Housework may be the last thing on your mind as you struggle with Lyme Disease. However, an orderly house does much to decrease stress and anxiety. Also, the light exercise you get from housework is quite beneficial to building up your strength. However, there will be times when all you should do is turn the lights off on the mess and get some much needed rest. This was very difficult for me as I use to pride myself on having a clean and orderly home. My journey with Lyme has taught me valuable lessons on how to do housework in an orderly manner and in a way that best fits my current lifestyle.
I should mention that prior to any housework being completed, my daily devotional, my health and family are first.
1. PRAY, PRIORITIZE, AND PLAN
Praying over your plans and prior to each task is crucial for strength and to get rid of the feeling of being overwhelmed (Philippians 4:6). Prayer clears my mind and enables me to focus on the task at hand. I ask God to give me the wisdom as to how to do the tasks in an efficient and orderly manner so that I can use the least amount of energy. (Proverbs 16:3)
The night before, I write down a plan of what I will be working on the next day and leave it on my desk. The first item on my list is always the three priorities mentioned below (3d's), then from there I add a couple more items to the list. I also add the daily task from my weekly schedule mentioned in step 2 below. Your list should not be overwhelming and be sure to delegate items to others. If it is overwhelming, take some items off and add them to your running tally of "TO DO" items on evernote.com or some other place where you know you won't lose the list.
I have learned to have the same three housework priorities everyday. These include: 1. one load of dirty laundry per day, 2. getting dinner going with the menu planned the night before, 3. starting a load of dishes the night before (or soaking them), and putting them away the next morning(1). (The 3 d's.) If I have these three things done, I find that the rest of the day (and week) runs smoothly. If you have kids or someone helping you, be sure to delegate these priorities by writing them down in a visible area. Once you have established these three prioritizes as a daily habit, it will be much easier to keep your house in order.
2. CREATE A WEEKLY SCHEDULE
After my three main priorities, I have a weekly schedule of housework that I have distributed throughout the entire week(2). I use to wait for Saturday to clean the whole house. However, with a chronic illness, trying to clean everything on one day is just not physically possible anymore. Breaking up the housework (and any other project(3)) into smaller tasks performed all week long (except Sunday) was a much more realistic plan.
Be sure to write down your weekly schedule and post it somewhere visible and on something that can easily be changed such as a whiteboard on the refrigerator. For example, my current housework schedule contains the following: Monday - Wash Day, Tuesday - Office/Trash, Wednesday - Vacuum, Thursday - Bathrooms, Friday - Moping, and Saturday - Refrigerator. Plan on everyone in your household doing the work. Present the plan and delegate the work by recording it and posting it in a visible area. (If you foresee issues with getting your kids (or caregiver) to do the work, write the privileges or pay that will be taken away for each task that goes uncompleted.)
As mentioned below, I perform some of these tasks on multiple days due to physical fatigue. However, I still set aside a day for the task to ensure the completion of it. Also, don't be afraid to adjust your weekly schedule due to unforeseen issues (e.g. entry way needs to be cleaned daily due to the snow), the holidays or another event.
2. AVOID CLEANING (OR KEEP THINGS SIMPLE)
The following are tips for how to avoid cleaning too often(2):
a. Use disposable silverware, plates and cups.
b. Don't wash your clothes as often if they aren't dirty.
c. If it isn't dirty, don't clean it. Leave your energy for what is dirty.
d. Perform spot cleaning instead of washing or pick up the couple of items on the rug so you don't have to vacuum,
e. Use Lysol wipes to clean counters/toilets/bathtub and view videos on cleaning efficiently.
f. Always use a clean rag, mop, etc. (There is nothing worse than putting the effort to clean an area to find out that it is dirtier than when you first started.)
g. In order to have more time for cleaning, don't make a mess cooking. Use the crock pot and use the Reynolds's plastic bags to cook for easy clean up.
h. Buy dinner or other quick meal options on hectic cleaning days. (There are a lot of cheap options now a days at your local grocery store for pre-made, healthy foods. A Rotisserie chicken with a side salad (bagged) and fruit is one example of an easy dinner. Check out your local grocery store for other fun options. There are also coupons online that make eating out affordable (eg. restaurant.com). Tyson's frozen chicken options are also a great option.)
i. When leaving a room, look around and see what needs to go with you into the next room.
j. No pets. If you absolutely have to have a pet, opt for a Beta in a bowl.
k. Don't clean to make a mess. If you know you are going to leave a bigger mess than when you started, don't do it. Wait until you have the proper tools, time, help, energy or whatever else is needed to perform the task without leaving a mess behind or review step 8 below.
l. Put your bills on auto pay in order to have more time to clean. (I would not recommend delegating the task of paying bills to others due to fraud issues.)
4. Enjoy it. Put on an audio book, movie or something else you have been wanting to listen to or see and play it while you wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, etc.. I personally listen to Amy Carmichael's book, beyond Sunrise on librivox.org while I do the dishes or sermons from refnet.fm while I clean the toilets.
