Week 28 - Cleaning
I’ve said this before and no doubt I will say it again (and
again) – I don’t like cleaning, I really don’t like cleaning at all. I do anything and everything to get out of cleaning. I actually don’t think about it too much, I just don’t do it until the house is really bad and it needs it or visitors are coming. So I really need help with this part of my life.
I am very lucky my husband does all the washing and I do the
ironing. We share the cooking and the rest of the chores sometimes.
We have a modest 3 bedroom house with one bathroom and
toilet. Not a lot too do.
Should be easy shouldn’t it…….
Well its not – I hate housework and I would love to get a
cleaner and you know what that is what I am going to do. I can afford it so I will do it. Just for the
bathroom and toilet and floors. Surely it shouldn’t be too expensive. Who cares – let me explain.
Two weeks ago my sister passed away unexpectedly she had the
flu and then had an asthma attack which lead to two cardiac arrests. She was on life support for 7 days and we
turned it off on the 21 July. My dear sweet sister passed away on 22 July. She
was 57 years young and my world has been turned upside down. I am devastated but I have a family too look
after but I also have now taken over power of attorney (along with my other
sister) for our father who lives on the Gold coast. We both live interstate so there will many
issues.
I have already simplified my life in so many ways – getting
rid of clutter (still some way to go) but more importantly getting rid of the
emotional clutter.
I am going to be reassessing many things over the next few
weeks to make sure everything The 3 questions asked are very important:
What is your minimum
standard cleaning routine?
I would love to say do
nothing at all but being realistic some housework needs to be done. Minimum is bathrooms, floors and ironing each
week. Dusting every second week. Little bits in between.
What is your cleaning
approach?
Well it has been when I
wanted to do it – which is hardly ever. But now it will be a routine because I
do better with routines and you know I am even do a list or two….
Do you use any systems to
save you time and effort with cleaning?
Something I have never
thought about but well I will need to I suppose. Maybe tomorrow…….
Ok so that is cleaning
ticked off…. I wish it was as easy as that.
Week
29 - Paper
and information
With my new responsibilities
this is going to be a major challenge. Dad on the Gold Coast and my other
sister in Adelaide - providing the care
he needs will be a challenge.
The only way to do this is
to have routines, lists and a good system well for me anyway. LOML already has
all our paperwork sorted now it is my turn to set up some processes for Dad’s
stuff.
I will be approaching it in
my usual way – lists, processes and making it happen.
I’ve set up folders,
simplified the banking and have a daily to do list. I know things will calm
down when we get into a routine but it is a bit overwhelming at the moment.
Updating contacts and the diary, keeping in contact with my
sister and the home were Dad is, reconciling bank statements will be an hourly
job each night. Yep it will take time but Dad gave much of his time for me this
is the least I can do.
Week 30 - Household management
My household
needs more than one new habit a day but as with anything that is important
starting out small is the key and to that end I will establish one new habit
and then then when it is well entrenched I will establish another new habit.
So what
habit will it be first……….
I like the
idea of the 15 minute clean up each day so I am going to steal it ( I am sure
Deb won’t mind).
I will make
a slight adjustment I will make it a 30 minute cleanup and include electronic
cleaning up too.
Week 31 - Catch up week
Whew! I really needed this.
I have
looked back and I am so pleased with my progress. So much has changed in my
life thanks to SYL I have been decluttering my home but more importantly
decluttering my life and I have gotten rid of a lot of garbarge – literally and
emotionally.
With any change
it is important review it, check what has been working and what hasn’t been
working.
I am really
really happy with my progress. Have I done everything I wanted to – no I haven’t,
is there still more to do – yes there is.
As I move to
this new phase of my life I know the skills I’ve learnt from Deb (http://www.homelifesimplified.com.au/simplify-your-life-week-32-balance/) will help
me take care of all the responsibilities that I know have.
Visiting from the SYL12 Challenge. Sorry to hear of your sister's passing. With the added responsibilities that come with caring for your Dad's affairs, I am glad to hear you are going to get yourself a cleaner .. I would get one, in my dreams and when we win the lotto because I hate cleaning too, I always find something much better to do. Stacey-Lee :D
ReplyDeleteIm so sorry about your sister. What a terrible shock. You sound like a pretty amazing woman to be so motivated and positive. I think its great you're getting a cleaner - sounds like it will take a bit of the load off and leave some time to help your dad. Make sure you look after yourself too!
ReplyDeletebiggest hugs again Rita!
ReplyDeleteYou are taking on a lot and I know you will manage it just fine- setting up systems and lists is a good way forward so you don't miss anything important that is needed for his care.
I hope you can make a go of the 30 minute tidy - i swear i struggle daily with the tidy although lately i am a little better with the cleaning LOL (can't do it all - well don't want to really)
Thanks everyone for your support. yes it has been tough and I know that some days ahead will be pretty bleak but I also know Mally is still with me in so many ways. It has only been 3 weeks since she passed and so many things have happened. Dad is going well, I've arranged for a grief counseller for him and I've also seen one myself (funny story - the counseller was so upset he was crying and I was comforting him...). The 30 minute tidy hasn't gone so well - and to be honest I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. What will be will be and what wont - wont.
ReplyDeleteI am actually doing a 'Heal your life' workshop which I think is a bit more important at the moment. I am very luck I have the an amazing support network.
thanks so much for your suport.
Cheers
Rita
Rita, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your sister. You are definitely a strong person to still be looking for the positive things and to be able to reach out when you need it, and also to provide support for your father. I hope that the changes you are making helps to take some pressure off the other areas in your life...a cleaning lady sounds great!! Beth (from Stay Calm and Carry On)
ReplyDelete