Slow homemaking isn’t being lazy. It’s having the power to realize that you determine what needs to be done. The power to make your own space feel clean. It’s taking the time to slow down and enjoy what you’re doing. I started slowing homemaking, keep reading to find why I am never going back.

What is slow homemaking?

Slow homemaking is trying to decide what is important that day to you to clean or organize to make you feel better about yourself. The idea is that you don’t need a huge checklist to feel relief that you were productive that day. The list can be as long or short as you like. It’s tidying your space without making yourself miserable while doing it. Although there is a time and place for a good speed clean, for me when someone new comes over, it’s about taking control of what you value.

How to start slowly making a change

I am a huge fan of cleaning, although I would get obsessive about it in the past. Always wanting our house to be so clean that you could literally eat off the floors at anytime in our house or be able to do surgery on any surface in our house just in case. I realized this was unrealistic to strive for all the time. I began having that burnout, of wanting a clean house but I also did not want to feel guilty. When I first heard about slow homemaking my bias was that it was for someone who is lazy. I didn’t understand it’s about taking the time to slowly and joyfully take control of housework. To stop and think strategically about organizing time to do so.

Ways to change your homemaking skills

One thing that really helped me was to make myself a treat or a nice beverage when it was cleaning day. It was a little something special that I could look forward to. If you’re having a hard time finding motivation for cleaning, I recommend that you make an agreement with yourself. Make an agreement that you will not strain yourself to the point of hating cleaning and organizing. In the morning I write down a really large list of all the things I want to clean (I usually end up making myself a way bigger list than I ever am able to complete). Then I give myself a time allowance such as devoting 3 hours to cleaning. Next, I organize my list with what is actually important to get done today without trying to make myself rush through the whole thing just to get it done.

I save the smaller things for when I have some extra time during the week (even if it’s just 30 minutes) and work on these smaller ticket items to make me still feel like I am checking off everything on my list.

Cleaning motivation

Have you heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? I like to think of this also in terms of cleaning. Cleaning small things everyday is better so that on my bigger cleaning days it doesn’t feel like I have a never-ending list of chores. I have a daily mental list of things that make the house feel clean to me. This list is actually very simple. For example, making the bed, doing a load of laundry, making sure the dishes are done and wiping down the kitchen countertops. I try to clean daily used spaces a little bit each day. I find that this allows me to feel like I am still getting the job done and staying on top of what seems like a never-ending list of chores.

Ways to enjoy your chores

I have also created a special playlist for when I am cleaning. It gives me something special to look forward to each week. Finding music that allows me to get motivation and songs that also relax me because we do not need to be stressed out when simply cleaning our own spaces. I also set a timer when I am doing my daily clean. This means that I can organize my day easier and budget my time better making sure to stay on top of things. The timer can be something small such as fifteen minutes. The great thing is you can decide what fits best for you and your families’ needs.

Create slow homemaking activities

This is something new that I am trying out and honestly really loving. I love to decorate and think of new ways to freshen up our living spaces. Bringing in something from outside just makes a home feel fresh and inviting and just something I enjoy noticing. I like to bring in fresh florals to the kitchen and bedroom. I take apart the arrangements from the grocery store and create new ones that can liven up my rooms. This is still a homemaking skill by doing something for yourself and for your home. There are many different ways to do these activities like changing up the tea towels in your kitchen or bathroom. Another activity could be trying new candles or essential oils in your home. It can even be baking and creating a new dish for yourself or your family.

Stress relieving

I encourage you to try to slow down and start enjoying your activities at home that feel like chores. I have found that I have less anxiety around our home and can really enjoy our space much better now. I know that it can be different for each individual. Slowing down by choice feels like we have control over everything, and we get to dictate what we want to make time for in our lives. Let us know down below what your favorite slow homemaking activity is and be sure to check us out on our Facebook page for more inspiration and stories!