5. Mix in rest or sitting with your physical work. The way that I am able to get the most done is by resting a lot after exerting myself. For example, I will sweep an area, then I will go sit at the computer and pay some bills. After I mop a portion of the floor, I will sit or lay on the couch and take a break until I feel I have more energy to take on another area. While doing the laundry, I sit down while folding the clothes. Also, don't be afraid to take a short nap.
Mix in easier tasks with the harder tasks. I tried to do laundry all day but realized that laundry is just too physically hard. Also, I found it difficult on the joints to sit for an extended period of time to pay the bills. Consequently, I quickly changed that to doing one load per day and paying the bills while waiting for the washer or I would perform another task that does not require a lot of physical strength.
6. Stop to eat, take supplements and drink water. I have noticed that I am able to do more and not get as tired if I am constantly hydrating myself with lemonade and eating light snacks throughout the day and taking my vitamins. Protein shakes and egg drop soup are another good source of energy.
7. De-clutter. Cleaning without de-cluttering is like a hamster on his wheel who works really hard but never seems to get anywhere. One easy way to de-clutter is to put items that are not being used into a box. If you don't use them after three months, it is time to go to the thrift store and make a donation. If it is something that is important to you for whatever reason, give it to someone that you know will appreciate and take care of it properly. For example, I hesitated quite a bit to give away some of my wardrobe. They were all brand name clothing or unique items I knew I would not be able to find again. Instead of taking them to the thrift store, I gave them to a co-worker of mine who had helped me out a lot during a recent move and she was the type who appreciated clothes and cared for them well. But don't make a mess in order to de-clutter.
8. Break up the work into smaller more doable tasks(3). For example, in order to clean out my refrigerator, I will clean only one shelf at a time. The same goes for a closet or any other large area in need of deep cleaning.
9. Make sure you have the proper tools. Invest in the microfiber mop, the telescoping pole duster, the long-handle scrub brush to clean the sides of your shower and buthtub or whatever tool you think will help you in your cleaning situation. These and other tools will save you a lot of time and energy.
In conclusion, a chronic illness can wreck havoc on the most organized home. However, some simple steps and tools can bring back the previously ordered home. These include praying, prioritizing and having a plan. Steps can also be taken to avoid cleaning, to enjoy cleaning and mix rest in with labor. It is also important to hydrate yourself and eat light snacks to keep up your energy. In addition, creating a weekly schedule can help you get into a routine of cleaning throughout the week. These tips have helped me tremendously and I hope that they help you.
Sources:
(1) Erin@Ultimate Home Bundles (URL no longer works)
(2) Large Family Logistics
(3) http://www.treatcfsfm.org/detail-62-Illness-and-Housekeeping.html
I should mention that prior to any housework being completed, my daily devotional, my health and family are first.
1. PRAY, PRIORITIZE, AND PLAN
Praying over your plans and prior to each task is crucial for strength and to get rid of the feeling of being overwhelmed (Philippians 4:6). Prayer clears my mind and enables me to focus on the task at hand. I ask God to give me the wisdom as to how to do the tasks in an efficient and orderly manner so that I can use the least amount of energy. (Proverbs 16:3)
The night before, I write down a plan of what I will be working on the next day and leave it on my desk. The first item on my list is always the three priorities mentioned below (3d's), then from there I add a couple more items to the list. I also add the daily task from my weekly schedule mentioned in step 2 below. Your list should not be overwhelming and be sure to delegate items to others. If it is overwhelming, take some items off and add them to your running tally of "TO DO" items on evernote.com or some other place where you know you won't lose the list.
I have learned to have the same three housework priorities everyday. These include: 1. one load of dirty laundry per day, 2. getting dinner going with the menu planned the night before, 3. starting a load of dishes the night before (or soaking them), and putting them away the next morning(1). (The 3 d's.) If I have these three things done, I find that the rest of the day (and week) runs smoothly. If you have kids or someone helping you, be sure to delegate these priorities by writing them down in a visible area. Once you have established these three prioritizes as a daily habit, it will be much easier to keep your house in order.
2. CREATE A WEEKLY SCHEDULE
After my three main priorities, I have a weekly schedule of housework that I have distributed throughout the entire week(2). I use to wait for Saturday to clean the whole house. However, with a chronic illness, trying to clean everything on one day is just not physically possible anymore. Breaking up the housework (and any other project(3)) into smaller tasks performed all week long (except Sunday) was a much more realistic plan.
Be sure to write down your weekly schedule and post it somewhere visible and on something that can easily be changed such as a whiteboard on the refrigerator. For example, my current housework schedule contains the following: Monday - Wash Day, Tuesday - Office/Trash, Wednesday - Vacuum, Thursday - Bathrooms, Friday - Moping, and Saturday - Refrigerator. Plan on everyone in your household doing the work. Present the plan and delegate the work by recording it and posting it in a visible area. (If you foresee issues with getting your kids (or caregiver) to do the work, write the privileges or pay that will be taken away for each task that goes uncompleted.)
