I've been meandering around in the archives and cross-referencing statistics, and this is one of our highest sources of search engine traffic: the query "Motivation to Clean."
Apparently over the years there have been good conversations here about the subject. Neat!
However, I would like to offer my contribution:
I have no motivation whatsoever to clean.
In fact, my constant refrain of "I don't cook, I don't clean, I don't care" was featured on a postcard.
I'm fairly obsessive and keep my own stuff tidy, and when my children were young they were fed. I can organise and host massive parties. But other than that? I'm not domestic. I truly do not care - and I do not consider housework my job, or even my share of the family burden.
It just isn't my thing. I'm better at filling in forms, and going to the post office. I'm awesome for anything related to planning and procedures. And I am the mightiest ally you could imagine if you need to deal with a bureaucracy, anywhere in the world.
Dishes? Laundry? Dusting? Eh. No.
Yeah... when I was working from home half days (and in office the other half) with little kids, my boss commented that it takes a certain type to successfully work from home. I looked him in the eye and said, 'I use work as a way to get out of doing chores like cleaning.' No joke, it's so true, it's not even funny.
Why clean? I could be on the computer getting paid! (or at least on the computer, messing around with settings on hipmama). Work for money (or at least on the computer) vs. work that's not? WOO, MONEY (and computers)! Also, being on the computer is fun and scrubbing cabinets, floors, dishes, clothes, furniture is not. In any way.
"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library
Totally. I am convinced that all tasks related to the computer counts as "work" even when it is technically "skiving."
When the younger child was obsessed with PG Wodehouse I found chores more entertaining, because I could tune in to that whole fictional world. But over here in reality, I don't have a butler! No fair!
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*Clearly* being on the computer constitutes work. I'm completely unclear how I would have earned the title 'workaholic' otherwise. Half the time I'm just checking out how much further the outer bounds of the internet have gotten since the last time I looked. *duh*!
AND, it's environmentally conscious because I read a ridiculous amount! It shocks me how fast I can still go through books, and the amount of trees I've saved by reading the internet instead is probably acres upon acres of scarce Amazon (or PNW) rainforest. Please don't tell Aberdeen. Shhhhhh! It'll be our little sekrit!
"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library
Me too! Shhh!!
Yesterday during my 14 or so hours of "work" in which I accomplished "very little" I managed to do a vast amount of research about Princess Bibesco, aka Elizabeth Asquith. Excessively entertaining to ME, at least!
Is the weather in Seattle as bad as everywhere else? We're in the 80's this week (though I have half learned celcius, so I am just more confused) and it is punishing. This is not a country built for hot weather.
My solution for a messy kitchen is normally just to close the door, but this place is open plan! If I want to sit in the living room I am compelled to clean the kitchen! Oh the horror!
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It is mild & temperate here. Srsly? Sad Keanu has been the story of our summer here...
"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library
Oh no! Why is Keanu sad?
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He's sitting in a puddle!
Sad Keanu is sad, redundant statement is redundant...
"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library
So many things go right over my head!
Our heat wave continues. I think I might be boiling.
We were prostrate on the living room floor a few hours ago and Byron noted that someone really should clean under the couch.
Um, yeah.... right.... or we could just refrain from looking under the couch!
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Well to add to the motivation to clean (other than inviting people over several times a week)...I just discovered using a timer. My problem has been that when I try to clean, I do so for a minute then get distracted but more important things. Now I use a timer. If I want to clean the kitchen (luckily mine is small), I set the timer for 20 minutes and set a goal to have it done my then. So then I am racing the clock and when I start to get distracted I look at the timer and go "oh, crap, I've only got 8 minutes!" and get back to it... and I am not wasting more that 20 minutes cleaning. I do it with every room. Sometimes I write a list of rooms and how many minutes I need to spend in each if I think I have an hour or so to clean in a day. It has been working for several months.
Inviting people to visit is the only thing that ever works for me! Knowing that there will be a repair person coming is even better. I will get down on my hands and knees and scrub the bathroom with a toothbrush if a plumber is on the way. Just for me? Can't be bothered to kick towels aside, usually.
I've tried timers but they just startle me. One substitute that I can sometimes trick myself with is old time radio programs... especially silly mysteries like Paul Temple. Not sure if they have that in the states? But they are super goofy and each instalment usually lasts about thirty minutes, so I can begrudgingly tidy an entire room before it is time to switch to the next episode....
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