Why I Need to be Freed From Housecleaning, by Mel

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A whole year of housecleaning would be great for my mental health and my marriage. I might even go so far as to say it would be life changing. For the past several days I’ve been cleaning and straightening, cleaning and straightening. And I’m over it.

Cleaning is a catch-22 for me because I’m anal and I LOVE a nice clean house, but I don’t like to clean. When the house is clean I can relax. Clutter makes me jittery, anxious and distracted. Even if I’m reading or watching TV, if the house isn’t clean I’m not completely relaxed because my sitting down is time I’m not spending cleaning. And then I feel guilty so I straighten. Then I get angry because cleaning is kind of a time waster.

When I think of all the hours I’ve spent scrubbing, dusting, wiping, sweeping and vacuuming I get sad for the time I’ve lost. Those are hours I’ll never get back and I could have enjoyed them so much more! I could have relaxed with my family. I could have read all the books in my ‘to be read’ pile (which, at last count, has ??? titles). I could have watched more academy award nominees. I could have started my scrapbook (well, maybe not that). Point being I’ve spent hours maybe even days or weeks! doing something that makes me feel anxious, jittery, distracted, guilty, sad and angry.


Tonight I asked my husband if he would make a video explaining why he thought I deserved to win a year of housekeeping services from BidMyCleaning.com. I thought it would be nice to turn the blog over to him for a change.

His response? “Sure, just tell me what to say.”

I tried again. “Just talk about what you think winning would mean to me.”

“My brain doesn’t work that way. I need a script. Have Drama Kid do it.”

Oh, hell, forget it. I’ll do it myself.

That anecdote perfectly sums up why I need this. Because it seems that most days, if something needs cleaning I do it myself. That’s not to say my two boys aren’t helpful. They are. But if someone were to ask all the members of my household “who here has ever scrubbed the toilets?” I feel confident I’d be the only one raising my hand. Cleaning just isn’t that important to them. But it is to me so I take on the bulk of it. And back comes the anger and sadness but this time there’s a little bitterness and bitchy mixed in.

So let’s recap: angry, sad, jittery, anxious, distracted, guilty, bitchy and bitter. That’s one hell of an emotional roller coaster. I love roller coasters but this one has me tired and I’m ready to get off. I’ll still clean because hi, nice to meet you, I’m anal. But knowing that once a month someone will be coming to help me would take such a weight off. I could legitimately relax. And a relaxed mommy is a happy mommy. A relaxed wife is more likely to put out (Shut up. You know it’s true).

I need this. My family needs this. Free me from housecleaning. Please.


You can enter too. Rules and info here. (photo from here)

9 comments:

  1. Mel, another wonderfully written post. I'm so grateful that you are participating in our 'Maid For Me' contest!

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  2. I love this part:

    “My brain doesn’t work that way. I need a script. Have Drama Kid do it.”

    HaHa!!!!!

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  3. I love this. I think I need to enter too, but I am too busy cleaning. LOL

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  4. I feel the same way about cleaning you do. I hope you win!

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  5. I'm like you, I hate to clean but love when it is.
    Oh, and I gave you an award today.

    http://spoonfullofsarah.blogspot.com/2009/02/id-like-to-thank-acadamy.html

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  6. Ooh, an entire YEAR? Dude, that's awesome. Good luck.

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  7. I love a clean house and actually kinda like cleaning. It's the getting started that's hard for me. I had to shake my head at your husband. Men can be funny sometimes. Good luck. I hope you win

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  8. Good luck! I think just about all of us moms ride this same roller coaster.

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  9. I am so STOKED that you won this! :)

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