You love your family — that’s a given. But have you ever felt trapped in the endless cycles of taking care of your home? Homemaking can be a rich, rewarding role but it can also be extremely monotonous at times. Here are 7 ways to survive the monotony and renew your passion.
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I don’t know about you, but sometimes the daily cycle of cook, feed, clean, repeat can wear on me. I have on many days felt like a hamster on a wheel, scurrying and scurrying but never actually going anywhere.
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar: I clean all day, and at the end of it, there are new dishes to clean, the toys are everywhere, my husband’s work clothes are strewn about, and that freshly-cleaned counter is piled with junk.
My entire day’s work undone in the blink of an eye. It’s the same thing day in and day out, and it’s hard to see the fruit of my labor.
There’s little sense of accomplishment, progress, improvement, or increase. This is compounded by the fact that there’s not even a paycheck to anticipate for the day’s work; there’s often not even a “thank you.”
I would bet my life’s savings I’m not the only mom out there who has ever felt this way. The only mom who has felt trapped by the endless cycle of housework and childcare, regardless of how much you love your family.
So how do you survive the monotony? How do you renew your excitement about housework and taking care of your home?
How to Survive the Monotony of Homemaking
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Do it as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 – Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Ephesians 6:7 – Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Maybe you don’t ever get a “thank you.” Maybe no one living in your house seems to appreciate any of your hard work. And maybe they never will.
Let it go, and remember the One you are ultimately working for. God has called you to be a manager of your home, and your work is pleasing to Him.
So, as you scrub those floors knowing that at 5:00 a pair of muddy boots will be tracking dirt across them, or as you clean your stove and counters knowing they will be soiled by the next meal, do it as a labor of love for your family, yes, but also do it as an offering of obedience to the Lord.
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Take pride in your work!
Ecclesiastes 9:10a – Whatever you do, do well.
Don’t just slop your way through chores. Do them with excellence. It’s a rewarding feeling to be able to stand back at the end of the day and be proud of the effort you put forth.
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Change up your routine.
If you’re tired of doing the same thing day in and day out… don’t! Do something different.
Switch your errand day to a different day or time (it’s amazing the change in demographic I see when I grocery shop on a different day!), try out a new recipe, or flat out take a break from housework for a day and take your kids on a fun outing.
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Stay on top of things!
Clean as you go so that at the end of the night, you do see rewards.
I’ll admit, I haven’t always been great at this. I am a Grade A procrastinator, and I used to put off washing the dishes, prepping meals, doing the laundry, vacuuming the floors, etc. By the end of the evening, dishes were piled in the sink, the counter was a mess, and Mount Laundry was taunting me from the laundry room. After a full day of cleaning and cooking, that’s incredibly discouraging.
Over the past few years, however, I have been working on breaking my procrastination habits and trying out a revolutionary idea called “clean as you go.” (I know, it’s not actually revolutionary, but it was to me!)
I clean dishes as soon as I’m finished cooking or baking, I fold and put away the laundry as soon as it’s done, I put the mail in its proper place as soon as it’s opened, and – here’s the biggie – I clean up as soon as we are finished eating supper!
Now, at the end of the night as I look around the house, rather than seeing dirty dish piles in the sink, toys all over the floor, or baskets of laundry that need folded or put away, I see clean countertops! Empty laundry baskets atop an empty clothes dryer! Carpets! I see carpets! And it makes me ready for a new day.
Related Post: 7 Habits I Wish I Would Have Adopted Years Ago
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Make a list!
I love lists, and I especially love to-do lists. Part of my love of to-do lists is because I can be quite scatterbrained, and if I don’t write it down, I will most likely forget to do it.
However, I also love to-do lists because they make me feel good. Nothing compares to the rush I get as I cross a task off my list after it has been completed, and the sense of accomplishment I feel as I take in a page of crossed-off items at the end of the day is unbeatable.
I have discovered that on those days that I feel like I’m spinning my wheels, seeing a list of everything I did that day makes me feel accomplished, regardless of the state of my house.
** A note on this – remember that time spent with your kids is important, too, so go ahead and write that down! Examples: “Read books with Johnny – fostering a love of reading.” “Had an hour conversation with Sally – building trust with my daughter.” “Played outside with Junior – making memories.”
Related Post: Am I a Good Mom? 10 Things All Good Moms Do
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Find a new hobby or interest
As much as I believe women are called to be keepers of the home, I also think it’s good for them to have outside hobbies and interests.
It’s true that once you have kids you won’t have as much time to devote to these interests as you did single and childless, but you need to give up on them altogether.
It’s nice to have a break once in a while to do something for yourself, and I have found that it actually recharges me to resume my responsibilities with renewed energy and excitement.
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Keep the big picture in mind!
As the proverbial saying goes, don’t lose the forest for the trees. In the daily routines, the rush of errands, and the cycle of never-ending housework, it is easy to forget why we do it all.
This story of three bricklayers is a beautiful reminder to keep things in perspective.
“Once there were 3 bricklayers. Each one of them was asked what they were doing. The first man answered gruffly, ‘I’m laying bricks.’ The second man replied, ‘I’m putting up a wall.’ But the third man said enthusiastically and with pride, ‘I’m building a cathedral.’” –Author Unknown
Let us keep sight, amidst the diapers and the dishes and the dirty laundry, of why we do what we do.
