Need a Zen life please!

[mummybookworm]

Mid thirties single working mum to dd would like advice on how to achieve the following (working Monday-Thursday 9-4ish):

Cleanish and tidy (not spotless, but just clean enough) house day by day;
Ironing always up to date and put away;
Feeling of sereneness as one floats around the house feeling that all efforts are, indeed, effortless.

Today, my colleague and I observed another colleague who we feel, frankly, is perfect (although I bet she doesn't have kids!) and it got me thinking about my chaotic life.

My colleague carries herself with such serenity and grace, she is calm, efficient, authoritative, and approx size 8-10. Her deportment is flawless. I can imagine that her home is immaculate, that she will have a lovely partner, that she eats a sparrow sized portion of breakfast lunch and dinner every day and feels satisfied, that she eats 5 a day, every day, plus drinks 2 litres of water per day every day and that she can perform all manner of yoga positions in her sleep.

In contrast, I am 5'3, rather overweight, appalling deportment, house is not immaculate (although I concede, it could be much much much worse), and I race around at work like Ruby Wax on speed.

Any advice gratefully received!

Thank you for reading.

don't compare your inside with other peoples outstides

bet she's got no sense of humour and is really crap in bed

has that helped a bit

He he. Yes it has helped, thank you basking

Get a cleaner. Honestly, it's like having Christmas every week. They are worth several hours' worth of your pay - it's like delegating, the key to all successful management systems.

She probably looks over at you and your friend and thinks, they are always having a laugh.
I wish I could join in but I still have a portion of veg and a half litre to drink before lunch. If I put on any weight my controlling pretentious boyfriend will leave me and it will just be me and my cat

checks prodomiter to make sure she has done her 10000 steps

I used to compare the state of my house to a friends, until she invited me upstairs to pick something up and I realised the perfect home stopped at the landing. It's easier to look at others and see their good points than it is to do it with ourselves and the grass always looks greener in other peoples lives.

Try asking yourself what your strengths are and take a good look at your routine, how could you save time? I found little things like getting a dishmatique scrubber, so I could wash a couple of dishes while waiting for the kettle to boil (though I wish I could get a dishwasher instead!) and having a quick glimpse around for things that should be in another room when I'm going in there, helped me stay on top of things.

How old are the kids, are there any jobs they could help with around the house?