I am trying out a new cleaning routine for my mental sanity

This photo is goals tbh. I hope it brings you the calm it brought me.

I am going insane. I feel like I am going to be cleaning dishes, washing clothes, vacuuming dog hair, and wiping down surfaces for the rest of eternity. It is never ending.

I’ve mentioned before how I have had a hard time coping with the sudden switch of having a full time job (honestly overtime being a teacher) to being a full time a stay at home mom. Lately, I have been struggling keeping up with things around the house and I feel like it is NEVER clean. Between two rapidly shedding corgis, a one year old, and a husband who doesn’t seem to know what a laundry basket is, cleaning up after them and myself is a full time job. Not to mention, the exhaustion of daily tasks, endless diaper changes, cooking - you know, all the things, does not make me motivated to clean.

I find myself on my phone any chance I get to distract myself from what I could actually be doing to help improve my quality of life or being present at home. I have felt a lot of shame in the fact that I need my phone with me all the time or I feel like I am missing out. That is for another post. But, I have recently set time limits on myself on social media through the settings on my phone, which I hope will help both my mental health and my productivity throughout the day. I’ll keep you updated on that.

I admit I find myself feeling very guilty about EVERYTHING not being done or clean ALL at the same time. What are these expectations I have put on myself? Holy moly! When I write it out or say it to myself, I know how ridiculous it sounds. See my latest instagram post for a rant on that. Simultaneously, I know I need a clean space and solid routine for my mental health. It really is easier said than done, as many of you know so well. I know that this craving comes from my background in lesson planning and being on a schedule that was down to the minute at school. I really do thrive on a rigid schedule, however, I know with a baby that is not possible with our lifestyle now.

This week I have decided to write out a plan for the days of the week I can get certain tasks done - including cleaning. I hope that by having this “schedule” of sorts, I will feel more put together and feel like I am actually checking some things off my list instead of drowning and feeling like crap on a daily basis which ends up with me with my nose buried in my phone. I think taking small steps will help me achieve more happiness all while keeping a tidy space and holding myself and others accountable to do the same.

Here is a graphic I made to help me outline my goals for each day of the week.

Yes, I have to vacuum daily due to said shedding corgis. I hope this is going to be something that is sustainable for me by limiting each day to 3-4 smallish tasks. If you are interested in a blank copy, DM me on my instagram @motherhoodbymalorie. I’ll keep you all updated with my cleaning schedule journey! Wish me luck. Happy spring cleaning!