Getting Real about Housework

So far my posts have been generic.  I have included some basic principles from my work as a professional organizer because I think they might be helpful to you.  I will continue to do that because order in our lives is important, so I make no apologies for these articles.  Hopefully they will inspire you in some measure.

But today I will get to the nitty-gritty about housework.  As I have said, it is not my favorite thing,  In fact I do not like anything about doing it.  I do like the finished product.  Today my personal trainer asked me if anyone liked housework and I had to think about it.  (Side note:  I have been working with a personal trainer for 10 months.  My goals were to lose weight and to be able to walk with my husband and dog 2 miles everyday without arthritic knee pain.  I am accomplishing both.)  So back to thinking about if anyone liked housework. 

There are probably some people who like certain aspects of housework.  Maybe you hate washing dishes but love washing windows.  Or maybe you love ironing (I always burn myself so I don't do it.) but hate mopping floors.  I know I cannot speak for everyone, but honestly, I don't personally know of anyone who likes any of it.  It has to be done so why don't we like it?

Let me speculate and give you some of the reasons I don't like it. 
1.  It takes time away from other things I would rather do:  reading, quilting, picking flowers, just about anything else. 
2.  It is a never ending process.  Just as you finish the job, it has to be done again.  With other projects, there is and end.  My quilts are completed and enjoyed, the book is read and donated, and the flowers are arranged. 
3.  It is never quite perfect.  Even after the copper skillet is clean, you could always go back and polish the bottom of it to a brilliant shine.  You could iron the pillowcases, but what about the sheets--please NO. 
4.  There is always another task waiting even if you think you are finished.  The ceiling fan blades need dusting, the chandelier globes need washing, hey even the light bulbs need dusting.  See what I mean? 
5.  Who likes broken fingernails, dishpan hands and work clothes which are intertwined with housework?  Enough said.

So now that I have been very real and honest, let me end on a more positive note.  While there are many things we don't like to do, we can do them with a thankful attitude.  We can be thankful we have things to use, enjoy and clean.  We can enjoy the compliments we get from family and friends as they appreciate what we have done.  We can use the time spent in mindless housework to
plan projects, find solutions to problems, pray for others, converse with family, memorize scriptures or sing worship songs.  Hey, this may be the only alone time you get.  The time need not be wasted.  I encourage you and myself to make the most of it.  We may hate it, but we can still use it for good.