As you probably know by now, I am eat up with fitness – reading about it, talking about it and actually just doing it (insert Nike swoosh here). No problems in this arena. I’ve got it dialed in nicely, thank you. Laundry, vacuuming, dusting and just keeping dirty dishes out of the sink…not so much. To quote one of my favorite period flicks, A Knight’s Tale, “I have been weighed, I have been measured, and I absolutley have been found wanting.” Big time.
Since becoming a mom I’ve been told it’s all about this elusive goal we call balance. I’m sure you’ve heard it too. It’s a term that gets tossed around everywhere these days, and everyone seems to be on board with it. But my question is – is anybody really doing it? I’m not sure, but I don’t think so. Balance is the equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster loitering at the bus stop. Although I’m not dismissing mythical creatures (because I think they are totally cool), the probability of an actual sighting is low. Really low from conversations I’ve had with other moms out there. At least that’s what I tell myself as I examine the enormous heap of garments trespassing on my closet floor. I can tell you with 100% confidence that Nessie ain’t in there.
So if no one else is accomplishing this so-called balance, then how can I be expected to? Turns out that argument is a total cop-out. I may not be able to obtain exact equilibrium, but I can surely get my home life together enough to have clean socks on hand for people. Yesterday I learned that my daughter has resorted to wearing “what she can find” which has been only 1 sock at a time. That’s right. 2 boots, 1 sock. A little sketchy for winter in a snowy state, Mom. We all know that socks are a laundering anomaly, but that warrants a separate post entirely, and it’s still no excuse.
The point I’m trying to make is that I don’t need to morph into some heroic housekeeper. I do however, need to clean up my act. Literally. No more dishes in the sink ALL the time. No more dog hair so thick on the carpet that it’s crawling up your pants. No! No more! I’m not big on resolutions, but I have got to do something here! My new plan for this year is as follows:
1. Remember to not only put the soap in, but actually TURN ON the dishwasher at night.
2. Unload the dishwasher and put in a load of laundry before leaving the house in the morning. I have taken the liberty of timing this process and it’s under 5 minutes. Wow.
3. Load the dishwasher with dirty dishes as the day progresses. Duh.
4. Stop the endless and unnecessary dish soaking in the attempt to avoid #3.
5. Quit taking advantage of my kitchen counter’s ability to hide dirt, and wipe it down on a regular basis.
5. Vaccuum the main floor once a week.
6. Manage SOMEHOW to remember to transfer the washed clothes into the dryer.
7. Resist the urge to let the anti-wrinkle cycle and accompanying buzzer continue ALL DAY LONG.
If you’re a regular reader, then you know that I’m all about baby steps. I think 7 paces should do it for now. But wait…Shhhhh. Gotta go. I think I hear bagpipes downstairs.
What is your definition of balance? I’d love to hear how you manage it all!