As mentioned below, I perform some of these tasks on multiple days due to physical fatigue. However, I still set aside a day for the task to ensure the completion of it. Also, don't be afraid to adjust your weekly schedule due to unforeseen issues (e.g. entry way needs to be cleaned daily due to the snow), the holidays or another event.
2. AVOID CLEANING (OR KEEP THINGS SIMPLE)
The following are tips for how to avoid cleaning too often(2):
a. Use disposable silverware, plates and cups.
b. Don't wash your clothes as often if they aren't dirty.
c. If it isn't dirty, don't clean it. Leave your energy for what is dirty.
d. Perform spot cleaning instead of washing or pick up the couple of items on the rug so you don't have to vacuum,
e. Use Lysol wipes to clean counters/toilets/bathtub and view videos on cleaning efficiently.
f. Always use a clean rag, mop, etc. (There is nothing worse than putting the effort to clean an area to find out that it is dirtier than when you first started.)
g. In order to have more time for cleaning, don't make a mess cooking. Use the crock pot and use the Reynolds's plastic bags to cook for easy clean up.
h. Buy dinner or other quick meal options on hectic cleaning days. (There are a lot of cheap options now a days at your local grocery store for pre-made, healthy foods. A Rotisserie chicken with a side salad (bagged) and fruit is one example of an easy dinner. Check out your local grocery store for other fun options. There are also coupons online that make eating out affordable (eg. restaurant.com). Tyson's frozen chicken options are also a great option.)
i. When leaving a room, look around and see what needs to go with you into the next room.
j. No pets. If you absolutely have to have a pet, opt for a Beta in a bowl.
k. Don't clean to make a mess. If you know you are going to leave a bigger mess than when you started, don't do it. Wait until you have the proper tools, time, help, energy or whatever else is needed to perform the task without leaving a mess behind or review step 8 below.
l. Put your bills on auto pay in order to have more time to clean. (I would not recommend delegating the task of paying bills to others due to fraud issues.)
4. Enjoy it. Put on an audio book, movie or something else you have been wanting to listen to or see and play it while you wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, etc.. I personally listen to Amy Carmichael's book, beyond Sunrise on librivox.org while I do the dishes or sermons from refnet.fm while I clean the toilets.
5. Mix in rest or sitting with your physical work. The way that I am able to get the most done is by resting a lot after exerting myself. For example, I will sweep an area, then I will go sit at the computer and pay some bills. After I mop a portion of the floor, I will sit or lay on the couch and take a break until I feel I have more energy to take on another area. While doing the laundry, I sit down while folding the clothes. Also, don't be afraid to take a short nap.
Mix in easier tasks with the harder tasks. I tried to do laundry all day but realized that laundry is just too physically hard. Also, I found it difficult on the joints to sit for an extended period of time to pay the bills. Consequently, I quickly changed that to doing one load per day and paying the bills while waiting for the washer or I would perform another task that does not require a lot of physical strength.
6. Stop to eat, take supplements and drink water. I have noticed that I am able to do more and not get as tired if I am constantly hydrating myself with lemonade and eating light snacks throughout the day and taking my vitamins. Protein shakes and egg drop soup are another good source of energy.
7. De-clutter. Cleaning without de-cluttering is like a hamster on his wheel who works really hard but never seems to get anywhere. One easy way to de-clutter is to put items that are not being used into a box. If you don't use them after three months, it is time to go to the thrift store and make a donation. If it is something that is important to you for whatever reason, give it to someone that you know will appreciate and take care of it properly. For example, I hesitated quite a bit to give away some of my wardrobe. They were all brand name clothing or unique items I knew I would not be able to find again. Instead of taking them to the thrift store, I gave them to a co-worker of mine who had helped me out a lot during a recent move and she was the type who appreciated clothes and cared for them well. But don't make a mess in order to de-clutter.
8. Break up the work into smaller more doable tasks(3). For example, in order to clean out my refrigerator, I will clean only one shelf at a time. The same goes for a closet or any other large area in need of deep cleaning.
9. Make sure you have the proper tools. Invest in the microfiber mop, the telescoping pole duster, the long-handle scrub brush to clean the sides of your shower and buthtub or whatever tool you think will help you in your cleaning situation. These and other tools will save you a lot of time and energy.
In conclusion, a chronic illness can wreck havoc on the most organized home. However, some simple steps and tools can bring back the previously ordered home. These include praying, prioritizing and having a plan. Steps can also be taken to avoid cleaning, to enjoy cleaning and mix rest in with labor. It is also important to hydrate yourself and eat light snacks to keep up your energy. In addition, creating a weekly schedule can help you get into a routine of cleaning throughout the week. These tips have helped me tremendously and I hope that they help you.
Sources:
(1) Erin@Ultimate Home Bundles (URL no longer works)
(2) Large Family Logistics
(3) http://www.treatcfsfm.org/detail-62-Illness-and-Housekeeping.html
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