Right now, looking at today, your purpose may seem lost. But stop looking at that single tree, step back, and see the forest. See past the bricks to the cathedral you are building.
You are supporting your husband, nurturing your family, and raising a future generation of Godly men and women.
When I think about it like that, my present existence doesn’t seem so monotonous anymore.
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Make a list! I’m a list maker also! And absolutely love crossing things off. This morning, I thought ‘just another day at home with my children.’ But its keeping that heavenly perspective and big picture that keeps me going. Thanks for this post, great thoughts!
Thanks, Denise – I always appreciate your comments and encouragement! Yes, yes, the Heavenly perspective is so important. It’s what keeps me going! 🙂
Yes, there is one more thing I did for my daughter. Keep her engaged with the things she loves. we had a rope ladder for her with a mattress beneath so she can climb and fall and she loved it. By the time she is done with it, she is exhausted and goes off to sleep. This is until she has her interest in it. It was fun and the beautiful moments of togetherness.
As she says to me, Do not get too overworked ma, this is our home not a museum.
Best
Katie
http://chennaifocus.in
That sounds so fun! I always love hearing new ideas to keep kids engaged and occupied that don’t include the tv! 🙂
Lists are important – they are like mini goals – and when goals are written down they are much more likely to get accomplished! Thanks for the great post!
It’s true, they are more likely to get accomplished! Mostly because if I don’t write them down, I often forget to do them! Haha! But I do love the sense of accomplishment when I finish them!
Great advice and a very fresh perspective! I will keep this in mind for sure. I have definitely been feeling a bit stuck lately in this particular area. Thank you for writing this post!
To be honest, I regularly get into a rut where I feel stuck in this area. I am not someone who loves to clean (there are actually people like that, can you believe it??), so that is my least favorite aspect of managing a home. When I start to feel that way again, I have to remind myself of these things all over again! That’s why it’s one of my favorite posts – it was, and is, so applicable to me. Glad you found it beneficial as well!
I literally just left Bible study and one of the ladies talked about not being able to see the forest for the trees. And I like the analogy of the brick layers. Thanks so much for this great article!!!!! I feel bogged down at home a bunch with housework. Thanks for reminding me of the big picture. 🙂
You’re welcome! I loved that story as soon as I read it. Perspective is everything!
…and #8:Enlist your husband! What we do is a full-time job, the same as our husbands. Adam was given a ‘Help meet’…and sometimes we need to give a gentle reminder that help meet goes both directions. My husband does the dishes in the evenings- he pops on a netflix show with earplugs, and cleans the kitchen. Of course, like you, I clean as I go(which he taught me 🙂 ), but knowing I am not alone in dealing with piles makes so much difference when I am overwhelmed!
That is so great that he helps! What a blessing. You’re right – what we do is a full-time job, something I definitely did not understand until I had kids! My husband doesn’t do much cleaning, but he does all the outside work (we live on 39 acres, so there’s a lot of that), handles all the vehicle and machine repair, and is our resident handyman! So I really can’t complain! 🙂 But you’re absolutely right, knowing you’re in a partnership makes a huge difference!
So good! I’m nodding yes to each point. But most of all, to Interests and Hobbies! I did not know how important it was to keep ahold of who I am and what I like. I finally figured that out after 20 years and five precious kids. Now, for the next 10 years, I’ll do it different! Thank God that he never stops teaching us!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! And thank God for His teaching! Yikes, I can’t imagine what kind of mom I’d be without the changes He’s made in my heart and the wisdom He’s given me!
The big picture is sooo hard to keep track of. I love that quote. So I’m not just a stay at home mom, I’m building adults!
Yes! I loved that story as soon as I read it. I have to regularly – sometimes multiple times a day! – remind myself of the bigger picture! Reading books like Kingdom Parenting helped me a lot in this area. It reminds me that all the little, sometimes mundane, things I do everyday are adding up to a Kingdom purpose. It keeps me from just going through the motions or getting bogged down in the work.
Do it as you go in a real one. If you don’t it just piles up too quickly… and becomes either overwhelming or a bone of contention between loved ones…and WHO needs that?? 🙂
Right?? As I mentioned in the post, it took me a little while to develop the discipline to clean as I go, but I feel so much less overwhelmed when I stick to it. Thanks for adding your input! 🙂
Great list, Lisa! I especially love how you put biblical encouragements as the first two on your list. My 3 kids are all grown (2 in early twenties still at home) and find that the role of mom continues even though they are no longer small. I am thankful to be a mom – past, present, and future!
Thanks Faith! My mom loves the book Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian. She always says that you never stop being a parent, but knowing how to help your children can be a struggle because you can’t be as hands-on as you are when they’re in your home. She has found that book very useful in guiding her how to continue to pray for us now that we’re grown.
I found your blog through Blogelina! And I totally relate and agree with you about the monotony! I definitely need to work on focusing my work on pleasing God instead of anyone else and I love the idea of changing up the routine. I tend to get ‘stuck in my ways’ so that would be great for me! Also I love to do lists too! Thank you for the ideas! ?
Thanks Ellen, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Realizing that I should be working to please God instead of my husband, or anyone else, was life-changing for me, and I have to continually remind myself to keep that perspective! I can’t even tell you how much it helps keep feelings of resentment or bitterness at bay!