To think there must be more to life than working all week and then spending the weekend doing housework and chores?

[DBD1975]

Please don't get me wrong I watch the news and count my blessings.

I have a roof over my head, food on the table, running water and electricity and, whilst we have a very modest lifestyle, my partner and I can pay the bills and we aren't struggling to make ends meet (unlike a lot of people who are a lot less fortunate).

However, I have a very busy and pressurised job which takes up my time and energy during the week so household chores tend to get left until the weekend.

I have spent the majority of this weekend doing housework as shower room needed a deep clean as did the bathroom and kitchen. General tidying up in other rooms (small 3 bedroom house).

Loads of washing, sorting out the airing cupboard and now faced with a pile of ironing.

The drudgery just seems never ending as, due to some health issues, housework, chores and cooking take me longer to do.

My partner does his bit but works harder than me during the week and also has caring responsibilities for a parent so doesn't have a lot of time at the weekend.

Am I being unreasonable to think there must be more to life than this?

Genuinely interested as well in any labour saving hacks or electrical appliances which have taken the hard work out of housework for you.

My best purchase has been a robotic hoover which means the house gets hoovered every day which has made a huge difference. We couldn't justify the cost of a cleaner as when I last looked into this they wanted £20 an hour, which is roughly what I earn per hour (after tax).

I spin everything on 400 or 600 and hang it to dry. I no longer iron duvet covers.

Decluttering is a game changer - which is ultimately making space to clean efficiently. Doing little and often rather than an entire weekend. That’s so much and yes, it is depressing after working all week.

Don't iron, ever. It makes no difference.

Have one weekend day when you do housework, and one where you don't, ever. Plan something fun and go and do it.

Try to get in the habit of doing one chore when you get in on weekdays - tell yourself you'll work for 20 min or whatever and then you can sit down / have a drink / whatever. Think of it as part of the working day - in the door, knock off a couple of chores while you're still in get-stuff-done mode, then relax. Then there's less left at the weekend.