How I increased my motivation for housework

Wow it has been so long! I feel bad that I got all this desire to work on my Ditching Daycare, and then it went flat for awhile, without any warning! It feels bad, but in the middle of it, I had no way of just picking it all back up. Let me explain!

We found out I'm pregnant and expecting our second baby boy! We knew right about when I was starting this blog, and my Etsy shop. I thought that since my morning sickness wasn't too bad, I'd be able to just get this all up and going! But as many mothers know, the first trimester is not always predictable, and while I wasn't too nauseous, I was WAY tired. All. The. Time. Yuck! Getting on the computer to type was too much. So I thought I would come up with loads of ideas for articles! And I did! Many have been composed in my brain... my pregnant brain, do you see where I'm going? Not the best idea! Pregnancy brain is a real malady.

Now I'm feeling much better, and my motivation is going through the roof! But where do I pick up all the strings? Right here. Explaining how I got more organized in my to do lists for myself!

How I Increased my Motivation for Housework!

During the whole beginning of pregnancy I lost a lot of motivation for housework - mainly laundry. Man, I can be so bad at doing laundry. Not putting it in the machines, but rather putting all the clean laundry away. I'd do a weeks worth of laundry and it would sit in the basket until the next week when I'd finally put it away, wrinkles and all. Not exactly the esteem boosting system.

So I decided I needed to change my tactic. Having laundry checked off my to do list just from putting it through the machines was not enough. Not to mention how little I did the dishwasher... I needed an overhaul of my system! That's when I came across a time management method that I thought I could try, but I modified it to my preferences.

I made a weekly calendar that has pockets for what chores need to be done. They can slide along the pockets for ones that are everyday things. I made a list of my everyday chores (like the dishwasher loading and unloading) and ones I want to do once a week (laundry, vacuuming, menu planning, etc), and then the ones that are monthly as well (budget). I organize what I will get done everyday for the week, and put them in the calendar. I hung this in my kitchen so I can always look at it in the morning. Let me tell you, I don't always get everything done, but it has been a real game changer with laundry and the dishwasher which were my biggest concerns when I started.

I made rules for myself, that are completely personal to you, and you can adopt them if you wish, but it is really what will help you! One rule is that laundry doesn't count as being put through the machines. it only counts after I have folded and put it away. Little things like that keep it being useful.  Also, if you notice, I only have one task on Monday, it's because I know that I go grocery shopping every Monday. So I meal plan, and shop and do the dishwasher, and know that I'll be tired out. Fit this method to your own schedule!

Another thing that has helped me is I break the tasks up into 15-minute time intervals (hence the multiple laundry tags) for most and 30-minute time intervals for planning items (menu planning, budgeting). I set a timer as I start the task, and I stop when it goes off. This way I don't distract myself during the task, and I'm more productive. I put the timer on my phone so if I try to pick it up and look at something else (hello, pinterest!) I see the timer and get back on track. I'm fully aware that I'm highly distractible, and I work with that. Work with where you are, and make this system work for you!

How have you found motivation to do the housework? I'd love to hear!