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Original poster

Housework or self care ?

18 replies

Prioritiess · 18/03/2021 19:23

I have a very rare 2-3 hours tomorrow with childcare. I arranged this because my house is an absolute tip.
I have tidying and cleaning to do. Floors to mop. Clothes to wash and dry / fold
Need to sugar soap a room to decorate next week
Paperwork to do
Etc etc etc

But I’m also exhausted. Today I’ve been thinking how I wish I could just have that time to have something to eat and drink, do my nails, relax a bit as I am just burnt out. But then the house will still be a state😥 I don’t know which to pick

OP posts:
Oodilallygolly · 18/03/2021 19:31

Self care definitely
House needs tidying but if you do tidying you’ll feel more burnt out and in even more need of some TLC

OverTheRainbow88 · 18/03/2021 19:35

I would do a mad hour whip around the house and then chill. If I just tried to chill I would feel guilty about the house so defo would do some house work first

bonitasi · 18/03/2021 19:36

I think you will have to try do the cleaning in say 2 hours set yourself a timer ? And try and get an hour self care . If you don't clean the house your mind will be cluttered and you won't be able to enjoy the self care with that hanging over you.

beela · 18/03/2021 19:37

Tidy one room for half an hour, and then sit in it and admire it for the rest of your child free time.

HavelockVetinari · 18/03/2021 19:37

Definitely do set a timer - use the first half for housework and the second for self care. Otherwise you'll be eaten up with guilt and won't really enjoy your time off (and you'll still have a shit-tip of a house).

AnotherEmma · 18/03/2021 19:39

Are you a single parent?

Your to-do list is too long to achieve all that in 2-3 hours, anyway. So I agree with PP that you should spend 1 hour MAX doing the priority jobs and then 1-2 hours relaxing.

Katrinawaves · 18/03/2021 19:40

Maybe put a wash on overnight so it can do in dryer first thing tomorrow and clean your bathroom at the same time as you have a bedtime bath. Then tomorrow do an hour’s essential housework whilst the kids are out and spend the remainder of the time chilling. Or book the childcare for an extra hour perhaps? Or book a cleaner for a few hours to give yourself a break?

Charles11 · 18/03/2021 19:41

Tidying up will contribute towards self care.
You’ll feel better then, if you can do short bursts regularly, you’ll hopefully have more future time to self care by being less stressed by housework.

Loveacheekysausage · 18/03/2021 19:41

I’d see if I could get cleaners in, appreciate short notice, but for an hour they’d do loads. Then you’ve got 2 hours to relax 😉

YetAnotherWalk · 18/03/2021 19:52

I'd put the washing machine on and clean like mad for an hour - you can sweep and mop in that time and probably wash down walls depending on how big the room is. Then flop knowing that you've been productive.

I agree that the list is too much for doing in one go anyway, so likely to set yourself up to fail I know because that's what I'm like too

Notaroadrunner · 18/03/2021 19:55

Do half and half. If you don't do any cleaning it will still need doing which will add to your stress.

bellsbuss · 18/03/2021 19:59

I would start it now whilst your child is asleep, do the kitchen and bathroom tonight and if you have the energy the sugar soaping. I know if it was me I couldn't enjoy self care if my house was a muddle.

Chunkymenrock · 18/03/2021 20:02

I'd do 2 hrs house and the rest relaxing. I can't think straight or feel in control when the house is a tip. You'll feel better for getting on top of it.

Original poster
Prioritiess · 18/03/2021 20:05

This is the problem I feel like a messy house makes me feel rubbish but then I’m so exhausted and just need to feel better.
I think I’m going to do what someone advised - stick washing on overnight and clean the bathroom tonight. I’m tempted to try and do some jobs tonight whilst the little ones are asleep so that i feel I’ve got a head start in the morning

OP posts:
Wispygypsy · 18/03/2021 20:08

I have had this dilemma before and I stayed up really REALLLY late the night before, getting everything done apart from hoovering!
In the morning I got up, did the nursery run and came back and hovered. I then spent the rest of the morning on the sofa under a blanket eating toast and watching morning tv. It was incredible.

Original poster
Prioritiess · 18/03/2021 20:09

@Wispygypsy

I have had this dilemma before and I stayed up really REALLLY late the night before, getting everything done apart from hoovering! In the morning I got up, did the nursery run and came back and hovered. I then spent the rest of the morning on the sofa under a blanket eating toast and watching morning tv. It was incredible.
I feel like this is what I will end up doing a late night tonight just to be able to rest a bit tomorrow!
OP posts:
Katjolo · 18/03/2021 21:00

Half and half

Wispygypsy · 19/03/2021 20:30

Did you manage some 'me time'?

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