I beat myself up every. single. day. I constantly am belittling myself about the state of my home. The idea of company just showing up makes me want to gouge my eyes out. I actually cried once because my sister in law showed up unannounced and my house was a disaster. That is the truth of the matter. I spent a good 5 or so years just feeling hopeless. But I started to make changes. I have (little by little) started fixing things. Days like today when you get lots done (floors, back hall, laundry, dishes), sometimes make days where you only have 15 minutes seem like so little. I can’t get anything done in 15 minutes, so why bother?? I have to remind myself: Don’t let the good days make the others bad.
Some practical changes I made: I made a list of 20 chores that I can do in under 30 seconds and I keep it in my kitchen inside a cupboard I actually use lots. Right on the door. On the opposite door, I made a breakdown of my home chores, and how long each takes (ie. bathroom-20 minutes). So when I have the 15, I can look, find one, and do it.
Then I did the declutter slowly. I started with boxes. One by one each day for a month Chad and I went through boxes in our basement. One box, collect one bag of garbage, and one bag of goodwill. It is shocking how much you can get rid of! This was our “couple” chore, and we did it every single day. Even if the dishes had to wait, this chore was priority for a month.
Next I started weekly projects. This week, I cleaned off on top of my fridge. I have been putting it off forever, and it literally only took me 15 minutes. Some projects are repeated (like fridge/closets) some were a one time organize (pantry)
I never give myself more than one project a week so that I don’t get overwhelmed.
If I am watching TV, I try to do one chore during commercials (ie. grab a safeway bag, run around and pick up garbage in the room I am in)
My house is still messy, but I can see order to my chaos now 
I can clean faster, and I don’t have those pesky guilt chores hanging over my head.
The last thing I had to learn is that that you CAN NOT let yourself give up on you. Period. I cry sometimes because I have 4 kids under eight, hubby works out of town sometimes, I run my business, and now I am going back to work. I feel like a failure because my friggin living room is a mess. What is wrong with me?? I don’t know. But what I DO know tonight is that the top of my fridge is clean.
And for today, that is good.
(Here is my 30 second list by the way)
1. Empty the bathroom garbages
2. Dust the TV top and screen
3. Clean a mirror
4. Wipe down the front of the stove and fridge
5. Change the towels in the kitchen or bathrooms
6. Dust the fireplace
7. Dust the ceiling fan
8. Wipe down the trash can.
9. Toss junk mail, old magazines, paper crap on counter
10. Wipe down a countertop
11. Wipe the extras – Light switches, door knobs, remotes, coffee tables
12. Throw everything that is outdated out from the fridge
13. Sweep the front entrance.
14. Grab cans/bottles and throw into blue bag
15. Bring dishes from around the house to the kitchen.
16. Clear a clutter catching area
17. Wash a window
18. Clear computer desk
19. Empty garbage
20. Throw laundry of one room into basket
Catholic Momma 