It’s Spring and the pages of women’s magazines and websites are probably covering the topics of organization and cleaning with mind-numbing zealotry. My reaction this year is DON’T. Just don’t buy into it. As Nicole and Maggie at Grumpy Rumblings said at some point, living in squalor is a good thing. They probably did a post about this but I’m too lazy to link it.
Much as I try to embrace my inner messy teenager, I usually do let things like dirty floors and dishes in the sink get to me. So I get very proud of myself whenever I’m able to ignore the mess, even if it’s only for a 30-minute stretch here and there over a weekend, in-between bursts of cleaning.
This past weekend, I was feeding my kids and doing nothing else. I didn’t check emails. I ignored a sink full of dishes, a countertop covered with plates and cans, a full trash can, mystery spots on the kitchen floor and a dirty stovetop. That’s when I remind myself that nothing is more important than enjoying parenthood (and for those without kids, enjoying life).
Of course, after feeding time, I did clean the sink a little and put some stuff away. My husband took out the trash and emptied the dishwasher. I folded tons of laundry. We did tons of “stuff” that don’t make it on a to-do list but needs to get done. I just wasn’t about to go that extra mile to make our home into my Martha Stewart fantasy. I bet that even Martha lived in squalor when her kid (or kids?) were young!
Do you do spring cleaning? Are women cleaning while men focus on fun and/or career-development?
