Effective Homemaking | Forming the Right Habits
Today I want to discuss Effective Homemaking and Forming the Right Habits as part of The Art of Homemaking Series.
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The Art of Homemaking is much more than just romantic view point on the homemakers life. Today I want to discuss the practical side. As this is an actual duty that many us strive to do every single day. On the topic of effectiveness the idea of habit came to mind.
Creating the right habits is a key aspect of running a home.
Habits are defined as a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
Habits strongly drive our days whether they are good or bad. Procrastination is a habit just the same as regularly sorting the mail. When you create good habits, it will immediately improve your effectiveness.
If we looked at the definition a little more closely it might reveal to us a major truth about our own daily practices. We might see those bad habits we have formed. For instance, things we avoid.
Recently, I reflected on my homemaking. One thing I realized about myself is that I hate to clean the bathrooms and was doing it minimally. I left it to once a week. Though that may seem like enough, this is our main bathroom where we shower and where guests come. It needs frequent attention. I had created a bad habit of avoiding it.
I can tell you that since working to break this habit, I feel better about this space. Even with the added work of coming in and cleaning more frequently, this somehow made this chore less dreadful.
“And actually, it’s not repetition that creates habits. It’s emotions that create habits.”
Rangan Chatterjee
I believe this to be true. We tend to look for what is comfortable versus what is unpleasant. Which creates those bad habits. The same can be said when we create good habits. They feel good, give us a boost and feel pleasant when done. So we keep doing them.
Habits To Consider
- Some effective habits that have helped me be more effective include:
- Cleaning the kitchen every single night before bed.
- Putting things where they belong when not in use.
- Cleaning everyday not just on designated days.
- Making my bed everyday.
- Having a set dinner time.
- Making a list of daily tasks each morning in order of importance. Cross them off as you go through them during the day.
Some Tips For Creating New Habits
Will Durant writes “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit. Psychologists say it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit.
Don’t try to start several at once. Forming even one habit takes time. Adopt one and force yourself to stick to it for two weeks. See what changes come about. Be observant. If there is improvement, then you know it is a habit to stick to.
Make the new habit an absolute. Don’t allow yourself to be talked out of it or let those excuses for not accomplishing it to come into your mind. Be strict with the new habit. And lastly acknowledge how they make you feel after you complete them. The feeling is what will motivate you to continue creating the habit.
Edith Schaeffer writes “All art involves conscious discipline. If one is going to paint, do sculpture, design a building or write a book, it will involve discipline in time and energy — or there would never be any production at all to be seen, felt or enjoyed by ourselves or others.
The Hidden Art of Homemaking, Edith Schaeffer
To develop ‘Hidden Art’ will also, of course, take time and energy – and the balance of the use of time is a constant individual problem for all of us: what to do, and what to leave undone. One is always having to neglect one thing in order to give precedence to something else. The question is one of priorities”
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