety.
Organizing Your Priorities: How to Sort the To-Dos On Your List
Once you have laid everything out on a master list, it is time to order your items by the key areas in your home. For example, housework chores that pertain to the kitchen can be grouped together in their own list. By sorting your tasks by category, you will boost your productivity, as you can focus in a more specific way. Multitasking can lead to errors and exacerbate the stress of the job.
Arranging your housework chores by their geographic locations will drastically reduce your cleaning stress. For example, it will be much easier to put away the dishes and then empty the garbage, as they are in close proximity to one another. The stress cleaner in you can take a break and you can also say goodbye to rage cleaning. Once you have crafted your separate lists by category, you can delve deeply into each task with renewed vigor.
What Matters Most? Prioritize Your Chores Based Upon Urgency
It is imperative to prioritize your housework chores from the most impending to the least pressing. Cleaning an area of high traffic in your house may be smart to begin with. For example, it makes sense to clear the kitchen sink rather than change the living room blinds, as a clean kitchen is important for your health and can help eliminate overwhelming feelings of stress.
Also, by sorting your tasks by priority, you will gain a clearer picture of what really belongs on your to-do list. You can then eliminate unnecessary items and streamline your work, which will ease the stress of the job. Always tackle the most important items on your to-do list first.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Break Down Your Housework Chores Into Manageable Tasks
If your to-do list feels too daunting, you may freeze up due to overwhelming feelings of doom. Rather than try to conquer a mountain, you can mitigate the stress of the job by dividing up your tasks into manageable hills. For example, instead of attempting to organize the entire house all in one day, assign a different room to each day of the week. A list of smaller tasks will actually get done and you’ll feel a renewed sense of control, which will help stave off the many overwhelming emotions caused by housework chores.
Keeping It Easy! Tackle Simpler Chores After Work
You are especially more susceptible to burnout if you attempt to squeeze in your cleaning after work. After a long day of work and any associated stress of the job, the last thing on your mind is cleaning. If you’re feeling too many overwhelming emotions from the office, you may not want to look at your to-do list on the iPhone.
Although it may seem insignificant, tackling one small bite-sized task can actually make an impact in reducing overwhelming emotions from your day. For example, if you find your sink is starting to get full, at least clean a small batch of dishes. Accomplishing even one tiny little item will make a sizable impact in reducing cleaning stress.
Stay On Track: Set Daily and Weekly Deadlines For Your Housework Chores
If your master list still feels like Mt. Everest, it may also make sense to break up your housework chores into daily and weekly priority lists. By creating daily and weekly deadlines, you will establish a routine and curtail your lists from growing too large. You can also utilize to-do list apps to set and send daily and weekly reminders. For instance, you can create a to-do list on your iPhone by using the free Notes app to send you reminders.
You can also make a to-do list in an Excel spreadsheet or a to-do list in Google Calendar. The advantage of using these programs is that you can easily edit and swap items around. Another benefit of electronic calendars or using a to-do list template on google docs is that you can have notifications sent to your phone. You may even want to create a checklist for seasonal purposes, such as a Fall Clean up Checklist.
Keep Your To-Do List In A Visible Spot to Avoid Forgetting Your Newly Organized System
Whether it is a to-do list on the iPhone, a to-do list on google calendar, a to-do list on an excel spreadsheet, or a to-do list template on google docs, make sure to put your list in a place where you will see it multiple times throughout the day. Even a post-it note will help! Constant reminders will ensure you knock off the items since they will be at the forefront of your mind. For instance, if you urgently need to restock cleaning essentials, it may help to stick a physical post-it note on your fridge.
Practice Self-Care to Relieve Any Overwhelming Emotions
You’re allowed to take breaks. Getting proper rest will grant you the energy needed to accomplish your tasks in the long run. The stress of caregivers and overwhelming feelings that can accompany household chores are very real. Give yourself a break and well-deserved credit for the hard work you’re putting in. To add incentive and a bit of fun, as you check off items from the to-do list on the iPhone, jam out to your favorite playlist.
You can also incentivize yourself with a reward after accomplishing one of the housework chores from your to-do list. Perhaps after crossing out an item, you brew yourself a cup of coffee or tea and relieve some of the stress of the job. Either way, please be sure to give yourself a pat on the back. If you’re feeling especially overwhelmed, do not be afraid to ask for help.
When All Else Fails, Seek Out An Expert!
So what about the rest of the dishes? Call us at (571) 732-2199 for local house cleaning services near me. Ask us how to estimate cleaning a house – we are always happy to offer a free estimate! We offer cleaning services on weekends and weekdays, so you can save money and spend time on what matters most to you. We are bonded, licensed, and insured for your protection. All staff members are experienced in the industry and pass a 7-year background check. Additionally, our team is fully vaccinated, and we follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
After you search for house cleaning services near me and read some of our reviews from delighted customers, then contact us for more information about these quality services. We're here to help you have a stress-free and clean New Year!
